The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

! she Was-she IS out" said Jane IN a
matter-of-fact tone. as II il was Of 10
consequence. And. after all. was Il?
The night licked coldiy on TO the chill
OF sulleE dawn. Afraid OF the depression
which generally manifests itself az that
time. Jane fortified her charge with wine
II strengthened him. He asked TO have
his things put in order because he was 70
BE- taken 20 the hospital. Jane gladly
busted herself. glad OF change OF Occupa-
ton. But II was soon finished and she
was AT her interminabse spangling again
/ So many thoughts came TO her through
/ that long night She flashed into a COM
4 plets comprehension OF the instability. the
hOme-menacing. enforced heartlessness Of
the profession she had embraced. and.
having embraced. could nevermOre give
up. She realized that what she had hith-
erto stigmatiZed as an actors cowardice
IL face OF threatened illness was the pre-
monitory horror OF just this desolate
abandonment An actor earned his living
-as a matter OF truth. was adjudged
worthy Of Bfe-only so long as he could
entertain Neither manager nor public
had any use for him helpless. Individu-
ally made up Of the gentlest men and
women, the public as a unit Is utterly
without heart. A sick actor Is ignored,
an old one. neglected; a dead one. forgot
Keep dancing at the head OF the pro-
cession II you would not be under the
heel Of the applauding .cpswd.
The long nightl-the slow sweet smile
then answered her every looki
Then backward day crept into the room.
yet no clattering sounds OF life arose IN
the sleeping hotel The man stirred rest
lessly.
A sudden brightness shone In his eyes.
I rNa = Nr-r-
strensth bringing to Jane an unspeakabls
1 fear.
Would Il trouble you 10 get me a glass
Of water?" he asked. =
She quickly hurried a glass 70 his lips
I He though he drank. but ne did not, and
the glass crashed from his fingers.
please God. I dill not go-alone." he
said huskily. He touched james hand
Thank you. Good right. II is very late.
Thank you.
Then he slirp from her fral hold. and
was gone.
James SCI 3 Tor help brought 10 an
swering sOm. -COm the hotel; she rushed
in panic from The room and found herself
struggling with Cartons door.
-Oh, open II. open it," she chOSed. Then
she remembered the drying underclothes.
and laughed and laughed-it was 50
i
Carl" she cried gayly. continuing 70
laugh; II was still so funny
i viii. Jane III put Il on" he called.
! What's the trouble. dear grip
How did he know she was in trouble.
I she wondered. Was she not laughing ,
/ or was she crying2 She put Up her
hands to wipe the drenching tears.
When Carl appeared she clung 10 him
and told him the story OF the night and
OF the dawn.
GO TO your room" he said. shocked.
''Tn see that everything right is done.
Lie down II you can"
| But she could not. Alone IN her room
/ she rather aimlessly packed and repacked
her satcheL She folded all her handker-
chiefs. and marveled how long Il seemed
| since she had washed and smoothed them
A slight dampness Of her lace cuffs wOr-
ried her strangely; surely they had had
/ ages IN which 10 dry,
Later Carl reappeared dressed. She
/ turned her questioning eyes upon him
There is nothing left for any OF Us 70
l DO" he said quietly. "As much as pos
sible put il OEt OF your mind. And 20
/ downstairs and get breakfast Remem-
Der. We take an early train this morn
ing"
AN right" she said with vague ODE
/ dience. She looked very small, very
pretty. much IN need Of diversion
The sight Of her went 10 CarTs heart
/ Ike wine 90 the head.
What made you come 70 me m your
troubie2'' he asked daringly. Why nos
Blake? Stadheim? any Of the others?
I Why neg'
7 don't know" faltered Jane. redden-
I ing.
7 know" he cried exultingly, and bent
and kissed her.
/ That made the sum total OF their court
| ship. Your good actor is a poor love
maker when IL comes 10 reality. Nightly
/ he says so many ~darlings" 70 soft music
/ that he steers resolUtely away from them
/ when the real moment arrives
/ Carl took James satchel from her and
showed her gently in the direction OF the
/ dining-TOOm-
/ And you'll have 70 eat in hurry, too,
/ he warned. ''Eight-thirty is train time. -
1 With a rush. the concerns Of practical
/ life re-established themselves and Jane
l hurried 10 her breakfast. Il was far from
wise 10 refuse a sure meal. for one never
I knew, In this travelling existence, when
I the next might be reasonably expected.
! Finished. garbed FOR the street, her
! satcheI in hand. Jane started for the
doors, and bumped into Carlton. similarly
equipped.
When are you going 10 marry me?'' he
| asked CASUALLY. dropping into step and
/ hurrying along with her.
Am ~ she asked blankly.
/ Sure. Better make IL soon. too. You
have no other means Of support"
'Um, What's the matter with my iOb2
asked Jane IOftfly-
1 It's gone-TH bet a tenner."
| Gone cried Jane, aghast. and why7'
/ Because you lack 'savvy' don't know
| enough 10 keep away from Gaping acci-
/ dents by interrupting the peace OF a sup
/ per and an auto ride with inconsiderate
demands OF the -ex-ohiciO hus-
bands. too. You'll get your two weeks
all right"
Think so?" gasped Jane. and even as
/ she asked she got il A messenger de-
! livered II in a letter. Studheim politely
! informed her OF his regrets that her dini-
nutive height was a drawback 10 hei
/ general success in the profession. ftting
/ her only for juveniles and ingenues; that
/ for TIE benefit OF the company he felt
! compelled al the expiration Of two weeks
/ to give her part 70 another.
1 Two weeks murmured Jane
And you won't be with Us that ione
II you miss this train. Come" ordered
Carl
Here the founcy little parlor maid hur-
ried 20 the fore and bade Jane an ex-
travagant farewell
"Oh. miss-what fun, Just to play and
TO travel 1 envy you folkses so. Isn't Il
lovely TO be a actress"
(Copyrght-l