The Mena weekly star., 1907-04-18
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Copyright, by Daily story Pub. co.l
By PAUL |. wiilsD
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company headed by the young TO. mantle actor Robert Wayne" Petit. coats rustled, lingerie switched and sWirled, and fans waved; the orches- era played and, at length, the curtain rose on The Charity Ball" It was the opening matinee and every wom. an present waited anxiously for the appearance of the star as Rev. John van Buren, Would he be handsome, or mad the Autographs lied? A door opened. The leading man appeared, sarDed in simple black, and. in a qulet, modest manner, entered upon the role of the heroic clergyman. Mods, smiles and nudges of approval passed from one maid to another as the actors fine profile, erect figure ana clear voice were noted. but wayne seemed oblivious to 1t all and pursued his even way with the utmost lngenuousness. Near the stage sat a dozen young ladies from Miss Hard's seminary, fresh with the gauzy loveli- ness that clings round sweet girlhood in summer days. In the second act wayne chanced to glance in the direc- ton of Miss Hard's young ladies and. as penalty, almost missed one of his cues. For. with all his clerical make. up, his heroism and self sacrifice, while treading the mimic stage, Rob ert Wayne was man, 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 itively startling. What remark. ably pretty facel'
 Between acts two and three Wayne studied the girls face through peer hole Who Is she?" he asked the theater manager Name is Porter One of the seminary bunch. Sumner aint she?' In the third act he deter mined to attend strictly to his work but, somehow. he fell from this re solve and was rewarded with another warm glance of admiration that quiekened his heart. His hitherto ab sorbing ambition to reach the toY oi his profession began to fade and an other. new. desire took possession of his throbbing brain What were evanescent fame or sordid fortune compared to the vision that had sud denly gripped his heart as nothing had ever done before2 He must, he would. possess this girl
 The play was over and Rev Johr Van Buren hurried to his dressing room and threw off his ministerial chrysalis. In few moments Rober Wayne emerged, stick in hand, ant set off for walk. He saw a group of ladies waiting for a street car ant wondered if she might be among them. Sure enough As he passed he saw her and, better still, she sav him. She knew him, and-yes. sh' smiled upon him. The shackles wer' complete; Wayne boarded the mex car and followed her.
 The polished door plate and knock CT at Miss Hard's looked stern an' forbidding. Wayne stood on the oppo s...,s side of the street for fully tel minutes and gazed across, while h. reviewed the events that had brough him there and considered what woul' be the best course to pursue. Hoy might he communicate with the youn, lady? He had an idea that boarding schools for girls were governed b. strict regulations and this would prob ably make the task difficult He migh write her, but, doubtless, the mail Wa inspected and this might lead t | trouble. Or he might transmit not by bribing servant. He rejected thi plan with indignation. Why shoul | he resort to any deception whatever "I have found" he remarked to him self that the best way to obtain wha one wants is to ask for it, and, wit this observation, he crossed the stree and lifted the knocker
 The maid opened her eyes when tn young man inquired for the mar ager" and left him for five minute to trace the figures in the library cal pet with his cane; then Miss Hard al peared. Wayne rose and in the colt ness of Miss Hard's spectacled blu eyes he read lack of sympathy fo any appeal like his. Miss liar glanced at his card, then raised he eyes to his inquiringly.
 'I should like, if there is no obje' tion." he began. to have a few mil utes conversation with Miss Porter.
 Upon what business?" Miss liar l. Ghn ha warded off many attempts to approac Miss Porter.
 oPardon me-, explained Wayn hut 1t is about a private--a persona natter"
 Miss Hard glanced at the car again. You are an actor?"
 Wayne flushed at her tone. T al proud to say that l am"
 When and where did you me' Miss Porter?'
 q regret" responded Wayne, h anger rising. that have never ha inc pleasure of meeting her. May see herr"
 Miss Hard's thin lips compresse themselves into knowing smile. "u less you can give me some good re son for wishing to see Miss Porter, whom you confess you are an utts stranger as you are also to me, ca not grant your request.
 "Very welI!e Wayne gfasped n bat and cane and moved toward ti door. q suppose you will doubt n
 when I say that am a gentlema
 hut am one, believe, and l hop'