Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-19
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l don't know what I was thinking of as came into my dressing-room, that used to be Gray's-the sight of him seemed to cut me of from myself as with knife-but it wasn't of him.
 It may have been that was chuckling to myself at the thought of Nancy Olden with dressing-room all to herself. I can't ever quite get used to that, you know, though I sail around there with all the airs of the leading lady. Sometimes I see a twinkle in Fred Obermuller's eye when I catch him watching me, and goodness knows he's been glum enough l of late, but it wasn't
 l Yes, I'm going to tell you, but-it's rattled me bit, Maggie. I'm ,so-so sorry, and little-oh just little, little bit glad!
 I'd slammed the door behind me the old place is out of repair and the door won't shut except with bang and I had just squatted down on the flood to unbutton my high shoes, when I noticed the chintz curtains in front of the high dressing-box waver They must have moved just like that when I was behind them months-it seems years-ago. But, you see, Topham had never served an appren- ticeship behind curtains so he didn't suspect.
 "Lordy, Nancy" I laughed to my self, some one thinks you've got a rose diamond and"
 And at that moment he parted the curtains and came out.
 Yes-Tom-Tom Dorgan. My heart came beating up to my throat and then, just as I thought I should choke. it slid down to my boots, sickening me. I didn't say a word sat there, my foot in my lap, staring at him.
 Oh, Maggie-girl, it isn't good to get your first glimpse after all these months of the man you love crouched like big bull in small space, polk Ing his close-cropped black head out like turtle that's not sure something won't be thrown at it. and then drag ging his big bulk out and standing over you. He used to be trim-Tom- and taut, but in those shapeless things, the old trousers, the dirty white shirt, and the vest too big for aim
 Well" he said, "why don't you say ,omething?"
 Toms voice-Mag. do you remem- yer, the merry Irish boys voice. with ts chuckles like brook gurgling as t runs?
 No-'tisn't the same voice. It's t's changed, Maggie. It's heavy and -and coarse-and-brutal. That's what it is. It sounds like-like the rnout. like
 'Nance-what in hell's-"
 "I think rm-frigntened. Tom"
 "oh, the ladyfied airs of her! Ain't rou going to faint, Miss Olden?"
 got up.
 ''No-no. Sit down, Tom. Tell me .bout it. How-how did you get lere?"
 He went to the door, opened it bit md looked out cautiously. Mag-Mag it hurt me-that. Why, do you nppose?
 You're sure nobodyll come in?" he sked.
 turned tn. key in the lock, for getting that it didn't really lock.
 "oh, yes, Pm sure," said. 'Why?"
 Why! You have got slow. Just because I didn't say good-by to them fellows up at the pen, and"
 'Oh! You've escaped!"
 That's what First jail-break in IS years. What dye think of your Tommy, old girl, eh? Ain't he the gamest? Ain't you proud of him?"
 My God. Mag. Proud of him. He didn't know-he couldn't see-hirnself. He, shut in like wild beast, couldn't see what this year has done for him. Oh, the change-the change in him! My boy Tommy. with the gay. gallus manner. and the pretty, jolly brogue. and the laughing mouth under his brown mustache. And this man-his face is old. Mag. old-ohi-and hard -and-and tough, cheap and tough. There's something in his eyes now and about his shayen mouth-oh. Maggie. Maggie,
 Look here. Nance" He caught me by the shoulders. knocking up my chin so that he could look down squarely at me. Whats your graft? What's it to be between US? what've ye been doing all this time? Out with it I want to know"
 shook myself free and faced him.
 I've been-Tom Dorgan- I've been to hear the greatest actors and actresses in the world say and do the finest things in the world. I've watched princesses and kings-even if they're only stage ones. I've read a new book every nieht-a great pie ture book in which the pictures move and speak-thzt's the stage. Tom Dorgan- Much of if wasn't true. but a girl who's been brought up by the Cruelty doesn't have to be told what's true and what's false I've met these people and lived with them-ss one does who thinks the same thoughts and feels what others feel I know the world now. Tom DOrgan. the real world of men and romen-not the little world of crooks. nor ret the lit- tier one of fairy stories I've got a glimpse. too. of that other world where all the schemine and lying and cheating is changed as if by magic