Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-07
A Chapter From the Life of
a Famous Actress
BY G. r. SIMS
CONTINUED FROM SEC TON ONE.

to her husbands creditors without murmur,
ing against hope that she would hear some
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
still in utter ignorance of her husbands
whereabouts
She felt that he had treated her very
cruelty; the shame was bad enough, the
terrible suspense was worse. She didn't
even know II he was alive or dead AT
dead. He might have committed suicide
drowned himself, perhaps-and this was the
reason that since the day of his flight the
She wondered often what could have in
duced him to turn dishonest She had never
asked for luxury, though she had accepted
it when it came. And Jack himself had
always appeared quite contented and happy
in the days when they practiced economy.
Year succeeded year, and still no news
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 an old friend of
her family, wealthy widow named Mon
Grief, and accept the position of com
panion to her. Roses mother had died the
year previous, and she had one to con-
slider but herself.
Mrs. Moncrieff about to take long
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 a gentleman wished to see her.
1t was so, unusual for any one to call
upon Mrs Smedley that for a moment a
wild idea flashed across her mind that it
was Jack. But the hope 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
heard that I'm going abroad and has come
to say goodbye"
see her visitor. and found Tom in state
IL hope you won't mind my calling on
you so late" he explained, "but I've only
just found out where you lived I've some
news for you"
81 know what it is" gasped Rose, you've
seen Jack"
Eyes, l believe l have"
The next minute Tom had dashed out into
the hall and was yelling for the landlady.
Rose Smedley had fallen down in dead
when the landlady and Tom between
them had brought her round and Rose was
calmer, Tom told his story.
He had been dining with some friends
on the previous evening at little town
some thirty miles from London, and after
dinner they had made up q party to &c
The piece was not up to much and the
company was only a small travelling one, but
the voice of the man who played one oil
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 a pair Of opera glasses anC
scrutinized the actor carefully, but thu
make up" effectually concealed the man'
real features And yet there was lool
about the eyes and upper part of the fac
that confirmed Toms impression that HI
was in the presence of his long lost friend
The actors name was given in the pro
gram as MI ]. Wilson" AS soon as tn
performance was over Tom made an excus
to his friends and went round to the stag
door He saw the stage doorkeeper ant
asked if he could speak to Mr.. Wilson.
"Ill see. sir. What name"
Say Mr. Marlborough"
The man took the message and prompt
returned to say that "Mr. Wilson was en-
gagged with the manager and could not Sc