The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1910-10-01
OOOOOOOOOQ OOOl0OOOO
Angles Ambition
By GERALD PRIME
copyright 1910 by Associated Literary Press

OON|--~--' -
They were talking it over-Angie
and her pretty mother.
"It certainly must have been graft
fytng-in a way" said Mrs. Calhoun,
in her leisurely southern monotone.
Her daughter was buttering piece
Of toast, an occupation which seemed
to demand her utmost concentration.
Mrs. Calhoun slipped her tea in silence.
and with look of polite expectancy.
She always drank tea at breakfast,
habit which gave her an added dis
tinction in Alaabma, where such a
preference is unusual.
They were not in Alabama now.
Mrs. Calhoun regretted the fact, and
that they were perched-most tnse-
curely it seemed to heron the elev-
hotel She had been trying for at
least ten minutes to find out whether
or not her daughter shared her regret,
a bit of information which the young
er woman seemed inclined to withhold
for the present.
We'll, do you really feel-pleased
over your-I mean our venture?
continued Mrs. Calhoun, with gentle
insistence, putting down her cup and
saucer and letting her hands fall list
lessly into her lap.
This was a direct question, and as
such demanded an answer-even
though it came from her mother, who.
Angie knew perfectly well, would
have been neither hurt nor resentful
had her daughter elected to remain
silent.
NO." she said, with a little laugh
which did not ring right-a fact which
did not escape the attention of her
mother and added greatly to her dis
quietude-"it wasn't at all gratifying,
and I'm not bit pleased with it. 1
just hate 1.-THE whole business. from
beginning to end"
"Oh, Angie
81 knew it," the girl interrupted
recklessly. Il was determined to do
it and nothing could have prevented
me when the chance came. 1 wouldn't
have accepted a kingdom in exchange
for my opportunity to come to New
York and be an actress. An actress,
indeed"
You certainly have talent, Angie, a
heap of it," her mother affirmed 10y
ally
Not a little Bit" declared her
daughter positively. I'm Angela Cal
houn first, last and all the time, and 1
never lose my hateful identity for a
single minute. 1t makes no difference
whether the part is Queen Elizabeth
or Little Eva-Fm Angela Calhoun all
the time"
I'm mighty glad you are" said her
mother, with a sudden assumption of
spirit that almost transformed her.
Il hope nothing will ever happen to
change you into anybody else. That
is-unless-
Just so-unless," Angie came to
the rescue.
How they did applaud you last
night" said Mrs. Calhoun, returning
tactfully to the matter in hand. "All
those people must have enjoyed 1t, if
you didn't. though they never would
get enough of that last song. 1 don't
see how you can feel that it wasn't q
success. Everybody in the house was
delighted. Mr. Goldsmith was charm
ed. He came into the box to congratu-
late me, you. know"
w LAT ulu ne say!
He was too excited to saw much of
anything. Our little girls a big win
ner' was one thing. Really. Angie
when l saw how those people liked It
and were carrying on, 1 couldn't help
feeling-well. proud of you"
You dear! l wish for your sake
that l might do something really
worth WHILE" said Angie, in a voice
that was passing beyond her control.
Never mind, DEAR" becoming at
once the tender maternal CONSIDER:
you have but to say the word and
we will go south at once. We can go
back to Talladega in a blaze of glory
Your success last night has made that
possible. Shall l begin to pack I'D.
Angler"
That was all that was REQUIRED to
bring about instant reaction. The girl
abandoned her sensational lapse with
a dexterity that would have served her
admirably on the stage.
Don't let us be sentimental. NOM
sey," she said. I'VE really can't af-
ford it. No, we won't go back to Tai
ladega. There isn't soul in the town
that 1 ever want to set eyes on
again.
Mrs. Calhoun sighed family. .T
used to think that you and Geoff Mar
tin" she began. but Angie would not
permit her.
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