New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-17
By FRANK LOWELL NELSON

dvidualitics in poseur who deicd anything but the
cold figures Of the boxoiicc to say which the real
Handel.
Helen Brinslcy-but you may see her features on al
the dead walls pay your money down at the boxofce
The real Helen Brnslcy, however, you will have to
read the story to know
The woman was weak and stlcss. Her triumph was
over. Hcnccforth the nightly passage up The Rungs
Of the Ladder al in the days work for her. The
man was buoyan and ebullcnt. His greatest triumph
was reserved in the CRASHED teeth OF rival managers
over another Handel success the cry Of the critics that
the New Handel Thcatcr successfully launched
their prediction of two years life Broadway for "The
Rings of the Ladder.
81 insist, my dear Helen, it is you alone" Handel
was grgling. at wondcrful-wondcrful! No other
woman Of the stage no, not Bcrnhardt herself, could
have got out Of the play what you did. II was your
wonderful talent your compelling personality that put
it over
81 am fully aware Of all that, the woman answered
stlcSsly. But il is quite too great strain upon my
Imagination to believe that YOU really admit it in your
heart OF hearts. No, no, my dear Handel, you and
are both atrocous cyclists. suppose, such, we are
necessary to each other So why cannot we at least be
honest about 1t:
81 am afraid you hattcr me- Helen, returned Handel
with oily righteousness.
A NY reply the woman might have framed died upon
her lips. Her lace went gray IN tnc glare OF the
clectrcs Out of the knot Of oungcrs, and the
path Of the pair to the mousncs had stolen a shadow.
One time perhaps it may have been man. Now it
was but shadow. Only the soul OF the shadow looked
out through pair OF eyes unfathomabe the Slough
Of Dcspond. The eyes had met squarely the eyes OF
Helen Brinslcy.
Handel raised his ebony with angry gesture.
He was conscious only that his artistic soul had been
offended bv contact with Of those human derclics
drift .l,p, he If he Ct
humanity. The gesture with the cane was wasted. The
shadow had melted again into the night. Handel no.
tccd that the hand OF the woman upon his arm trem-
blcd as ii she in pc fit.
"To my car, Handel, quick She gaspcd
But my dear Helen, YOU were to come in my car.
You are to dine with tonight. The gods have been
good to us this night. The least we can offer them in
return is bation Of wine"
Not tonight am i-a little fantncss-anyth thing.
must get to my hotel. Another time She answered
in dsiontcd phrases.
The poscur instantly gave way to the practical man
Of business To have his highly paid star i'll, right
the heels Of tremendous first night succeSS-Iorrors!
He trcmblcd more violently than the at the
very thought Anxously he commanded his own
motor to make way for that Of Helen BrinSlcy, IN which
her maid already was installed
you will have doctor, Helen. ] will send you my
own You will take care Of yourself for my sake.
EVERYTHING remember, everything depends upon YOU.
There WAS panic in his voice he assisted the woman
into the car
at is nothing, Handel | shall be Ill right in the
morning Goodnight, she replied swccty, laying her
hand upon his arm with gesture that, ii it did not
bctray affection, at least savorcd Of good fellow
ship.
You must take good care Of your mistress, Kitty
there's a good girl said Handel paronizngly to the
maid as the door Of the motor closed
The machine whircd nosclcsly off. Handel stood at
the curb and watched it, the panic in his heart not
,,cd as he thought OF the thousands Of dollars in box
office potcntiaty that it carried. He thought-he
could not be postyc-that he saw the shadow drift
ON, Of the double tide along the sidewalk, cross the
street. and follow in the wake Of the disappear
ing car.