The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-02-23

obligated TO the FrenChman. but he
had a genuine reverence for his abil-
ity and affection for his kindly ironic
personality.
You are Respondent" said the old
man. Let me offer you a glass Of
wine" And under his kindly treat
ment Holcomb poured forth what he
called the wretched climax of n
wretched endeavor.
You are wrong there" said Vavin
you have written a good play-not n
remarkable play, but 1t is damnably
prepared. that play of yours. You and
| will see that it Is still made a sue
cess"
"You and IL" repeated Holcomb
YES. you and l. You have never
been in Paris: Then You do not know
why French plays succeed There
are man, reasons. but those plays.
monsieur. are wonderfully well re
hearsed. Pardon me if for Il moment
| change the subject. You love Miss
F%ullerton?"
Il do"
You have old her.
Il have"
Tell her again and again. The spirit
Is wounded. You have been weak. my
boy. A sensitive girl who has had
fighting conditions all her life cannot
be handled at first as the woman who
Is grown up and who is strong. who
has had sympathy and who has tasted
Of success. Now. again, this profess
sion of yours. You are anxious to
write plays. Why-the money!
Not entirely" replied liolcomb. 81
have made Il living ever since | was
ten years old. but | see things that
way. Some fellows see pictures-they
paint. Some see buildings-they plan.
| see men and women. and my men
and women collide and persuade-and
fight"
You see them here" said Vavin. in
dicating his forehead. You have
been
Certainly" replied Holcomb.
but the public said V~avin-"what
of it? Do you think of the influence
that you have on the public? Are you
thinking of your public when you
writer"
IIolcomb hesltated. He was not
quite sure that he had thought Of his
public.
at occurs to me sometimes" he said.
at must occur always" said Vavin
impreSsively. There is no suggestion
so subtle, so sure, so strong, as the sug-
gestion the playwright makes from
the stage to the people. | have white
hairs. Yours is dark. Believe me,
would give the rest of my life to go
back and take from my plays every
word that has made any man less
honest. less hopeful. less kind"
at is my play that leads you to say
this to me, monsieurT'
"Oh. no; pardon me-" replied Vavin,
"it is you. | have been asking ques-
lions about you. and | learned that-l
Shall be brief, monsieur-you have a
rival in your affection for my-little
friend Dora"
YES" said Holcomb YEARLY; 81
guess Graham Winthrop is very much
Of a rival just now"
"IIave you talked with her since
Yesterdays
mo: she has avoided me"
because she doubts" said Vavin-
doubts herself. and because of that
bring You here together tonight. -!
nm for you. my boy" and he held ou
his hand with a smile that had in it
more sunshine than Holcomb had
seen in many a day.
The telephone bell rang. and Vavin's
answer was TO say that the people
should come up. You got my note at
the thcater last night he said, tell
ing You to bring your manuscript with
You? Good" And as II knock sound
ed at the door he said to IlOlcoml
quickly, "Rcmini me Tonight that hcrt
is mooniiQht.'' and with this enigmatic
instruction he ushercd Dora, Winthrop
and Aunt Cornelia into the room.
Il am more than honored,' Navln
said. bowling to Aunt Cornelia and
shaking hands with Dora. by this
visit. | had wished to have a little
talk with Miss Fullerton about her act
ing and about herself"
~ don't see. NJ yavin," said the
spinster. why YOU cannot come with
us and Dora to Mrs Winthrop's aud
have our talk there"
Il should be most delighted" he
said; then. turning to Dora: Il have
my reasons for asking You to have
supper here with me and Mr.. Uclcomh
Will you not"
Ito be ~continued.)