Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1910-07-21

THE FATE
~ FRANK /. OGDEN


stared. fascinated, at the girl in the
box. What If she should recognize
him?
Your cue" growled the loud voice
of the prompter in the wings. Don't
get stage fright. you fool"
Thus cautioned, Fred Airing, as
Morton Murdoch. poor but honest
chauffeur, dragged an essential
phrase from his reluctant lips and
strove to think of the work in hand.
This was Arling's home town.
Six months ago the ambitious youth
had given up a position as assistant
teller In the Clemtown bank to go to
New York and avail himself of an Of
fer of similar situation made some
months before by a friend of the fam
lily who was the president of a metro
politan banking institution
Arriving in New York-his first trip
to the city-he found his would-be
benefactor gone to Europe and the
other officials set of human icicles
with little interest in him, and abso-
lutely no intention of believing him
until the return of Mr.. Mink.
At home Airing had left family
high in local social circles and the
prettiest, fullest little fancee the
gods bad ever been blind enough to
give to mere man.
Arling's letters to the maid were
veritable rays of optimism. He stu
diously avoided mentioning, except in
vague phrases. his predicament, ex-
planning casually that Mink would re-
turn shortly and then he would be
given a desk in the bank.
Meanwhile the youth, while waiting
and rustling for makeshift job. was
reduced financially.
The days of Arlings misfortune
drifted into weeks. The want ads.
were carefully scanned each morning
for possible chances, but applicants
with local references were always
given the preference.
He exchanged hard luck stories
from time to time with other down.
and-outs. Scintillating in this class
was one Christwell. Christwell, tall.
long haired, lean jawed and with Jet
eyes sunk deep beneath shaggy brows.
was a shabby Thespian of the old
school. He struck up a sharp init
H2Scy with Airing, and cunningly drew
y sm out
You're trouping with fate" sighed
the old hummer at the completion of
the boys tale. And you're playing
the circuit of chance. The most I'M
likely thing in the world is the posi-
bility of your placing yourself with
a bank on the strength of that one lit
tie reference from-er-Clemtown
You had better take 1t easy until your
friend arrives"
81 was over at the 'Steenth National
today" confessed the youth, land they
told me that he won't be home for a
month or more"
The observing eyes of the actor
summed up the points of the tall. we'll
built Airing; his clean. keen face. his
black curly hair. his gift of clear
enunciation.
"If you care to troup bit, 1
place you His company is just or
-gani2ing now"
Airing started. But am no actor"
he answered. 81 never was on the
stage in my life"
so much the better. Canton, the
manager, have in mind, really pre-
fers to do his own educating"
Ia
arranged that Airing was to accom-
pany Christwell the next morning and
apply for the vacancy.
To the surprise of the youth, he was
promptly accepted and told to report
for rehearsal on the morning follow
ing. The old actor was also one of
the elect, and he volunteered to keep
an eye out for the youth, and coach
him In every way possible.
Airing made progress. Remem-
bering his lofty ambitions when he
outgrew Clemtown. he purposely ne
elected informing the folks at home
of this change In his fortunes. His
youthful dignity was above this job
He changed his name to Thomas
Keene.
Manager Canton, a nervous little
person, complimented Airing on his
quick perception of the essential
points of histrionic art. you do well
very WELL" indeed" he said.
Airing was the only inexperienced
,Tember of the company. All in all
x II was a creditable cast The adven
turer from Clemtown made arrange
ments to have his mail forwarded. and
his own correspondence mailed from
the big city This was managed fol
him by Christwell, who had friend
In Brooklyn. With the return of his
own friend from across the seas Ar
ling intended to come back to the city
and accept the banking position.
The youth rested easy until cop,
"a 40 rDuta LIST wna given him