The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

for a profession?'' murmured Miss Nance
Delaney, with a supercilious sigh. les:
IN the tone OF one asking a question thar
limiting at disparagement-as If the poor
stage, with a capital S, was very much
a sufferer by the recruit. Moreover, she
was talking to Carl Carlton. the good
looking juvenile man. who had thus faI
proved impervious TO her frankly offered
opportunities for Irritation. and she
wanted to find out what might not be
his predictions in another quarter.
Whom do you mean by her?'' sug.
gested he, with battling amiability.
'TWhy. Jane Duke. OF course"
Don't know. I'm sure; but II might be
interesting to hear her explain. Oh. Miss
Duke, come here a minute"
AS the genuinely young. fresh-faced and
Laughing Jane drew obligingly near. Miss
Nance Delaney put on the arch little
stare that is recommended by beauty
culturists TO eradicate wrinkles. She al
ways secretly dreaded & daylight COM
parison with James smooth fairness
Nance had mounted unwillingly but in
evitably into the thrties-that perilous
platform where a leading woman, II she
be lucky. may poise as a girl" for al
least ten years, or may wretchedly topple
1zto the class of ''old women and stay
there. Nance was courageously holding
on by the balustrades. She was fascinat-
srgly pretty by night-bUt went veiled by
day.
What seems 10 be the dificulity here?'
cried out Jane, flashing an untroubleo
glance from one 10 the other.
Miss Delaney wants 10 know why
you went on the stage2' said Carlton.
with mastery shift Of responsibility.
Nance nodded a charming acceptance.
She was willing TO take even response
bility from Carlton. if she could get
nothing else.
why did you. dear?'' she queried
sweetly yet I can make guess. II
was Art for truths sake.
Not much. it wasn't" denied Jane
coolly. 1T was Plug. for Dough's sake -
Carlton snorted appreciatively, but
Nance looked grieved.
TT IS Just that sort Of talk which in
Jures the profession. We should strive 10
have our speech uphold the dignity Of
the stage" she said. In passing. II might
be mentioned that speech was the only
unshattered means left to Miss Delaney
for the ''upholding' purpose. We have
10 sacrifice our personal prejudices. Our
own names must 60. II they are not suffi-
GENTLY pretty. You. my dear. would have
done well 10 change your (pardon mel
extremely ugly one for a name more
sweetly sounding"
Think sO?'' demanded Jane unveXed-
vi .
Where's It chipped?"
"Oh. It is assumed? I never would
have dreamed iti''
Nor J." agreed Jane heartily; that's
why I lifted Il down for mine"
But why 'Jane?"
"Why not? It's neat and brief Has no
ends sticking out. And Duke Is i'm
mense; IL hints Of wealth and prosperity
and acres, with coronet or two thrown
in"
May I ask what is your real name?''
Certainly you may" cried cordial
Jane, vouchsafing no further.
What is it?'' pursued Nance, angry but
undeterred.
"Oh. why didn't you keep It so on the
bills?' gushed Nance yet sadly. as If the
oversight had adequately 'queered'
James career forever.
1t had too sing-songy a sound; too
e-deprancy' for me-
Carlton reluctantly ironed his face into
immobility. Jane had not a spark Of ma
liciousness in her composition. She was
Just a happy-gO-lucky gabbler. Like a
colt, she was joyous. not vicious Out Of
sheer exhilaration she took every fence
she came to.
Nance was not without tactics She
laughed and said calmly:
What a funny woman you are"
Glancing at James diminutive youth,
Carlton observed gravely:
Have YOU really reached a sufficient
stage 10 earn the honorable title Of
woman"
Il don't mind woman. said Jane.
never nonplussed. I'D much sooner be
a young woman than an old girl"
This Nance refused to hear.
do you know where Studheim is7'' she
asked OF Carlton.
Studheim was the manager
Sorry. but I haven't an idea" observed
Carlton with regretful eyed frankness. It
81 rauch better to be without ideas than
70 furnish information that a man who is
being asked about by one woman is assid-
uously paying attention TO another. stud
helm was automobilng with a charming
among professionals it is the very bull
wark Of friendship not 10 know what
your neIghbor is up to-
We'll. I'll try TO find him. I want 10
speak 10 him about my dressing room"
She turned and left them.
Walks as If she had money, doesn't
she?' murmured Carlton, watching the
retreat. Dresses like il. too She must
cost Mr.. Nance a pretty extra penny"
Mr.. Nance?'" said Jane darkly. els
she married woman
"She was yesterday" said Carl wariIy;
q don't know about to-day"
Doesn't II last long?"
''ch, from one minute TO the next" con-
ceded Carl generously. She's got TIL
-oeath-do-us-part' scattered all over the
United States"
And yet she keeps angling for a man
right straight alongi" cried Jane indig-
nantiy, adding. with the stern outspoken-
ness Of raw youth, "and she's after you.
100. as hard as she can goi"
Pleased by a vibrating resentment in
her fresh voice. Carlton nevertheless ap-
peared 10 hug her allegation to his heart
Is she?" he asked happily. Won't it
be jolly when she gets mep'
'Whenr" accused Jane.
If he amended graciousIy.
I've hung around this back door all
I'm going to- announced Jane.
The entire company arrived in town
but an hour ago. had paid their compul-
sory visit 70 the theater, had examined
the dressing rooms assigned to them. and
were lingering for possible managerial
directions or for probable mall.
And I" agreed Carlton. lets go
back to the hotel" Chummily taking her
arm, he shook an emphatic finger at the
surroundings and asked, Got your bear
ings2 Or viii we find you tonight. ten
minutes before your cue. wandering