Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-01-13

perhaps he thought IL ulun matter.
1T doesn't seem to-" retorted Val,
smiling family at his own hidden
meaning.
You're supposed to be the son of
the Duke of Highgate. Pa Winters
the duke, you know. OF course,
though, you haven't seen the whole
play yet, only your own scenes, so
you can't keep track Of everything.
You have only to walk on, or, rather,
waltz on with Miss Moon, you know.
And when she goes off and | come on
in girls clothes again you must say,
The next is mine. believe with en-
English drawl. But the parts down
on the program as Lord William
Vane'"
by Jove! I know Willy Vane. He's
in the Black Wa began Loveland.
but he bit his lip and broke of
abruptly.
1.-THE human flower" laughed. Il
don't suppose your friends lord.
though"
Loveland did not reply rs the choice
lay between Il fib and an affirmative.
You ought to know how lords be-
have more than any Of u.s. went on
the girl, "as you're an Englishman.
I suppose you've seen some?'
Yes, few" said Val cautiously.
Were they very haughty?'
al nf fboD,
We'll, as you've seen them you'll
know just how to act. and you look
zeal swell. Perhaps you'd rather
watch Jack Jacobus' big scene than
talk to me. I have to go, anyhow. in
about four minutes"
I'D rather talk to you than watch II
you'll let me because I have a message
for you from an old friend Of yours
that I've been wanting to tell you all
day." Loveland began hastily, not to
waste one of the four minutes. Il
wonder if you remember him-Bill Will
ing"
Bill Willing-a friend Of yoursP'
The girl spoke sharply In her surprise.
Then you haven't forgotten him."
Forgotten him? | never will to my
dying day."
Her voice quiyered little. for, like
most actresses Of her type, her emo
tons were as easily played upon as
harp strings.
Those are almost the words he used
about you" said Loveland. interested
in Lilies part of the broken love mel
ody as ssrE hs BAD been in Bills "only his
What were they-exactly
Shall tell you really?"
Yes; quick. quick"
HE said he always had loved you
and always would love you till his dy-
ing day."
"Oh" Lille de Isle gulped down a
small sob. II thought he'd forgotten
all about me long, long ago. He never
wrote"
mo; he told NE he didn't dare, or
something like that. but he couldn't
resist sending a message by me-"
IF you knew what 1t is to me to
hear from him again! How In the
world did you meet him.?
But that was a long story, and be-
fore Loveland could begin to sketch 1t
1.-THE human flower" heard her cue. With
professional instinct she darted out Of
the entrance on to the stage and took
up her part as If she had thought Of
nothing else since she laid It down.
1t was not until the end of the third
act that there was the smallest chance
to continue the talk so suddenly bro
ken short Loveland had to change
back again into the beard, wig and
blood stained clothes Of murdered Dave
Dreadnought In order to appear as
ghost and wave his dead hand under
the remorseful Villains nose, but this
act Of retribution was reserved for the
end Of the play; therefore, encouraged
by Lille, Val stood half concealed in
the shadow Of some disused scenery
talking of Bill to Bills star.
He told her of Bills dog. Shake
- speare, the tiny creature who made up
lit for the lost little GAL" He told
her how o2.ii generally contrived TO put
aside dime each week TO buy stage
paper. solely in the hope of finding
news of her. He described Bits de-
light at hearing that she had become
''Star," with her own company. and
explained how it was by Bills wish
op6 o5v;,o that ha had writfaD tO ask
for his present engagement
IF only it was my company. really"
sighed the poor little star. wouldn't
just send for Bill to come out? But
! haven't got any more say than the
property man, and j. j. used to hate
Bill, because-because he was jealous.
You see, that was before Jacobus mar
ried. Oh, since you're friend Of BilPs
and he told you he cared about me l
can talk to you as II I'd known you
forever. If Bill had asked me to mar
~ him ! would In minute. But he
never did. ! wasn't sure he ever real
" cared till what you said tonight
kIwas the best man l ever knew"
I'D Insure he isn't the best ever
than be quiaeIL oveland.
head if he wasn't begged with MIN
way too ohoTt 9ou sighed
Yes" Loveland answered "1 d,dn,.
Always, but then | used not to undar.
stand"