Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-07-07

rection from whence be came. she 60
ing over toward Broadway again.
Spring merged into early summer,
and with the coming OF warmer days
she appeared more fraIl and dropping.
he was alarmed as be noticed her fail
ing health.
Once be asked her II she wasn't
ready to give 1t all up and go back
home"
mo-" she answered. but be detected
a shade Of hesitancy In her voice.
The Irish cop also saw she was
"lookin' BIT piney" and felt genuine
sympathy for her. He pondered on
whom and what they might be. but
failing of any reasonable conclusions,
the time as pair Of "sintimintal i'd
its"
One day they were sitting on a
bench near the fountain. Two gaudily
attired girls we're coming along one
Of the walks and must necessarily pass
them. Polly was Immediately covered
with confusion and prayed inwardly
that they might turn into another
path.
On they came, however. They were
If certain exaggerated type of chorus
| girl with which the theatrical profes-
sion is usually afflicted. In high heel
ed shoes they minced their steps, their
hats were enormous. their gowns were
| extreme In fashion. and no effort had
| been made TO conceal the fact that
,omplexions and hair were Of artificial
| .oIOring.
Polly glanced away, assuming not
TO see them, but her flaming cheeks
belied her pretense.
The girls snickered and coughed and
tried to attract her attention. looking
back until they were out OF sight.
who are theyy he asked, his voice
sterner than she had ever heard II
before.
"a couple of students at the dramat-
ic school," she replied. with forced in
| difference.
is that the kind they are where you
are learning to be an actress"
"Oh, few; not all, Of course. You
| see
"I'll go tomorrow and see for my
SELF" be interrupted decisively.
And be went
The class In dramatic art, in quite
abbreviated skirts. was engaged at its
| fencing lesson when the unannounced
| visitor strode into the room.
1t was a big. bare place. the dingy
walls hung with cheap prints and
posters Of well known members Of the
| theatrical profession. At one end Of
| the room was a stage with tawdry,
mismatched scenery and dusty fittings,
an ugly and glaring example Of sham
representation OF art and genius.
The fencing class. comprised Of
couple Of dozen, few Of whom were
men, was distributed over the main
floor at regular distances. A German
instructor. perspiring and voluble In
| his language, was calling out the
strokes and fuming because the class
had stopped and piled its attention on
the newcomer. Several of the girls
ogled him boldly, and the two who
had seen him with Polly In the park
CHANGED the remark:
"Polly's angel! Girls, that's Polly's
angelr'
He remained but minute or two,
taking a cool survey Of the premises
the while He had nothing to say to
the attendant who approached him.
He singled out Polly, and his gaze
rested steadily upon her for a mo-
ment. She resembled lily among
bunch of carnations. though she was
blushing painfully at the moment.
Then he retreated. slamming the
door after him with an expressive and
very jarring bang.
It was nearly a week before he vis-
tied the square again. She went daily.
and when he didn't appear at the
usual time she looked disappointed,
the corners Of her little mouth drew
down pathetically, and she went away.
He had not called upon her nor even
so much as written.
II thought they'd be havin' fare
up purity. soon." commented the cop.
"They was too swate altogether to
last"
Then he came again. She was wait
ing. and he greeted her pleasantly,
But there was a determined express
sion In his eyes that troubled her
peace of mind not little.
Polly" he said and so loud that
several Of the weary hoboes on the
benches woke up and looked around,
you're going home with me tomor.
row."
Polly started.
Home" she repeated inquiringly
Home? Why-why. it's fully two
months yet before the school closes
It would interfere tremendously with
my studies to go now. You see. Steve
II am to follow a dramatic career
must work for It."
But you're going home neverthe
less" he reiterated doggedly.
Il cannot go now. Indeed, l can
not" she protested.
"Well. dramatic career be hangedr
exclaimed the irreverent and unappre
ciative Steve plumping against the
back Of the bench sulkily. yet deter
minedly. When you came down her
to New York to learn acting we al
thought you were going In for tina
Shakespeare stuff and nice ladylik
plays where you'd wear long. trailing
dresses and all that sort Of thing. W
didn't suppose you would have to ge
mixed up in the short petticoated
kicking kind Of plays"
That Is merely practice. II come
lu the regular course of instruction
| rn,, 400 A N anfnr rnnof ho ntkod 20