The Washington herald., 1913-03-16
That Is to Say, if the Young Girls Of Paris Had Any
Chance to Gather Pictures Of Actors and Hang Around
Stage Doors and Get Into Clandestine Cone
spondenoes, M. lie Barg Would Doubtless
Be the Object Of Their Tender Care

7 muttered ITEMS, items, ITEMS" at quick
intervals. as II letting of steam"
I surveyed him furtively. Hat still on
his head and Just mere suspicion to the
side. clothes simply perfection.
An clephant-gray morning coat suit. q
black tie knotted with greatest care and
garnished with a chaste pearl pin. shoes
Of patent leather with gray uppers and
i gray gloves Of the same shade.
Oh, II he had only been as restfu! as
his clothes!
He has lost a little of his sveltness. but
he is still exceedingly well set UP and
holds himself like a sportsman. He has
a girlishly fair skin. curling gray hair.
very handsome features and mild blue
eyes. But II his eyes are mild. his mouth
is not 1t turns up a little at the side in
a slightly sardonic way. and 1t is thin
Tipped and rather severe.
It belongs to a Roman statesman. that
mouth. and is quite out Of place with
those gentle orbs above It.
A MOMENT OF GREAT RELIEF.
really was enormously relieved at the
idea that he would write out the answers
to the questions. It's such an easy way
volunteer to do the work. and I was Just
beginning to congratulate myself and re-
gain my poise when he suddenly stopped
his walking race with himself and hred
few more hasty words at me.
Il think I'll answer them now." he said
crisply. and collapsed into a chair. remov-
ing the end Of the cigarette from his
mouth and still waving the paper.
Wouldn't you prefer sending them to
me? 1t may be difficult to-
don't know what I was going to say.
for was unable to finish the sentence
even in my mind.
"Difficult?" he interrupted. But not at
ALL I can get through these in a quarter
of an hour
Then he began.
AS TO MATINEE IDOLS.
IT don't understand this first one" he
mumbled. as he read It over. Well skip
that"
"Oh. please" cried in CONSERVATION.
please don't skip that. III explain It to
you"
1t was about Matinee Idols in Paris, and
Of course he hadn't gathered what I meant
at all. for there is no adequate express
sion for It in this Language, and. though I
had done the best I could on paper. !
hadn't come within miles Of It.
took my courage in my hands at this
point and labored with him.
I explained our Young Person to him.
pointed out what factor she Is in the
theatre and how she goes TO matinees
without Mommer or Pepper, and can
shower girlish attentions upon the Idol
without any one taking It seriously. I
had to get it all out at express speed. but.
I fatter myself. he was interested.
IT is OUT OF THE QUESTION.
Anyway. he spoke a trihe more slowly !
when he answered. and gave me chance
to realize what a beautiful voice he has. !
when he isn't rushing It
That sort Of thing couldn't exist here"
he informed me. not without a certain |
superiority. You understand that the
young girl in France has very little free
dom and she is naturally conventional in |
consequence. It would not occur to her to |
express her ad -niration in any such man. |
ner"
Doesn't she even write Just harmless
little note to tell her favorite actor what |
a wonderful Romeo or Hamlet or Her !
mani he is?"
well. that has been DONE" he admitted. |
but the incident would close there. and |
1t would be most exceptional. anyhow. |
The conditions are absolutely different |
The French actor, no matter how much
his art is appreciated. is never a-what
did you name it?-a Matinees Idol"
Would he like to be?'
He smiled in chilly sort OF way and |
went on talking.
"A French girl. however. sometimes
conceives romantic attachments for her
teachers and masters, but these are very
harmless"
"oh, we'll, go is our Matinee Idol wor-
ship" ! assured him.
He had looked a trifie reminiscent as he
spoke of romantic attachments to teach
ers and masters. and wondered If he was
recalling the time when he was a hand
some young teacher at the Conservatoire
and Mime. Simone was a Gawky young
girl pupil. who gazed at him with adora-
ton. until at last he made inquiries about