The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-09-22


would have entertained for a mo-
ment the true solution had they CHANGED to hit
upon it. and the idea of mere caprice would have
sent a chill to their eNpectant hearts,
1t was exactly eight o'clock to the minute when
Iheo tapped nervously on Miss Reymars door and
was admitted by Norine with that half-condescend-
ing, half-afable air with which the stars maid
usually conducts herself toward the lesser lights
OF tie company Theo was asked to wait and to
be seated, and as she did so, she could hardly
hear Norne's "Ill tell madame" for the thunder
Gus beating OF her own heart. She was sure the
poor little flowers on her hat must be nodding
wildly from the commotion beneath
She was angry at herself for it and sorry for
herself too, that the dscouragements the hum
iatons and the Observation-Disclosures of the last wear
should have so weakened her spirit. And already
her eNhilaration began fall little The luxrr-
les about her the velvet carpets, the pictures, the
exquisite MOVERS, the atmosphere of every-whim-
gratfed did not now. oddly enough arouse in
her any wish for emulation. All of it only made
her home-sick for her clean little room at home
With Its rufed curtains OF dotted SWISS its little
white bed. all its dear girlish adornmens and the
scent OF the apple blossoms coming in at the win
dows. She marveled that she had ever dared to
leave its peace for the dream OF this unsat-
isfylng realization. Still she chung with an OBJ
stlnacy mostly pride, to the dream, and would not
renquish it.
TO this hedglng, huttering timidly and forlorn-
ly out in the great world. presently Lucia
Reymar. Lucia Reymar. smiling in sef-derision
at this caprice that had momentarlly prompted
Theo, with shining eyes and flushed cheeks and
parted lips. rose to do homage the great lady
and the actress, out OF the depths OF that self-de
rision perhaps pleased to be gracous-who
can rurr more benignanty than they whose claws
long and sharp?
She was woman OF much physical charm, al
though she needed now the color the
makeup box to make her really beautiful Theo
however was more impressed by her as she adj
vanced in the most lacy and elaborate OF negli-
gees. with her pale, regular-featured face her
large eyes, her very bronze hair than she had
been at rehearsals
so you are Godfrey Faxtons daughter?' the
actress began rather carelessy in her beautiful
voice and perfect accent. She sank into a chair
near Theo with the tigerish grace that had been
studied until it was second nature The girls
nervousness, her very youthful air, amused Miss
Reymar-"Miss" by the courtesy of stage usage
only. She had not thought OF Theo personally at
all, she had only felt an idle wish hear of what
had CHANGED to Paxton in all the years since she
had him for the last time.
Norine, noseessly competent turned on the
lights and left the
Yes" Theo answered. 'You-knew him?"
Miss Reymar smiled reminiscenty. Very we'll
"a long time ago. She observed the girl les
urely You're not much like him. are you? A
little perhaps, though l didn't notice it until I
heard the name Tell me about him.
why" Theo looked down hesitating. Again
the chill was creeping into her Veins frosting the
little green hopes that had sprouted so ioyously-
Reymar had not thought of her. meant to do moth
ing for her. And she had built such castles on
the foundation OF this caprice. Reymar hard
nails.' Looking now at her cold careless face
the girl marveled at the pitiful yearning and pas
sion she had seen there in the of the
play. Again she braced herself, she would act
too.
What shall tell you?" she asked almost light
ly, cloaling her disappointment resolutely. She
began rather gropngly to describe their home in
the quiet country town; her father as editor OF
the paper, reserved man. not rich respected by
his fellow citizens, living at busy and an
uneventful life. kind but not comradey a trite
too aloot and booksh for neighbory comprehen-
sion. Lucia she going to be little bored
with it all.
is he still poetcal serious intense?"
Serious, yes Theo paused. seeing Godfrey
Paxton in new light.
He speaks OF me?" Lucia asked, always
with that undertone OF nconsequence.
NO"
why sweethearts He wanted to be