The Detroit times., 1914-02-17

she and the other seven snow sltl9
with their wonderful dresses ana
tisring hats. aud carrying long
handled parasols, followed the prlma
donna slowly down The stage Belle
Gordon, who was next 20 Fay, turn
ed and smiled 20 her encouragingiy.
Don't be scared, Fay, she wh1s-
pered, its just like Atlantic city.
But, as matter OF fact. Fay was
not at ali frightened Her eyes once
accustomed 10 the glare OF the root
lights, she found that Belle Gordon
was right and that as Far as shs was
concerned Broadway stage was Just
like the stage az Atlantic City. There
was the prima donna singing the
opening bars OF her song. precisely as
she had always sung them, and be-
You'd her were the footlights and the
musical director, with his white
kid gloves and gold-rimmed spec
tacles. and beyond him, rows OF black
coats and broad shirt-fronts, relieved
at intervals by the brilliant color OF
a womans dress.
The blurred rows OF faces grad
ually cleared, and she saw the smil-
ing features OF Max Lusk. She did
not smile back at him. but looked
quickly away 10 another part OF the
house. But wherever she looked.
whether it wA at the men in the
front rows or at the overdressed
women in the boxes, she found that
they were looking at her. and smil-
ing at her, as II to say, My. but
you're a very pretty girl. and we're
glad TO see you on Broadway"
Several times during the play she
looked for Fielding, but. could not
find him. II was the one disappoint-
Inent OF the evening, but she was
confident that he was in the the
alter and her secret hope was that he
too, would think her as pretty as the
others thought her. His words OF
praise were the only ones she really
cared to hear, and over and over
again, when she was on the stage
and in her dressing-room. il was with
sharp pang of regret that she re-
membered that she could not see him
until the following day. The bitter
ness that she had felt toward him
when she had received his letter at
Atlantic City was gone by now and
Aall she cared for was 10 be near him.
To have him tell her that he thought
her much the prettiest girl on the
stage, and that he cared for her more
than Blanche Wilmerding or any one
else in the whole world.
The Bellies of Barbary," continued
on its joyous way, and the first per-
f.x~ xut. al.
glory enough for every one concern
ed. The audience filed slowly out OF
the theater, happy in the thought
that there was at least one theater
in town where for many months one
could hear pretty music. laugh at
good comedy, and watch beautiful
girls cayort or move majestically
about the stage Behind the scenes
every one was happy because long
season on Broadway and the accom-
panying comforts and Injuries OF
New York were an assured fact.
When the curtain had fallen. i'm
Vulnerable kilograms OF good wishes
and boxes OF flowers were given out
by the stage doorkeeper TO almost
every member OF the company. To
Fay's lot fell telegram from Doris
Yorke, and two punches OF flowers
---one OF roses from Fielding. and a
great bouquet OF orchids from I.usk.
The big dressing-room OF the show
girls looked like flower shop at
Eastern time, but Lusk's was easily
the most conspicuous offering OF all.
and was enormously admired. by the
other girls. But II was Fielding's
roses and the telegram from Doris
that most appealed to Fay. The or
chids only served to remind her that
the automobile OF the donor was
waiting for her at the stage door.
ready to carry her of to supper
party that she in no way fancied. Her
thoughts were all OF Fielding and the
little supper they had planned and
she now thoroughly regretted the
sudden impulse that had PROMPTED
her to accept Lusk's invitation 10 the
party that he was giving in her
honor.
As Belle Gordon had also beer. ask
ed, the two girls went together in
Lusk's ear and met their host and
his other guests in the lobby OF the
Knickerbocker where he had decided
TO give the supper A large table
had been reserved for him in the
Armenonville room. Just inside one
or the windows leading 10 the ter
race, and It was therefore necessary
for his party TO traverse almost the
entire length or the restaurant.
The place was crowded with peo-
pie who had been 10 see the new
play and most or them were half
through their supper when Lusk and
lis friends made their entrance In
all ways IL was just as the little
broker would have PLANNED II the
orchestra was playing the song lift
from THE Bellies or Barbary." the
men and women that filled the room
TO OVERLOOKING were already enjoying
the exhilarating effects OF good food
and good drink, and were extremel,
happy in the consciousness OF havine
witnessed real success And wha,
meant much more 10 Max f,usk. "a,
looked Quite superb She wore tn,
.Aonly good evening dress she owned
u simple white tulle. but IL showef
!, OF her TAIN Nithe figure to wonder
IS ful advantage And as she followed
Lusk slowly along the aisles. forme,
by the crowded tables. few failed Il,
recognize the red-haired show-g
6 who had been the chief topic OF Cos
sip between the acts OF The Belle
of Barbary"
Bowing to the right aud left. an,
; fAirly beaming with satisfaction owe
. guest whose beauty attracted sucl
\ universal attention and admiration
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