The Washington herald., 1912-08-04

I well you are getting to be mystery
to us In America" I said. In my pleas
ATTEST company voice. You've neglected
Us 30 long"
| I'm sure 1t was Tree who smiled this
time. as he replied:
Il want to come-ah-much, very much.
Pm always intending to. but I can't. on
account of my public. They want me
here. Then. there's my theatre. should
have to let 1t. I'd like to go over for
about three months. and may be able to
manage 1t soon. Any day you might hear
the clatter Of my aeroplane."
Really. how nicer I exclaimed. But
would you like to come In an aeroplaner"
NO." confessed Sir Herbert, II can't
| honestly say / would. I'm er-not-er-
interested in leaving the pleasant earth
Just yet 1 try to persuade myself-er-
that II is for the sake of those remain
ing behind that hesitate. Still I shall
get to your country-if not In an aero
plane-er-somehow-a day soon
You may be sure of that"
Here he studied himself as Nero. then
as Falstaff. then as Hamlet. and II you
ask me think he was deciding which he
would play in America.
Have you many interests outside the
theatre, Sir HERBERT" I inquired. II
don't see how you have time to develop
any"
"Oh, I don't know. take q general
interest in things. I suppose. I read a
great deal, I write an occasional short
story, follow politics and-er-current
affairs"
Here he shuddered and sighed as he
murmured:
Don't. please-er-don't ask me II I am
engrossed in the won1an's suffrage ques-
ton
well. but aren't your" said. SEEKING
my cue with the agility Of a trained
actress.
Sir Herbert looked as II his tear ducts
might overflow any moment
VOTE FOR WOMEN LABoRERs.
There you are" he expostulated. IT
knew you would. Well. the fact is. l.
er-think that-ah-women have more I'M
portant things to do than to play the
trombone. Hustlins can't improve the
feminine sex. Personally" with a gen.
erous wave Of the hand, II would give
the vote to women laborers. But. you
know, women should stand for peace. not
war, shouldn't they" And he shook a
detected and weary head over the pres
ent situation
He really did want to talk about II.
You see, and It was just his clever way
Of Turing me on to ask his views. May
be he wasn't so tired as he appeared
The call boy sounded hfs warning note
IN another part of the theatre. Sir Her
bert didn't move. but did I rose to 80.
rfzL r nh nP
you as you are when you are" said
''Oh-er-TIl give you one" responded
Sir Herbert, and from a drawer he pro-
duced a recent picture of a rather fine
looking middle-aged man who bore not
the slightest relation to the bearded.
blear-eyed Fsgin to whom I'd been talk
ing.
Here" he whispered. conhdentially. as
he handed 1t to me. Here Is my most
unsuccessful impersonation-''
The call boy came nearer. then knocked.
I'm enormously sorry. you know" said
Sir Herbert. but
He pronounced 1t -enawmouthly." and
It was rather cute for a change.
-Oh. quite understand" / assured
him. and We both moved toward the door.
Still Sir Herbert fingered. He cast one
look at his many pictured parts. then
catching my eye he said:
II suppose II must seem rather esotisti-
cal to have SO many PORTRAITS of myself
about, but-sh-er-somehow they've Just
crept IN"
Then We walked down the stairs to-
gether. and Nancy and Bill Skies. the
dog and little Oliver. all appeared from
doors and passages and fol-
lowed IN our train
The Leading Actor Manager passed a
weary hand over his brow, waved me a
anguid but cordial goodby and vanished
n the wings.
! few round to the front I must know
Tree was Fagfn or Fagin was
Tree.
The scene was on. The Jew was talk
ng. He drawled he lisped. he sighed,
lie wheeZed-only there was more of
and all OF deeper color.
It's no use. I shall never know how
much of my interview was with Sir Her
vert the Knight and how much with
'agin the Jew.
Copyright. 1912. New-Tork TribunsJ.