Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-10-01

LADY to see YOU" announced jim
ME, one of the office boys, with def
erence that he showed only to Hartley,
the dramatic critic, and Murphy, the
sporting editor. The sporting editor
could call all the baseball players by
their fist names, but Hartley had only
to write Oh Il slip of paper ana 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.
"lve told you a hundred times to
get the name, Jimmie" was the testy
response. Hartley was Ill at ease with
the whole world that morning
~ know" admitted Jimmie, with
unembarrassed truthfulness, but, say,
Nh. Hartley, she's a peacherlno for
fairp
I'm 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 a 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 pippin
| for fairv'
II can't see any one who does not
send In 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. 1t was better perhaps
that since there was to be 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 Mt the hotel. With a
sternness that indifferently masked the
misery that he felt he prepared to re-
| celve his caller
He had expected that she would
come stormlng In to denounce him for
his criticism and to declare him biased
and unfair.
He was braced for the shock and
lily prepared for the sight of the de-
jected little woman who came timidly
into his dingy office, her rich furs
forming strange contrast to the bare
walls and cheap furniture.
Jimmie slipped away after one last
admlring glance and then the girl
raised her eyes to Hartley's and met
the pity I'm his bravely.
~ did not come to reproach you for
your notice" she said, with quick
appreciation OF his attitude. ut was
your right ~ say what you pleased.
paid n big price for the special per
Torrance In order to get the metro
polltan notices, and In doing so l ex-
posed myself to every form Of critical
attack.
II suppose that you are expected to
be severe on beginners, to ridicul8
chem and beat them down and force
them into their proper places.
"You demand that we start at the
bottom. can SEQ now that 1t was abb
surd to think that l could win favor
able comment from the great men who
have made their reputation more
through the sawgeness of their at
lacks than through their ability as
critics"
"And yet you said you had not come
to reproachW he asked gently. Even
IN her bitterness he noticed a new
note In the rich voice. 1t 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.
1t was as II her whole quiverlng
soul was laid bare in spite Of the dress
of words with which she sought to
clothe It.
81 did not mean to say that" she
cried. II only meant to come and ask
you II you would let me have my pho
tographs back. You and the rest OF
your confreres have beaten me. ! am
in retreat. am going as far from
New York as | can. want to take
with me everything that is mine"
"You should have sent your agent
and spared Yourself he reminded her
gently. II will see that the pictures
are found for you. Will you sit
DOWN.
He indicated chair as he rang for
n boy, and presently Jimmie went
away with instructions that Miss
Keatings 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 chnir beside
her.
"There is another one" she said I'M
certainly, "the one that I gave you.
May have It back, pleaseT
"Tf you WISH" he promised as he
turned again to his desk to draw from
one OF the recesses a photograph with
flowing autograph across its face.
"Does your anger go so deep that you
are unwilling b leave me even this
souvenir Of friendship that l shall
always treasure in my memoryT he
asked. MAY I not keep itr'
.To add to your sacrificial heap" she
Fstorted bitterly. 81 suppose you must
have goodly collection Of those you
have hayedp'
IT have few photographs-and few
friends among the women Of the pro-
fession." he said simply as he opened