The Press., 1910-12-21

E%I N hating two weeks, with now
 f@%@%4 and then periods of despOnd-
 @4S&B ency, the result of the voltaie
 shocks that were administered to
 Dora's sensitiveness. She had known
 when she undertook the task that
 there would be things disagreeable in
 it and had simply made up her mind
 that, no matter what occurred, she
 would go through it bravely and have
 at least to her credit the fact of con-
 eluding one experience without wa
 Vering.
 The first two or three days nothing
 at all had occurred at rehearsals that
 in any way disturbed her eQuanimity.
 Tn fact, 1t was all interesting, exciting
 and. as far as she could observe, as re-
 fined as anything in her own exclusive
 life. Just the same as other men and
 women they came, they attended to
 business, they went, seemingly they met only on the stage. they were de ferential toward one another and aI- ways extremely polite. They were particularly polite toward her.
 It was during the fourth days re- hearsal that she received her first shock. The beetle browed manager of the troupe. who had been rehears- ing them with great suavity up to that time, came in half hour late this particular morning and slapped his hands vigorously Standing just u trifle unsteadily. with a cigar in his mouths instead of the ordinary salu- tation. Good morning. ladies and gen. tlemen," he beloved from his coign of vaatage in the orchestra, Come on. kids; let's get to this thing"
 Hes soused," remarked one of the actors to her in confidential way as he passed to take his position up stage. It was the first time that any body had spoken thus to her. With that one ''break" on the part of the manager the attitude of the whole company changed The remaining re hearsals had other Jarring notes in them-profanfty now and then-and as they got further into the play she be- gan 10 hear some of the gossip, and - following gossip there was the in evitAble scandal. It was this last that i made her fear most that she might not lk.a aalala- to gR through It, but just as her Tear was beginning to ttlKe yossreStoa.. of her MT. Holconb. who had main tained during the entire period of re- hearsals an attitude of respect and re- serve. came to her rescue.
 It was as they came out one warm | August afternoon both worn out by | the exertion and the heat, that instead | of parting at the corner of Sixth ave nue. as they usually did, he suggested | that they have something cooling to | drink She assented readily, and they | went iRtO a heighboring drug store.
 '.YOu are going through this splen. didly," be said to her when they were seated. t
 "I amY' she faltered.
 'SpIendidly," he said. '.At first did not think you would be able to stand it, especially when old Bleiman know that I shall be very glad to be of any assistance to you that can, and while. for your sake. it will not be too publie-that assistance-it will always be ready"
 'sNot too publieT' said Dora, turning a trihe red
 Holeoms looked a little embarrassed himself
 'I have Been on the stage only two years" he said. land I have learned one thing-that. while there is really no genuine cynicism there, there is | just trifiing ever present suspicion. It has. its eEn laws. It has its own They are different laws and different conventions from those which rule the rest of the world-the human world, might call it. You yesterday when Ludlow Tolunteared to carry your grip7'' "Yes," said Dora in amazement. 'You refused" said Holeomb. ''Did i Tou know, or wasthat just good luck ?''
 q don't like hlm," replied Dora, I and did not wish to be obligated to 2 Jim or be obliged to put up with his ] even with the advantage, of ! 'eing relieved of the grip-e - Y Then yen do not know the ruIe?'' s aid HoleoInb. '"The rule is this-it Is T Is those of the Medes and the Per. c dans-the moment that an actor isl f cen carrying the grip of a feminine c member of the same company 1t is as umed''- A "I don't think" said Dora, a little o tihly, we need talk about it any t lores | Iunderstand you" a n