The Washington herald., 1908-07-17
INVESTING IN FAME.
By TAYLOR WHITE.

Miriam. her arms full OF flowers, stepped
through the little door leading from the
stage 10 the auditorium. Her eyes sriu
sparkled with the excitement OF the even
ing and the clear skin glOwed brightly
pink as the little groups. stiu lingering
in the hall. hurried forward to compH-
meut the leading lady
To John Temple, lingering IN the back
ground. It seemed as II Miriam had never
looked so lovely. and he pressed forward
TO take his place in the little crowd
Take the flowers, please. Jack" she
said as he caught her eye Every one
has been 50 kind 10 ne I feel that do
not deserve it all You should have
heard what Mr.. Stanley said. He wants
10 speak 70 Mr.. Belasco about ne He
Is sure that he can place ne with his
company after a little technical instruc-
ton
Temple dutifuny took the flowers and
stepped into the background. he hated
these private theatricals at which his
wife shoae so brilliantly. StiH more he
hated Stanley, the professional coach,
who had played the lover. OF course. the
love was al a pTetense. sham OF the
stage. but just the game he did not ike 70
see his wife IN anotheT's arms.
For half an hour Mrs. Temple held
her little court while the janitor waited
impatientIy 10 close the hall Then stan
ley joined The group and Mrs Temple
moved toward the entrance,
I have asked Mr.. Stanley 10 have a
bite Of supper with Us" she explained
over her shoulder 20 her husband. and
Il was Stanley who helped her into the
carriage and took his seat beside her.
leaving the front seat 10 Temple and MS
load of flowers.
It was over the table that Stanley
sprang his nine For an hous he argued
in favor OF Aliriam's determination 10 go
upon the professional stage. and n the
end he prevailed Temple. worn and ex-
hausted with the struggle. pushed his
chair back ard rose from the table.
1T may be as you say" he said wear
lily IF Mrs Temple IS destined 70 be
come an ornament 10 the American stage.
7 suppose 7 an selfish in Withholding
ny consent
Ny dear fellow" cried Stanley with
offensive familiarity. 7 tell you Mrs
Temple can't help being one OF the stars
70 come out"
Temple made no reply as ne moved
away from the table and crossed 10 the
library for a cigar This was what he
had feared from the tine Miriam had
scored her first success. Perhaps II Was
Is well 20 have Il over with.
A week later Mrs Temple WIS estab-
lished in New York with her mother,
and daily she worked at her lessons IN
the dingy cavern OF an unlighted stage.
taking delight IN The fact that she was
treading the boards that nightly served
as the pedestal OF one OF the foremost
actors Of his cay. Stanley was a coach
Of no mean skin and he worked with a
VIII 70 earn the large fees that were
Faid him. By spring he was able 70 place
Miriam in small part in a Broadway
production The cost Of the costumes
was double that OF the salary TO be paid
for the entire engagement, and the man
ager was glad to get some amateur who
would dress the part artisticaIIv while AZ
the same tine ne was shrewd enough 10
realize the advertising possibilities Of the
wife OF a millionaire almost nationally
famous.
Encouraged By her success. Miriam
gave up her summer 70 study at the sug-
gestion Of Stanley. who was glad 20 move
70 the Temples country home and drive
the Temple horses when lessons were not
in progress
He had obtained an offer OF the same
part for the coming season. but Miriam
was not content TO continue in a minor
role, and Stanley, seeing that the end
was near, suggested an invitation per
Torrance
Mrs Temple can play small parts 20
the end OF her days" he pronounced
ponderoU Usiy. What we want to do IS
10 force the issue; to show people what
she is really capable Of. Wen hire a
theafer. get a good cast and MR. on