The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-10-17

moment as though she would fan.
Then the sea of faces became blur.
and she was no longer afraid Of them.
After her second selection the thun
der Of applause told of the success she
had scored. and, faint and trembling.
but very happy, she sank down into a
seat in a dark corner.
No one seemed to notice her. and she
missed the little attentions that had
always been paid to her. She knew
that she had no right to expect them
now: she was professional enter
tainer, but none the less it hurt.
They were passing refreshments tc
the others. and the sight of the food
made her faint. The room seemed sud
denly to blur and then grow dark.
When she opened her eyes again she
was in another room-a comfortable
looking room-and Nell Bradford, an
old school friend, was looking down
into her face with plying eyes.
"You are all right now" she said as
Elda scanned the face with puzzled
glance You tainted back there on the
stage, and we brought you here, where
we could look after you better. 1t is
one Of the small parlors."
cit was the excitement" explained
Elda you see, it was my professional
debut, and it meant SO much to me- z
Nell stroked the thin, trembling hand
"Why didn't you come to us?" she de-
handed. 1--WE have been back for three
months. and we have been looking
everywhere for you. Dick nearly fell
off his chair when you came on the
STAGE AZ
II did write" explained Elda, "but
there was no answer, and so many
others dropped me that r.
1--WE were in Egypt" explained Nell
There was some trouble with GER
tain contract, and Dick went to look
after it himself and took me with him.
We never dreamed of what was hap
pening."
ITS all right now" said Elda, with
a faint smile. IT have made good
as Mr.. Carmontelle would say, and my
future is assured
Nell smiled at the suggestion, and
the arrival of a tray with coffee and
salad brought the conversation to
halt. Afterward those who had not
recognized Elsa Beverly in Elda Tes-
ira, the entertainer, crowded In to con.
graduate her upon her success, and
Nell Bradford had. hard work to keep
her big brother from driving them out
again.
But Dick Bradford sat beside Elsa
In the automobile that was carrying
them to the summer cottage they had
taken for the season, and Elsa smiled
at the masterful way in which he plan.
ned for her future.
= ''T'm going to town tomorrow" he
said, land l shall have your trunk
brought out You are going to stay
here until you get rested up. and then.
If you'll have me, dear, there will be
an entertainment at the boat club tc
celebrate our wedding"
"Are you sure that you really want
me?' she asked timidly. Its not just
because you're sorry for me?'
"Pity." he echoed, and Nell, sitting In
the tonneau, heard and laughed. Is
''He's been like bear ever since he
found that you were gone" she ex
planned. Don't talk about pity to his
sister, who has suffered from his
moods the last three months. For my
sake, Elsa, say Yes and put me out
of my misery
For Dicks sake Elsa whispered
contentedly as her. hand slipped into
his for an instant "Mr. Carmontelle
said that if I made good I might get
other engagements, but / did not sup
pose that they would be for life"