The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-12-27
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= ~ PAU {. WILLARD
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Copyright, By Daily STORY Pub CO..
0, Pul c. WILLARD

ed the coming OF the Hood Repertoire
company. headed by the young ro-
mantle actor Robert Wayne" Petit
coats rustled. lingerie switched and
swirled. and fans waved; the orohes'
ira played. and. at length. the curtain
rose on The Charity Ball" II was
the opening matinee and every WON.
an present waited anxiously for the
appearance OF the star as "Rey. John
Van Buren," Would he be handsome.
or had the Autographs lledi A door
opened. The leading man appeared.
CARRIED In simple black. and. In n
quiet modest manner. entered upon
the role OF the heroic clergyman.
Mods. smiles and nudges OF approval
passed from one maid 10 another as
the actors fine profile. erect figure
and clear voice were noted. but
Wayne seemed oblIylous 20 II all and
pursued his even way with the utmost
ingenuousness. Near the stage sat
dozen young ladies' from Miss Hards
seminary. fresh with tho gauzy lowell.
ness that clIngS round sweet glrlhood
In summer days. In the second act
Wayne Glanced 10 glance In the dIrec.
ton OF Miss Hard's young ladies' and.
as n penalty. almost missed one OF his
cues. For. with all his clerical make
up. his herolsm and self sacrifice.
white treadlng the mimic stage Rob.
ert Wayne was n man. a very suscept.
ible young man at that: and Miss
Mary Porter's admiring blue eyes had
looked into his In a way that was pos.
ltiyely startling. What a remark.
ably pretty facet"
Between acts two and three Wayne
studied the girls face through a peep
hole. Who is she7" he asked the
theater manager Name is Porter
One OF the seminary bunch. Sumner.
amt she?" In the third act he deter.
mined TO attend strictly 10 his work.
but. somehow. no fell from this re.
solve and was rewarded with another
warm glance OF admiration that
qulckened his heart. His hitherto alb.
sorbing ambition to reach the top Of
his profession began 20 fade and an.
other. a new. desire took possession
OF his throbblng brain. What were
eyanescent fame or sordid fortune
compared TO the vision that had sud.
denly grlpped his heart as nothing
had ever done before? He must. he
would. possess this girl.
The play was over and Rev. John
Van Buren, hurried TO HIS dressing
room and threw OF his ministerial
chrysalis. In few moments Robert
Wayne emerged. stick in hand. and
set on for a walk. He saw a group
OF ladies' waiting for a street car and
wondered II she might be among
them. Sure enough! As he passed
= saw her and. better STILL she saw
him. She knew him! and-yes. she
smiled upon him! The shackles were
complete; Wayne boarded the next
car and followed her.
The polished door plate and knock
err at Miss Hard's looked stern and
forbidding. Wayne stood on the oppo-
site side OF the street for fully ten
minutes and gazed across, while he
reviewed the events that had brought
him there and considered what would
be the best course TO pursue. How
might he communicate with the young
lady? He had an idea that boarding
schools for girls were governed by
srfa fhfu y.rgh-
ably make the task difficult. He might
write her, but. doubtless, the mail was
inspected and this might lead to
trouble. Or he might transmit a note
by bribing a servant. He rejected this
plan with indignation. Why should
he resort to any deception whatever?
Il have found" he remarked to him
self, that the best way to obtain what
one wants Is to ask for It," and, with
this observation, he crossed the street
and lifted the knocker.
The maid opened her eyes when the
young man inquired for the man
ager" and left him for five minutes
to trace the figures in the library car
pet with his cane; then Miss Hard APP
peared Wayne rose and in the cold
ness of Miss Hard's specialized blue
eyes he read lack of sympathy for
any appeal like his. Miss Hard
glanced at his card, then raised her
eyes to his inquiringly.
Il should like, II there is no objec-
tion," he began, ito have few min
utes conversation with Miss Porter
Upon what business?" Miss Hard
scrutinized him keenly. She had
warded off many attempts to approach
Miss Porter.
Pardon me-" explained Wayne,
but it is about a private-a personal
matter"
Miss Hard glanced at the card
again. You are an actor?"
Wayne flushed at her tone. 81 am
proud to say that | am"
when and where did you meet
Miss Porter?"
Il regret" responded Wayne, his
anger rising, that l have never had
the pleasure of meeting her. May l
see herr"
Miss Hards thin lips compressed
themselves into knowing smile. I'm
less you can give me some good rea-
son for wishing to see Miss Porter, to
whom you confess you are an utter
stranger, as you are also to me, can
not grant your request"
Very WE'LL" Wayne grasped his
hat and cane and moved toward the
door. Il suppose you will doubt me
when Il say that | am gentleman,
but | am one, believe, and | hoped
- hn raoaiyod oc c,nb ubap I nonn