The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-21
y D. COLIN 5. COLLINS. '


the dramatic critic, and Murphy, tn,
sporting editor. The sporting edlto
could call all the baseball players b!
their FIRST names, but Hartley had onll
to write on slip Of paper and 1
would take Jimmie into the much de
sired "show." Such small fry as ed
itors and star reporters were not Al
all In the same class with man VIII,
carried passes in his pocket every day
"l've told you a hundred times K
set the name, Jimmie" was the testy
response, Hartley was IN at ease with
the whole world that morning.
Il know" admitted Jimmie. with
unembarrassed truthfulnesS, but, say,
AIr. Hartley, she's a peacherino for
fair!r
"T'm not Interested In fruit was the
cold response as Hartley turned to his
desk. He hated all women al the mo.
ment for he had had 10 do a thing
which would probably cost him the
love Of the one woman be really did
care for.
He had had to tell the cruel truth
about Norma Heating as an actress,
and he felt that the high spirited girl
never would forgive him.
Jimmie, the persistent hung over the
desk.
"She don't look like an actress" he
declared. using the argument he knew
10 be most potent, "An' she's pippin
for falrw
u can't see any one who does not
send In card" declared Hartley as
hs tnraed to his work again, and Jim
nile dashed out presently to return
vita BIT Of pastehoard.
With a start Hartley read Norna's
name and gave orders that she be-
usherei in 1t was better perhaps
that since there was to be quarrel
they should meet en- his ewn ground.
Somehow, with the familiar sur.
roundlngs, he felt more safe than be
ever could IN the parlor Of the little
actress suit at the hotel. With a
sternness that indlfferently masked the
misery that he felt he prepared to re-
eeive his caller.
He had expected that she would /
come storIning In to denounce him for
bis criticism and to declare him biased 1
and unfair.
he was braeed for the shock and
lily prepared for the sight Of the de-
Jected little woman who came timidIy
into his dingy office, her rich furs
forming strange contrast to the bare
walls and cheap furniture.
Jimmie slipped away after one last
admiring glance, and then the girl
raised her eyes to Hartley's and met
the pity in bis bravely.
7 did not come to reproach you for
your notice" she said. with a quick
Of his attitude. IT was
your right to say what you pleased.
paid a big price for the special per
formance in order to get the metro
politan notices, and In doing so / ex-
posed myself to every form Of critical
attack.
y suppose that you are expected to
be severe on beginners, to ridicule :
them and beat them down and force
them into their proper places.
You demand that we start at the
bottom l can see now that 1t was alb
'urd to think that / could win favor.
lble comment from the great men who
have made their reputation more
through the savageness of their at
acks than through their ability as I
,ritics.' i
And yet YOU said you had not come y
o reproach?" he asked gently. Even I
n her bitterness he noticed new L
tote In the rich voice. 1t hurt him to 5
hink that he was in part responsible t
or that little catch Of pain which
would sound, try as she would to be $
ard and cynical k
II was as If her whole qulvering r
oul was laid bare in spite Of the dress Il
I words with which she sought to Il
Iothe it.
Il did not mean to say that" she n
ried. 81 only meant to come and ask a
ou If you would let me have my pho b
1graphs back. You and the rest Of q
our eonfreres have beaten me. am W
! retreat, am going as far from ot
lew York as l can. l want to take to
18th me everything that is mine" ii
You should have sent your agent d.
nd spared yourself be reminded her SC
emily. Il win see that the pictures vi
re found for you. viii you sit &C
7wr?" H
Tie indicated a chair as he rang for I'll
boy, and presently Jimmie went
way with Instructions that Miss
eating's photographs were to be re-
rned by the art department at once. ~
Neither spoke until the boy had laid ar
e package down and had departed Sc
II the outer office. Then Hartley rose OF
I'd placed them on the chair beside tn
n. tv
''There is another one" she said un- lol
rtainly, "the one that gave you. er
ay have It back. please" ca
IF you wish" he promised as he
rned again to his desk to draw from wi
Ie Of the recesses a photograph with ey
flowing autograph across its face. !
Does your anger go so deep that you I'll
c unwilling TO leave me even this to
uvenir of a friendship that | shall so
ways treasure in my memory| he til