The Meeker herald., 1907-02-16

company, headed by the young ro-
mantle actor Robert Wayne" Petit
coats rustled. lingerie switched and
swiried. and fans waved; the orches-
ira played. and. at length. the curtain
rose on "The Charity Ball." 1t 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 had the Autographs lied? A door
opened. The leading man appeared,
CARRIED in simple black, and. in q
quiet, 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
and clear voice were noted, but
Wayne seemed oblivious to 1t all and
pursued his even way with the utmost
ingenuousness. Near the stage sat q
dozen young ladies' from Miss Hard's
seminary, fresh with the gauzy lowell
ness that clings round sweet girlhood
in summer days. In the second act
Wayne CHANGED to glance in the direc-
ton of Miss Hard's young ladies and,
as a 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, a very suscept-
ible young man at that; and Miss
Mary Porters admiring blue eyes had
looked Into his in a way that was pos
itively startling. What remark
ably pretty facet"
Between acts two and three Wayne
studied the girls face through peep
hole. "Who is she?" he asked the
theater manager. Name is Porter
One of the seminary bunch. Sumner
amt 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
quickened his heart. His hitherto abb
sorbing ambition to reach the top Of
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 before? He must. he
would. possess this girl.
The play was over and Rev. John
Van Buren, hurried to his dressing
room and threw of his ministerial
chrysalis. In a few moments Robert
Wayne emerged, stick in hand, and
set of for a walk. He saw group
of ladies' waiting for street car and
wondered II she might be among
them. Sure enough! Az he passed
he saw her and, better still, she saw
him! She knew him! and-yes. she
smiled upon him! The shackles were
complete: Wayne boarded the next
car and followed her.
The polished door plate and knock
err at Miss Hard's looked stern and
forbldding. Wayne stood on the oppo-
site side of the street for fully ten
minutes and gazed across, while he
reviewed the events that had brought
him there and considered what would
be the best course to pursue. How
might he communicate with the young
lady? He had an idea that boarding
schools for girls were governed by
strict regulations and this would prob
ably make the task dimcult. He might
write her, but. doubtless, the mail was
inspected and this might lead to
trouble. Or he might transmit a note
by bribing servant. He rejected this
plan with indignation. Why should
he resort to any deception whatever?
81 have found" he remarked to him
self, shat the best way to obtain what
one wants is to ask for it," and, with
this observation, he crossed the street
and lifted the knocker.
The maid opened her eyes when the
young man inquired for the man
ager" and left him for five minutes
to trace the figures in the library car
net with his cane; then Miss Hard ap-
peared. Wayne rose and in the cold
ness of Miss Hards specialized blue
eyes he read lack of sympathy for
any appeal like his. Miss Hard
glanced at his card, then raised her
eyes to his inquiringly.
II should like. II there is no objec-
tion," he began, ito have few min
utes conversation with Miss Porter"
Upon what busIness?" Miss Hard
scrutinized him keenly. She had
wsrded on many attempts to approach
Miss Porter.
Pardon me-" explained Wayne.
but 1t is about = private-a personal
matter"
Miss Hard glanced at the card
again. You are an actor?"
Wayne flushed at her tone. II am
proud to say that l am"
when and where did you meet
Miss Porter!"
Il regret" responded Wayne. his
anger rising, that l have never had
the pleasure of meeting her. May l
see her!"