The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-06-28
"THE PLAYS THE THING"
BY Emmett Campbell Hall


let you see. But you-is it real to
you?"
1t was his cue in the last act Of
THE Cottage and the studio that
she had unknowiugly spoken. but in
the stress Of his emotion he did not
notice It, Unconsciously, however
he took It up.
"Is IL real? How can you ask that,
sweetheart he cried. and pressed
the hand he held TO his llps. Cant
YOU see. feel, how great IS my love
for you, how great my need? Oh,
sweetheart l love YOU, love you! win
YOU not marry ne, darling?'
His arms were about her. and he
drew her gently toward him.
III could but know-only know"
she whispered, and they were the
lines that Jessie should speak.
Prove me as you viii, my darling
he urged, and tried to draw her closer
but the girl wronched herself free and
sprang TO her feet
There is no need to prove you fur.
ther; you are a good actor she said.
bitterly.
For a moment he gazed at her un.
comprehendingly, then the truth
burst upon him that he had been go.
ing through the scene, word for word,
of the parting in The Cottage and
the Studio"
But, how-how did you" he be-
gan. bewildered. but the girl walked
to the other end of the room.
please go away" she said. coldly,
and he rose unsteadily to his feet. 81
hope your rehearsal has been OF bene.
fit," she added, mockingly. as. with
downcast eyes he stumbled from her
preHence.
What could II mean? He asked
himself the question thousand times
thing stood out clearly. and that was
that he had lost her. the only girl he
had ever loved-that ,eshe regarded
him as one who would take advan
tage of pretended love to use girl
as a lay-hgure on which to hang the
tinsel rags of the stage.
Upon his arrival in New York he
found a call for a meeting of the new
company. to take place in a week He
threw the sheet from him with o
groan.
81 can't do IT," he cried. but the in.
stinct of the actor was strong in Mad.
den. and promptly at the hour named
in the call he entered the theater.
Kennedy, coatless. hot, and beam
ing, seized upon him.
Hello, old mani" he exclaimed,
joyously. Come on and meet the
bunch. Say, I've got the greatest
ever, and no paper-house I'm that,
either. If we don't make en- sit up
come on-here's our leading lady"
Madden turned, and looked into the
eyes of Elsie Proctor.
Miss Bates, this is Mr.. Marshall
Madden-excuse me, please!" he said.
and rushed away.
The girl held out her hand, anu
smiled
How are you, Mr.. Hampton" she
said, and laughed an uncertain little
laugh.
"You-you knew all the timer" he
gasped. Kennedy sent you to Paris.
toO-why, Oh, why didn't you tell me.
girl?" She could not but see the pain
in his eyes. and her own softened.
'It-did it matter, much?" she
asked.
NO, not to you. But to met has
taken all the gladness out of life for
me. OF course | will resign my part
in this company know what your
feelings must be at the bare sight OF
me, but | despise myself much more
than you can possibly he said, slow
ly, and turned away.
She came nearer to him, and laid
hand gently upon his arm.
please don't" she said softly.
"You-you want me to stay?" he
stammered, while a light of Joy
famed in his eyes.
Yes" she answered, so softly that
he could hardly catch the words. Il
think we could act that parting so
well, on the stage, dearest"
And inasmuch as they happened TO
be standing behind an opportune piece
of scenery, and the other members Of
the company were gathered about
Kennedy at the other side Of the
stage, no one saw what happened
then except the old janitor, and he
will never tell.