Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-06


fame
Mabel Morley. only bit older than
Marie. was a chorus girl. Had Miss
Henley, tIe principal referred TO.
known this she would have broken the
intimacy existing between the two.
But she didnt. To the angular Miner
va of the boarding school Mabel was
rather pretty girl. of full form and
with n baby face and blue eyes that
seemed all innocence. The yellow hair
of the maid was worn down her back
in girIish braids.
Mabel was from the city. and she
visited an aged grandmother residing
near the boarding school. She and
Marie were friends of two vacations.
and Marie alone of all IN Clemmville.
the town wherein the school was To-
Gated. knew the girls secret-knew
that she was of the stage.
Two years Of this friendship could
only result I'm one thing. and the ter
rorized principal awoke one morning
IN find the chamber OF her star pupil
unoccupied Marie Durthy had re-
sponded to the cali of the stage.
With some little money saved from
her allowance aud 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
1itting
I'm going TO take you to Rollins"
exclaimed the chorus girl the morning
after the two arrived in New York.
HE has keen eye for talent as well
as form. and he can. if you make q hit
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-
asticully. She was TO have Il speaking
part this season in The Mermaid" Il
rival production. but Rollins was
above petty jeaIousics. He listened to
the girls plea for her friend. all the
while playing analytic eyes upon the
newcomer Under other conditions it
would have been embarrassing to the
girl
I'VE have over 100 girls in the
'Nymph and the Naiad.'" volunteered
Rollins. his lean face aIight. land. by
Jove. every one of them can sing.
I'll give you a tryout on the piano. If
you OoH ul'iEC s-BOu IL > ulA ~ you
in our gentle merry-merry. although I
don't mind doing Mabel a favor pro-
vided IT doesn't pull down the stand
ard OF the show"
Marie. although n bit frightened. had
a truly clever voice and one trained
beyond those of the usual aspirants.
She made good"
As the girl. flushed with pleasure.
turned to go n sound came to her that
seemed TO freeze the red blood in her
heart. She stood in u strained atti-
tude listening. Rollins glanced at her
curiously.
Are you such an admirer of genius"
he Scoffed. that the mere voice of
white statue?"
Connie Durant" gasped the girl.
''Who is she?''
''She has never heard Of Connie Du-
rnntw 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 4 family of actors. Her
mother. grandmother and great-grand-
mother were all on the boards, and the
sprightly antics of the vivacious 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. OF whom
did il remind Marie? OF 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 n changed Miss Con-
stance. The prim. old fashioned curls.
coiled ropes of hair and tortoise she'll
back comb were gone. and in their
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
delightful creation whispering of the |
gay city across seas. A slim hand, |
with taperlng, well manicured fingers. |
rested lightly on the arm of tall cav
alier. who was now gazing at his /
beautiful companion curiousy.
Miss Constance. metamorphosed into !