The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-08-18
The Luck of Larkin
By Stacy E. Baker
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Copyright. 1910, by Associated Literary Press

them neatly, won't be accountable
for what happens If you attempt to
60. Your hostess-I can vouch for
this-will be perfectly willing for you
to remain, although l should not ask
it if there was hospital, sanitarium
or decent hotel in the community
Larkin, too spent to protest, lay
back on his pillow. He had been put
to bed by the determined physician.
and slept.
Before the week was done the house
was cleared of patients with the one
exception of Larkin. He stayed on.
Every day he was fearful lest the
physician announce that he was well
enough to resume his interrupted
Journey.
where is your father?" asked the
actor one morning, gazing at the girl
with appreciative eyes. II haven't
seen him since the day of the wreck"
IL, why, he isn't here now,"
stammered the crimson-faced maid
She hurried from the room. Larkin
followed her exit with surprised eyes.
Hmm" muttered the man. II
wonder what I've said to hurt her
feelings. Come to think Of 1t, the
old chap didn't look very honest. May
be he is in jail" But when the girl
returned to the room the flush was
gone from her cheeks, and she was
her usual composed self. The subject
was not brought up again.
Larkin, by complaining about non.
existent pains, kept the doctor from
allowing him to leave the house.
He and his nurse became close
friends. There was nothing Of the
rustic about her. Her mind was keen
and broad. She was we'll informed.
Larkin delighted in telling her tales
of the stage; stories Of his own strug-
giles and the conservative success fol-
lowing. Miss Nun-this was her name
followed him with large eyes and a
wonderful interest.
II have always cared for the stage"
, she said simply, and brought him
around to the subject again.
Time went on. The day of Larkin's
return to the city could not be post
poned much longer. A contract and
tiresome rehearsals called him back.
With the spirit of his kind, the actor
carefully diagnosed his feelings for
this simple maid whom he was leav-
ing behind
Love-" he ruminated, land me, of
all people, to be listed for part in
the skit. The worst of it is I know
I'll forget my lines"
Il have a confession to make"
stammered the girl, her cheeks red.
81 don't want to answer you until
after you have heard it," Larkin had
proposed. II live here alone, and 1
wilfully led you to believe that the
man you saw at the wreck was my
father"
But he told me he was" persisted
Larkin.
HE lives in the next house down.
II wanted you myself. I didn't tell
you of your mistake My father and
mother are dead-and l am so lone
some"
Larkin made move as if to gather
her in his one good arm, but she held
up protesting hand.
Zone moment. I am not finished"
She looked at him half sorrowfully.
II have deceived you even more than
that" She stopped for faltering
second and then hurried on. II am
Nancy Nun, the California actress,
now under the management of the
Firnans and due to open my season in
New York next fall"
"You-Nance NUM-" gasped Larkin.
The girl flushed. II loved you," she
said simply. II wanted to be wooed
as other girls ere wooed. Can yop for
give me?"
Larkin did.