The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-23
THE EVENING Story
Wings of Fame.
(By Ella Randall Pearce

|
| with slip of yellow paper held gin
gerly in one hand. Her glance was
| ruefuI; her step was slow. She had
| just parted with her last two dollars
and received in return this yellow
slip printed with about a dozen names
of business firms that might require
her services.
In fancy the rasping tones of the
little black-bearded man who pre-
sided over the Office she had just left
came to her again, ticking off an in
ventory Of her personal stock. Carlotta
had applied for work as a commercial
art model.
mo good for costume-too short;
young-but features sharp; say, you
want to brighten up bit-snap; that's
what they all want! For lingerie
you're pretty thin, amt you? Turn
your head around-there. Yes, good
profile; good hair-might do for hats.
So the list of names Carlotta held
offered her the only possible means
she knew of by which she could stave
off the grim specter, Want. And the
black-bearded man had advised her to
brighten up!
WELL reflected Carlotta, as she
tucked the list into her handbag and
descended to the sunlighted street,
tits better than nothing; and that's
what L found in the other places. And
I don't want to go back, anyway. It's
a hard life, and nothing in it for mel"
That was what one year behind the
footlights had taught Carlotta. She
had come to the city from her home
in a remote but thriving little town,
where she had won agreeable and
inspiring encomiums by her work in
amateur theatricals and church con-
certs. She had come to conquer, full
of faith in herself and Astounding
enthusiasm. One year on the road
and a short season of walking about
the city from one theatrical agent to
another, searching in vain for a de-
sirable engagement for the coming
season, had brought the seeker of
rainbow hopes, the REIMBURSEMENT
of her dreams and the realization of
many bitter facts. .-.--
IF I really had the gift, 1 would
fight on" Carlotta had told herself
But I must find something to do.
cannot go back!"
There was no parents home wait
ing for her in Berwick, only an aunt
whom she had estranged by reason
of her flight, some friends who would
pity her because of her defeat, and
Jerry! Carlotta flushed hotly every
time she recalled that last interview
Jerry WardelPs protests and her own
assured persistence; his growing anger
and her hooking defiance. Oh, she
would never let him know. nowi
Inc rev letters Sno naQ sent TO n6r
home town during her absence had
been highly colored accounts of her
travels and experiences. LGtterly, she
had ceased to write
IF Jerry could see me now!" Car
lotta walked up the busy thorough
fare, with the morning sunlight mer-
cileSSly betraying the shiny surfaces
of her worn serge suit and the shah
biness of her faded hat. And if he
knew that am even hungry, and that
if I don't find work today I can't pay
my remit, who was to be famous
when Berwick next heard Of mel
Thoughts of Jerry Wardell had in
truded themselves very persistently of
late. Carlotta sometimes wondered
why he had seemed of SO little i'm
portance one year ago. Had the men
she had since met taught her the real
worth of the man she had deserted?
What was the state of Jerry's feelings
for her now? Perhaps he had forgot
ten-and then Carlottas heart ached
with a dull, torturing pain that made
her look more wistful and Woe begone |
than ever.
ing the names listed on her yellow
slip, Car1otta trudged that day, while |
the light of hope burned lower and |
lower. 1t was at the last place she |
called that desperation nerved her to |
unusual action.
cannot judge-let me show you"
She tossed off her shabby hat and |
caught up a sample shape fluffy with |
feathers. Her cheeks were flushed |
and her eyes sparkling. Over her
really splendid hair of coppery brown
the white plume curIed gracefully.
"And thisi" black poke bonnet
wreathed in pink roses was perched
jauntily on the girls head. The man
ager of the wholesale house of Trip
& Co. looked interested. The poke
bonnet was replaced by a smart rolling
sailor that had two sharp wings soar
ing above the crown. No one could
have worn that especial hat more be-
comingly than Carlotta.
to make a hit with it, said the mana
ger. ''Why, yes; we might photo
graph you for our catalogue. Getting
it out now. Say, what's your name?
Carlotta Best-there's name for the
Carlotta. You're engaged"
Thus it CHANGED that in the spring
of Trip & Co. there was
ing hat. THE Carlotta," and the face
of Miss Best was presented in five diff
ferent views.
In due time the spring catalogue of
Tripp & Co. found its way to various
customers throughout the
and one copy reached the
leading apparel store of Berwick
where young Mr.. Jerry Wardell, late
of the ste ok room, had been promoted
to the position of assistant buyer.
Here's a good model" he began;
then stood with staring eyes fixed on
the photograph of girls face tilted
under the brim of a rolling
sailor hat with outspread wings. "The
Carlotta," he repeated slowly. Why,