Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-13
By Grace
Of Gladys.
BY CARL WILLIAMS.

prodigy of the Little Gladys Dramatic
company. What made It worse. her
doting papa was the manager OF the
show. which played a repertory for a
week In the smaller towns. always
dramas In which the small star could
shine to advantage.
As stage attraction the child was a
wonder. She could play little girls who.
like all the good. die young. and she
also played rough soubrette parts with
dash that made more important
managers wish that there were no
children'e societies in the large cities
70 prevent her appearance in the big
theaters.
Her father. Joe GlIdden. had tried
the cities. but after half season he
reorganized his old company and took
to the small towns, where the child
was a fayorlte and where chlldren's
societies were unknown.
There, among old friends. he felt safe
once more. He staggered about as he
had done before he knew what It was
TO regard every stranger approaching
the box Office as possible police OFF,
Ger in plain clothes.
Gladys, as though to make up for
lost time. became more incorrigible
than ever.
Versatility, her precious dramatic
gift, she displayed only on the stage.
The members OF her fathers company
never were treated to any private dis
plays Of the angel children that Gladys
played to perfection on the stage.
In private life the child was steadily
and consistently a torment. Jack Trent
and Elvia Mordant OF her patient sup
port, were her especial Victims.
Gladys sharp eyes had discovered
the birth of love even before Elyia
was certain OF her own feelings and
announced that fact TO the rest OF the
company at supper that evening. Her
shrill. piping voice, trained TO ill q
theater. reached to every corner of the
dining room. and the gleeful statement
that Miss Mordant is awfully gone on
Jack Trent" set the room In a roar.
With flaming face Elvia sprang to
her feet and rushed from the ROOM
the laughter OF the company and the
other guests ringing In her ears long
after she had reached her room.
Scalding tears stained her pillow
but she was Mt last certain that she
did love Trent, and. had he only known.
he had cause to be grateful to the
youngster. Instead he savagely sug-
gested to Joe Glidden that a good
spanking would be the salvation of the
child.
Glidden knew better than to take the
advice. Once, and once only, had
Gladys been spanked. II had hap
pened on a Sunday. and business was
bad all the following week, because
the child played abominably in spite
Of all threats. Not until the promise
was made that she should not be
spanked any more did she appear at
her best again.
Glidden only smiled indulgently at
Trents suggestion, but Gladys hated
the man for II, and thereafter she Sc
lected Jack and Elvia as her special
victims.
~ uAu nOk AAdtNCA tual VII TIC NAAtAS
they sat at opposite ends Of the car.
Gladys would discover Trent gazing
intently into space and call attention
TO the fact that he could not keep his
eyes off Elvia.
The company laughed at her pert re.
marks. because they were selfishly
glad that Gladys found vent for her
-. a.A kkok f,.,.
themselves.
Their laughter encouraged the child
TO fresh endeavors, and since the two
victims would not provide her with
material for jokes OF the stage she
formed the habit Of guying their per
Torrance on the stage.
Jack and Elvia were cast for lovers
roles. and 1t was disconcerting to hear
a sibilant "Ahv' as their lips met in a
stage caress. Only in the theater did
they see each other now, so Gladys
made those stage scenes moments OF
torture.
Not for a moment did the child re-
lent, and her father only smiled indul-
gently at Trent's protests and threats
" leAFe. engagements were uot easy
to be had In the middle Of the season,
and Glidden knew that Trent would
not take chances with mother to sup.
port.
He had no wish to lose Trent. who
was n clever man and worth double
what he was getting, but there seemed
small danger Of his resigning. and II
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 It. More than once Trent
made up his mind to leave In the hope
that Gladys might then leave Elvia In
peace, but Elvia would not hear Of II.
BY suggesting that he would leave her
TO bear the brunt of the child's enmity
she dissuaded him from his purpose.
But the crisis was bound to come.
Gladys, with a sense Of false security.
Doesed all limit. The fayOrite play