Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-09-06

unoccupied Marie Durthy had re-
sponded TO the call of the stage.
With some little money saved from
her allowance and In company with
the chorus girl Marie WAS taking her
first peep at things in Gotham long be-
fore Miss Henley was aware OF her
fitting.
I'm going TO take you ito Rollins"
exclaimed the chorus girl the morning
after the two arrived in New York.
HE has keen eye for talent a: well
as form. and he can. II you maksa bit
with him. place you In his pony bal
let. Rehearsals start tomorrow at the
Rotterdam. you know"
Rollins. ballet master of national
prominence. welcomed Mabel enthusi-
astically. She was to have speaking
part this season in The Mermaid"
rival production. but Rollins was
above petty jealousies. He listened TO
the girls plea for her friend. all the
while playing analytic eyes upon the
newcomer. Under other condition Iii
would hare been embarrassing TO the
girl.
I'VE have over 100 girls in the
'Nymph and the Naiad.'" volunteered
Rollins. his lean face alight. and. by
Jove, every one OF them can sing.
I'll give you a tryout on the piano. If
you don't make good It's nix to you
In our gentle merry-merry. although |
don't mind doing Mabel a favor pro-
vided 1t doesn't pull down the stand
ard of the show"
Marie. although a bit frightened. had
truly clever voice and one trained
beyond those of the usual aspiranls
She made good"
AS the girl. flushed with pleasure.
turned to so a sound came 10 her that
seemed to freeze the red IN her
heart. She stood in strained atti
tude listening. Rollins glanced NJ her
curiously
Are you such an admirer of genius"
he scoffed. that the mere voice of
Connie Durant can turn you into n
white statue:"
Connie Durantw gasped the girl.
"Who Is she?''
"She has never heard Of Connie Du.
rantr' came from the ballet master In
more than simulated horror. Lord.
child Where have you been all these
years? Miss Durant is the bright and
particular star of the 'Nymph and the
Naiad' and probably the highest sal
aried artistic on the American stage
She comes Of family of actors. Her
mother. grandmother and great-grand-
mother were all on the boards. and the
sprightly antics of the viyacious Con-
ME are household topics. Still you
ask. Who is Connie DurantT For
shame. girl
The terrorizing voice grew In volume
as its owner came nearer. or whom
did 1t remind Marie? or whom but
MARIE"
The girl turned quickly and glanced
into the Mortified eyes of her aunt
Miss Constance eyed her niece Sc
verely. But what changed Miss Con-
stance. The prim, old fashioned curls.
| coiled ropes of hair and tortoise shell
| DdCk COlDD NCIG RObt. anu ~ AhSH
place rested low. modish wave. The
ancient dress always worn by the aunt
| while visiting the school-that hideous
| furbelowed monstrosity. the shame OF
her relative and the delight Of the
other scholars-had given way TO n
delightful creation whispering of the
gay city across seas A slim hand.
with tapering, well manicured fingers,
rested lightly on the arm of tall cav
alier, who was now gazing at his
beautiful companion curiously.
Miss Constance. metamorphosed into
this dazzling vision all of twenty
years younger than the sallow faced
aunt Marie had known. continued TO
stare at her frightened niece with
| great round eyes OF amazement. The
voice OF the woman had told the secret
| of her identity. But for this the run
away would not have known her
why that pose. CONNER" asked the
amused companion Of the actress
Have you found In the young lady an
embryo geniusl" He turned amusedly
to the girl. You're IN luck, kid" he
ventured. with laugh. The great
Connie has looked upon you with posi-
tive interest. and you may expect &c
take wonderful strides along histrionie
paths from now on"
mo comedy. Thomson" snapped the
one indicated as the great Connie
"As usual, you are rather Of an ass"
Granted. gracious lady" came from
the hummer. He swung his hat In I
grandiloquent bow. Granted Thini
you, fair mistress. that ] would be I
good comedian were II not so?'
The woman ignored him.
Marie" she said briefly. there arr
explanations to be made. want yo'
to come with me-"
1t was then that the boarding hous'
miss recovered her voice. Right. dea
J auntie." she said sweetly. Il think tina
there are explanations to be made"
Over luncheon IN an expensive res
taurant stories were exchanged.
your mother" began the actress
gazing across the table and into tn
admiring eyes OF the girl. was al
, artiste-a theatrical star-before sh
married your father. Our family hav
always been OF the stage, but 1t wa
her ambition to have you grow up Jus
Ike ordinary girls and away from tn
footlights.
"She made me promise TO keep m
; identity from you until you were safe
~ married and anchored In some goo
: mans home. Therefore ! adopted th
: old maid aunt role and placed you |
a boarding school Your future ha
] been a problem that has driven me a
4 | ,x,oet oro1~ uoradftorv fpNuonra