Free press., 1907-02-09
A Chapter From the Life of
q Famous Actress
BY c. R. SINS
CONTINUED FROM SEC TON ONE.

and went back to live with her mother, hop
thing of Jack; that he would let her know
where he was and give her the means of
months and still there came no sign, and
presently year had gone by and she was
stlli IN utter ignorance of her husbands
whereabouts.
She felt that he had treated her very
cruelty the shame was bad enough, the
even know if he was alive or dcad. At
last she made up her mind that he must be
drowned himself, perhaps-and this was the
reason that since the day of his fight the
silence had remained unbroken.
She wondered often what could have in
duced him to turn dishonest. She had never
asked for luxury, though she had accepted
always appeared quite contented and happy
in the days when they practiced economy.
Year succeeded year, and still news
came, and then Rose abandoned her last
hope and made up her mind that on this
side of the grave she would see her husband
no more. Then she determined to accept an
offer which she had from old friend of
her family, a wealthy widow named Mon
crieff and accept the position of a com
panion to her Roses mother had. died the
year previous, and she had no one to con-
slider but herself.
continental tour, and the change of scene
and the excitement would be the very best
thing possible for Mrs. Smedley, whose
health had suffered under the long harass
and suspense she had endured
On the evening that was to be her last
in the lodgings she had occupied since her
mothers death, she was busy packing her
boxes, when the landlady came up to say
that gentleman wished to her.
1t was so unusual for any one to call
upon Mrs. SmedIey that for a moment a
was Jack. But the hope was slain the
moment it was born, for the landlady added,
He says that his names Marlborough,
ma'am
''Tom Marlborough" said Rose to herself.
whatever can he want? 1 suppose he's
n heard that I'm going abroad and has come
She came down stairs to the parlor to
of great excitement.
you SO late" he explained. but I've only
just found out where you lived. I've some
Il know what it is" gasped Rose you've
seen Jack"
'Yes, I believe I have"
The next minute Tom had dashed out into
the hall and was yelling for the Iandlady.
Rose Smedley had fallen down in "a dead
faint
When the landlady and Tom between
calmer, Tom told his story.
He had been dining with some friends
some thirty miles from London and after
dinner they had made up party to go
to the local theater.
The piece was not up to much and the
company was only small travelling one, but
the voice of the man who played Of
the parts instantly arrested Toms atten-
ton. He listened and listened and the
more he listened the more the idea haunted
him that he was listening to Jack Smed-
ley.
He borrowed pair of opera glasses and
scrutinized the actor carefully, but the
makeup" effectually concealed the mans
real features. And yet there was a look
about the eyes and upper part of the face
that confirmed Toms impression that he
was in the presence of his long lost friend.
The actors name was given in the pro-
gram as 'Mr. ]. WILSON, AS soon as the
performance was over Tom made an excuse
to his friends and went round to the stage
door. He saw the stage doorkeeper and
asked if he could speak to Mr.. Wilson.
"I'll see. sir. What name?"
Say Mr. Marlborough"
The took the message and promptly
returned to say that ''Mr. Wilson was en-
gagged with the manager and could not see