Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-05-29
WEEKLY
Short Story

BY ElIa Randall Fearce.

BY Ella Randall Fearce-
CarlotEa walked toward the elevator
shSft OF the great office building with .
a slip OF yellow paper held gingeriy In Z
one hand Her glance was rueful; her
step was slow. She had Just parted
with her last Swo dollars and received :
I'm return this yellow slip printed With I
about a dozen names Of business hr1n5 /
that might require her services.
In fancy the raspng tones OF the
lierle black-bearicd man who presided p
over the Office she had Just left came
TO her again, ticking on an inventory
of her personal stock. Carlotta had
applied for work as a commercial art
model.
no good for oOstumc-too short;
young-bus features sharp; say, you
want 10 brighten up a bit-snap; that's
what they all want! For lingerie
you're pretty thin. amt your Turn
your head around-ehere. Yes, good
profile good hair-might do for bats.
So the list OF names Carlotta held
offered her the only possible means
she knew by which she could stave on
the grim specter. Want. And the
black-bearded man had advised her 10
brighten up,
We'll" reflected Carlotta, as she
tucked the list into her handbag and
descended TO the sunlighted street,
Its better than nothing: and shat's
what | found in the other places
And 1 don't want to 90 back, anyway.
It's a hard life. and nothing In II for
mel"
That was what one year behind the
fooelights had taught CarlOtta- She
had come 70 the city from her home in
atarfrr rrn
where she had won agreeable and in
spring encontums by her work, In
amateur theatricals and church con-
certs. She had come % conquer, full
of faith in herself and Astounding en-
thusiasm one year on the road and
a short season OF walking aout the
city from one theatrical agent 10 an
other, searching In vain for a desir-
able eI.gagement for the coming sea-
son, mad brought the seeker of fame
and fortune TO the end Of her rainbow
hopes, the REIMBURSEMENT OF her
dreams and the realization OF many
bitter facts.
IF l really had the gifc, l would
fight on" Carlctta had told herself
"But I must find something 10 do.
cannot go back"
There was no parents home waiting
for her in Berwick, only an aunt whom
she had essranged by reason of heI
flight. some friends who would pity
her because of her defeat, and Jerry
Carlotta flushed hotly every time she
recalled the last intervtew-Jerry
Wardells protests and her own as
sured persistence; his growing anger
and her mocking defiance. on, she
would never les him know, nowi"
The few letters she had sent 60 hel
home town during her absence haS
been highly colored accounts Of he
travels and experience. Latterly sh'
had ceased to write.
"If Jerry could see me nowi" Car
lotta walked I'D The busy thorough
fare, with the morning sunlight merci
lossly betraying the shiny surfaces o
her worn serge suit and the shah
biness Of her faded hat. And IL b
knew that am even hungry, and tina
If don't find work today ] can't pa
my rent, who was 20 be famou
when Berwick next heard Of met"
Thoughts OF Jerry Warden had In
truded themselves very persistenly c
late. Carlotta sometimes wondere
why he had seemed OF so little I'm
portance one year ago Hsd the me
she had since met taughS her the re-
worth Of the man she had deserted
What was the state OF Jerry's feeling
for her now2 Perhaps he had fOrgo
ten-and then CarloSta's heart ache
with dnil. torturing pain that mad
her look more wistful and woe-begOn
than ever.
From one door 10 another. foilowin
the names listed on her yellow sill
Carlotta trudged that day, while Il
light of hope burned lower and lowe
II WAS ar the las rlaca she calls
that desperation nerved her to VI
usual action.
"Nait-before you decidei You ca
not judge-let me show you"
She tossed of her shabby hat az
caught up sample shape fuzzy Wi
feathers. Her cheeks were flushed al
her eyes sparkling over her real