The Press., 1909-05-05
HARTLEY'S CALLER. 1~ By COLIN s. COLLINS. I~ Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
 Literary Press.


 their first names, but Hartley had only to write on a slip of paper and it would take Jimmie into the much de sired show" Such small fry as ed- itors and star reporters were not at all in the same class with man who carried passes in his pocket every day.
 ''I've told you hundred times to get the name, Jimmie," was the testy response. Hartley was i'll at ease with the whole world that morning
 "I know" admitted Jimmie, with unembarrassed truthfulness, "but, say, MT. Hartley, she's a peacherino for fair!'
 ''Pm not interested in fruit" was the cold response as Hartley turned to his desk. He hated all women at the mo- ment, for he had had to do thing which would probably cost him the love of the one woman he 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 to be most potent. "An' she's a pippin for fair!'
 "I can't see any one who does not send in a card" declared Hartley as he turned to his work again, and Jim mic dashed out presently to return with bit of pasteboard.
 With start Hartley read NOrma's name and gave orders that she be ushered in. It was better perhaps that since there was to be a quarrel they should meet on his own ground.
 Somehow, with the familiar sur roundings, he felt more safe than he ever could in the parlOr of the little actress suit at the hotel. With a sternness that indifferently masked the misery that he felt he prepared to re- ceive his caller.
 He had expected that she would come storming in to denounce him for his criticism and to declare him biased and unfair.
 He was braced for the shock and lilly prepared for the sight of the de jected little woman who came timidly into his dingy office, her rich furs forming a 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 his bravely.
 ''I did not come to reproach you for your notice," she said, with a quick appreciation of his attitude. Tt 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 I ex- posed myself to every form of critical attack.
 '1 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. can see now that it was ab- surd to think that I could win favor able comment from the great men who have made their reputation more through the savageness of their at- tacks than through their ability as critics"
 And yet you said you had not come to reproach?' he asked gently. Even In her bitterness he noticed a new note in the rich voice. It hurt him to think that he was in part responsible for that little catch of pain which would sound, try as she would to be hard and cynical.
 It was as if her whole quivering soul was laid bare in spite of the dress of words with which she sought to clothe it.
 'rI did not mean to say that" she cried. q only meant to come and ask you if you would let me have my pho tographs back. You and the rest of your confreres have beaten me I am in retreat. I am going as far from New York as I can. I want to take with me everything that is mine."
 You should have sent your agent and spared yourself he reminded her gently. T will see that the pictures are found for you. Will you sit down?"
 He indicated a chair as he rang for a boy. and presently Jimmie went away with instructions that Miss Keating's photographs were to be re- turned by the art department at once.
 Neither spoke until the boy had laid the package down and had departed for the outer office. Then Hartley rose and placed them on the chair beside her.
 'There is another one," she said un, certainly. 'the one that I gave you. May I have it back, please?
 eff you wish" he promised as he turned again to his desk to draw from one of the recesses photograph with flowing autograph across it's face. Does your anger go so deep that you are unwilling 10 leave me even this souvenir or a friendship that l shall always treasure in my memory" he asked "May not keep itP' ITO add to your sacrificial heap" she 1 retorted bitterly. q suppose you must l have a good1y collection of those you have fayed.'
 "I have few photographs few friends among the women of the pro- fession," he said simply as he opened | a drawer for an envelope. 'T had hoped to number your first among I those few"
 He held the envelope toward her, and for a moment she hesitated. She l seemed about to leave the room, but | she turned ana faced him again.
 You told me once that you never | would marry an actress" she said | tensely. "Was it because-because you did not want me on the stage that you hat NynrI T have made no secret of my ad- miration for you" said Hartley sim ply, "and I may have made the re- mark you attribute to me, but it was with no desire to drive you from the stage that I framed my criticism as did"
 Cant you see," he continued pas siOnatnlv attha awfnI nnSition in which