Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR FEBRUARY "a. 1907

at home eating supper.
When the performance over / went back to
the hotel and 1 think really wanted to die The
manager Hanson came up to, my room and told me
just how bad had been, and he was pretty rough
about it too You see he lost everything he had,
and he was sore Besides that, he brute. He
swore at me for awhile, and then-then-well, he
struck me-"
The actress stopped talking and rubbed her hand
slowly across her eyes, if to shut out the memory
of that night twenty-five years before. Then she
glanced up at the young man standing at the fire.
place, looking down at her with grave, sympathetic
eyes
- He struck me here" the actress began again,
pointing to her shoulder near the throat and then
he left alone and went down stairs to talk to
your father about the play. He left me alone lying
the bed, hurt and bruised, and my heart
breaking. And there lay sobbing aloud and crying
friends had then-the college boys and the suppers
and everything loved You see 1 was really only
girl at the time, and hadn't quite got used to the
knocks and bumps that came later.
Il don't know how long lay there crying but
after time 1 heard the door open, and your
mother came in. She was very young and very
pretty. | had never met her, but she had been
pointed out to me as your fathers wife-Just
bride, she was then. She had the next room to
mine, and suppose she must have heard Hanson
swearing and then my sobs. She sat on the edge
of the bed and tried to comfort about the play,
and you can imagine it was pretty hard for her,
because she knew nothing about plays or actors
either, guess. And all the time she kept her hand
on the bruised place on my shoulder where Hanson
had struck just to pretend that she didn't notice
IT. Anyhow, L went 10 steep III ner arms, ana Wnen
l woke the next morning she and your father had
gone back to Selbyvile. They sent me some flowers
afterward, and l wrote letter to her; but l
them again.
Miss Cawthorne walked over to the window, and,
parting the lace curtains, stood for some moments
looking out on the scurrying snow1akes. Then she
turned back to her guest
And so, you see, - she said when heard them
gossiping about you at the theater, and l learned
who you were, wanted to meet you, because you
were the son of your mother and your father"
- And don't know how | aDDreCIate it ~ said
Brandt. Pm awfully sorry l spoke as did little
while ago about your talking of my friendship for
nice girl to me- don't know when have met any
one who was sweeter or better bred in every way
Miss Cawthorne nodded. You're quite right
Do you know her mother?
Il did meet her once, but 1T was just for moment
at the stage door It was 50 dark don't suppose
I'd know her again if l saw her"
While Brandt was talking, Miss Cawthorne leaned
against the window SASH looking down the
covered Streets entirely deserted for the black
cab at the door.
Look. Mr.. Brandt!' she said suddenly. cit is
clearing at last and the sun is really coming out.
Isn't it beautiful? don't suppose that you would
care to take me up to Miss Pages now, would YOU?
You see promised to loan her something for the
supper tonight, and I'm she would rather have
it before, she goes to the theater."
I'D be only too glad" said Brandt with enthusi-
asrn The electric can get us there in no time
AS they turned into West 4oth-st Brandt began
to recognize the houses he had heretofore only
at night when he had driven Miss Page home after
supper Now l begin to feel at home he said.
It's funny have never been here in the daylight
before, isn't it?"
Yes" replied Miss Cawthorne, lin way it is"
The cab stopped in front Of high brick apartment
house, and Brandt and Miss Cawthorne went up
into narrow vestbule and looked for Miss Pages
name under one of the many brass letter boxes.
They found it at last and in response to their ring
the catch of the front door, with its ornate window
of colored glass; clicked violently, and they pushed
on into dark, narrow hallway. Miss Cawthorne had