The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-06

 She was not Frenchwoman. and therefore Paris was anxious to see her, and if necessary, disapprove of her play.
 All eyes were turned on the new comeds as they took their seats in the box. Laura Tankerlane in the middle, and the two men on each side of her. Tankerlane smiled grimly as he saw the opera glasses turned on them, and kept in position for longer space thancourtesy or even curiosity demand ed. fiedce joy seized him as he saw the eager looks of the men and the envious glances of the women He had paid price for his wife--a price that was not to be reckoned in sovereigns. but in moments like these he was re- paid
 It mattered nothing to him that he recognized two or three acquaintances in the house. He knew well enough that they would wonder ss,aat relation he bore to the beautiful woman by his side. But he did not care what they thought. Their curiosity would remain unsatis- fled
 Laura was not in the Feast discompos- ed by the amount of attention she re- ceiyed. Her indifference showed very plainly the change that her nature had
 
 It was hard to believe that the daughter of simple farmer could sit unmoved with the etyes of fashionable Paris staring in at her. But she returned their stare with well-bred composure, and took in all details of the women's dresses and jewels, as though she were examining row of fashion plates. Un- demthe ordinary circumstances such a feat would have been the result of years of training. But there are mo- ments In our lives which count for more in the moulding of character than many years.
 When the piece commenced, she turn ed her attention to the stage The play was a modern drama, we'll written, wig orous, an artistic combination of light and shade. Ten minutes afteI the rise of the curtain. fha CnxsAteese de I & Fiji pleyed by the new American actress. was announced, and a rustic of expec- tation ran through the huse. As she entered, there was a burst of applause --the generous reorganization given by a Partisan audience to foreigner.
 Laura Tankerlanes glasses were fix ed on the face of Mademoiselle Jackson, and she did not notice that her husband who had been leaning forward over the edge of the box, had suddenly started to an upright position, and had then leant beck so that his face hidden from the stage.
 The first impression of the new ac- tress, who was expected to take Paris by storm, was atrifIe disappointing to an audience accustomed to distinction, if not actual beauty, in the appearance of it's favorites. She was small, almost insignificant of stature, and her face was not in any way remarkable for it's loveliness. Her hair and eyes were the most noticeable features. The hair A..x. a.. k. Ina eyes we're very large and brilliant, combination of qualities that is rarely found, for large eyes are generally dull aud lustreless, and keen. piercing eyes are usually small. But In spite of these two redeeming features, the general opinion was decidedly against Made moiselle Jackson. and the applause died away very suddenly as she came into full view of the audience.
 What miteT whispered Lord Port nngton, Poor little thing"
 Mrs. Tankerlane did not reply. Heir glasses were still levelled on the girls face. The great eyes fascinated her. For a second they rested on the box in which they sat, and in that second Mrs. Tankerlane felt that this little actress had read all the story of her life. She shivered, and then leant back in her chair And then she noticed that her husband was not looking at the stage. She smiled. It was hardly likely that Mademoiselle Jackson would rivet the attention of man like William Tank erlane.
 Yet before ten minutes had elapsed, this fragile, Insignificant little woman had gripped her audience with So strong a hold that the whole house Seemed to vibrate to the words that came from her lips, and. before the first act was over. the critics realized that great genius had come into their midst.
 The first note of her voice broke the spell of indifference and even contempt with which her entrance had been greeted. It was wonderful voice, strong and resonant. and yet so per- fectly under control that its merest whisper was distinct Not a single re- fiection of it was lost on those who heard it.. It portrayed the mind and heart of the speaker as clearly as though all her thoughts and emotions had been written down on paper.
 Here" said Legage. the greatest dramatist of the century, 'is woman with soul. expect great things of this little one"
 And Legage was not disappointed. Mademoiselle Jackson did great things that night. It is a great thing for