The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-05

they sat at opposite ends of the car.
Gladys would discover Trent casing
inteptly into space and call attention
to the fact that he could not keep his
eyes of Elvls,
The company laughed at her pert "
marks, because they were seltishly
glad that Gladys found vent for her
love OF mischief that did not involve
themselves,
Their laughter encouraged the child
to fresh endeayors, aud since the two
victims would not provide her with
material for Jokes OF the stage SHE
formed the habit Of guying their per.
formance ON the stage,
Jack and Elvia were cast for lovers
roles, and Il was diseoneerting TO hear
a slbilant "Ahr' AZ their lips met in a
stage caress, Only III the theatcr did
they see each other now, SO Gladys
made those stage scenes moments Of
torture.
Not for moment did the child re-
lent. and her father only smiled lndul.
gently at Trent's protests and threats
to leave. Engagements were not easy
70 be had In the middle Of tho season.
and Glldden knew that Trent would
not take chances with mother to sup.
port.
He had no wish TO lose Trent, who
was clever man and worth double
what he was getting. but there seemed
small danger OF his reslgning. and Il
was not an easy matter to control
Gladys
No one read better than the child the
true state Of affairs, and she made the
most Of Il. More than once Trent
made up his mind to leave in the hope
that 6latISs might then leave Elvia In
peace, hut Elyia would not hear Of t.
BY suggesting that he would leave her
10 bear the brunt Of the child's enmlty
she dissuadcd him from his purpose
but the crisis was bound to come.
Gladys, with sense of false security,
asal an limit The favorlte play
y i the public was one Of her angel
er.s. and The "hIs scene" IN the last
ist showed the child at her mothers
snee praying that her father, who had
been estranged. might return.
He Is lurking behind the curtains
madly jealous and waiting to kin his
wife when the child is put to bed.
The naive plea wins him 10 belief
tn his wite's innocence.
II was Saturday night. and the little
theater wa packed to the doors FL
via and Jack had both been accorded
tumultuous welcome, and this reused
the child's professional jealousy.
She was unusually quiet when OF
the stage. and Trent wondered at her
meekness. Just when the big scene
was progressing finely and the petition
from the child was being read as
Gladys never read II before II hap
pened.
In her white nlghtdress. with her
golden curls framing her earnest baby
face, she was an appealing little fg-
ure, and as she made her plea that her
father might return even men In the
audience furtively dried their tears
"And bring him back and make him
good to mamma and me again." plead.
ed the child Trent reused himself
ready for the spring that should bring
him to the center Of the stage, his arms
round the mother and child, but her
next lines were not read. Instead she
said slowly and deliberately:
"And please let Mr.. Trent marry |
Miss Mordant so they'll stop being |
spOony - and and bring my papa
back"
Papa" came with promptness that |
startled Gladys. Jack knew that the
Of the scene was to get the
curtain down before the audience real
lied the Interpolation and laughed, so
with an improylsed line he led right
into the cue which was the signal for
the drop to descend.
But even as the curtain fell there
rose a litter that deepened into a
laugh, and through the canvas came a
shout Of merriment as the audience
caught the point. Elvia and Jack were
20 popular that the audience under
stood the alIusiOn.
As the glitter Of the footlights was
shut out by the curtain the arm that
held Gladys for the stage picture
.ightened, and, though she struggled
% escape, Trent held her fast. A mo
nent later he was administering a
banking that lost nothing through It's
ong delay.
The entire company crowded on the
Jtage and appIauded him to fresh ef-
'orts, and it was several minutes be-
ore even Glidden interfered.
He soothed the child even while he
banked Jack with his eyes for doing
Vhat he dared not, and at last her
mother led her of, still shrieking, to
he dressing room. Glidden turned to
ack.
II don't blame you. She deserved
T." he said briefly. "AlI the same,
annot keep you In the company any
onger or Gladys viii queer the show"
II know that" was Trents even re-
ly. ut was worth 1t, though. sup
ose that / can get a chance some
,here after awhile"
Glidden caught his arm.