The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-12-15


ed Loyeland. with that uncomproints-
Ing truthfulncss OF hts which was q
virtue or a vice. according as one had
reason to regard It.
The big woman flushed darkly
through her powder. There's no
lurch' about itr' she defended herself,
with a new sharpness In her tone. Il
don't intend 70 shell out any more Of
my good money carting Lille de Lisle
around the country as star: that's
all. You oughtn't TO complain I'm
offering you chance that lots OF real
actors would grab. You can 90 with
the new company and have better
partsssnd better pay than what you're
getting now. But you'll have to choose
right away between me--befween us
and Lille de Lisle. Well, what do you
sayY
Il say that choose Miss de Lisle,"
said Loveland.
Miss Moon burst out laughing hys-
tericaly.
Inefe. tolu you wnat you'd getI
calculated her husband
LET things alone. can't your she
snapped. "Gordon's only guying. amt
you, Gordon? Or anyhow. you don't
understand. When | said choose be-
tween u.s. there's nothing to choose.
for Lille de I.isle hasn't got thing
to offer you. and we have lot. We
can bust her up. and when she's bust
she Is bust. Why. she won't even
have any advertising paper 10 60 along
with II she wanted 10 go along on her
own Her name amt printed on any
Of the posters. took care Of that
starting out All we've got to do Is to
wire Chicago agent for new star. II
! don't choose 70 dc the starring my
self. and as many folks as we want.
Now. you see how things stand. don't
you:"
y think do" said Loveland-
"Well. what do yon decidef"
sTbe same that decided before"
She bounced up from her char. ke<
large face flaming. very well. then:
oil i've got left TO say is wish you
joy OF your choice and-good after
noon. You're no gentleman II you
play the sneak and tell"
ave given you my word not to do
that" Loveland assured her.
aMind. yon keep IL. wash my
hands OF you- cried the angry wo-
man. and. thinking thar be might as
well take this rs bis cue for exit. Love-
land left the room.
Hell hath no fury Ike woman
scorned.r be heard her husband quot
Ing. with vicious laugh. before there
had been time to shut the door.
Loyeland went up 10 his own room
more than a little troubled He had
learned to like Lille de Isle not only
for Bills sake. but for her own. She
was sweet. bright little creature. a
lady by nature. though not By birth or
education. and II she had a chance
might even yet. In spite Of bad train
Ing. become charming actress The
Moon woman was jealous of the stars
youth and prettiness. OF course. ana
now she meant TO play her rival a
shameful trick. yet be might not warn
the poor girl because Of that stupid
promise be had given.
There was one comfort, be consoled
himself-a new company could not be
formed In minute. This was Sat
urdny. Loreiand hoped that be might
bear from England In another week.
and az worst salaries were payable on
Saturdays lie would be the possessor
OF ten hard earned dollars that night
After all. salaries were not paid that
night. y. j." informed the expectant
members OF the company that business
hadn't run 10 t." They must wait
for their money I'LL next week. Bon
nerstown was bigger place than Ash
vile. and there was every prospect OF
better things for the future.
Sunday morning Jacobus. Miss Moon
and the two EccIeses did not appear at
breakfast time.
u can't believe they've really gone
and left US like this" pleaded the lit
lie star. wide eyed and pale. though
unnaturally composed.
With incredible stealth and cunning
the manager and bis family had slip
ped away In the night. leaving nothing
behind them but stranded, broken
aud pennIless company.