The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-03-03

direct from the theater where Miss
Starr danced In the first row. they
were in evening dress. Samson men.
tally acknowledged, though with in
stinctive disfavor for the pair, that
both were, in a way, handsome. Col
lasso drew him aside to whisper inl-
portantly: ...,. ~ ..." -
Make yourself agreeable to Farbish.
He is received in the most exclusive
society, and Is a connoisseur Of art.
II he takes fancy to you, he will
put you UP It the best clubs. think
shall sell him landscape"
The girl was talking rapidly and
loudly. She had at once taken the
center of the room, and her laughter
rang In free and egotistical peals
above the other voices. +.
Come, said the host, Il shall pre-
sent you" e.-'.
The boy shook hands, gazing with
his usual directness into the show.
girls large and deeply-pencilef eyes.
Farbish, standing at one side with
his hands in his pockets, looked on
with an air of slightly bored detach-
ment- ~. m..
His dress, his mannerisms, his bear
ing, were all those Of the man who has
overstudied his part. They were too
perfect, too obviously rehearsed
through years of social climbing. but
that was a defect Samson was not
yet prepared to recognize. ;.
Someone had naiveTy complinented
Miss Starr cn the leopard.skin cloak
she had just thrown from her, shapely
shoulders, and she turned promptly
and vivaciously to the. flatterer.
1T is nice, isn't it?" she prattled.
1T may look little up.stage for girl
who hasn't got line to read into
the piece, but these days one must
get the spotlight, or be dead one.
1t reminds me of a little run-in I had
with Graddy-he's our stage-dtrector,
you know" She paused, awaiting the
invitation to proceed, and, having re-.
'ceived 1t. went -gayly forward. Il was
ten minutes late, one day, for rehearsi
al, and Grady came up with that sar.
castle manner. OF his, and said: Miss
Starr, / don't doubt you are perfect
ly nice girl, and all that, but it rather
gets my goat. to figure out how, ON
salary of fifteen dollars a week.
you come to rehearsals in million
dollars worth of clothes, riding In q
Iimousine-and ten minutes late!''".
She broke of with the eager little
expression of awaiting applause, and,
having been satisfied, she added: II
was afraid that wasn't going to get a
laugh, after ALL" s. 3s ~
She glanced inquiringly ct5Samson,
who had not smiled, and who stood
looking puzzled. a....
"A penny for your thoughts. Mr.
South, from down South" she chal-
lenged. - R.5 ~. AJl&3 y r.
"I guess I'm sort Of like Mr.. Grad
dy," said the boy, slowly. II was just
wondering how you do do It." b.
He spoke with perfect seriousness,
and, after a moment, the girl broke
into prolonged peal of. laughter.
"oh, you are delicious!" she ex-
claimed. IF could do the ingenue
like that, believe me, I'D make some
hi" She came over. and, laying a
hand on each of the boys shoulders;
kissed him lightly on the cheek.
That's for droll boy!" she said.
That's the best line I've heard pulled
lately" wa, .... Sry s9l 1 y n I
Farbisli was smiling. in quiet amuiIe-
ment. He tapped the mountaineer on
the shoulder. a ,a .ssl,5 Z, \, ):
s I've heard George Lescott speak Of
you" he said, genially. tive! rather a
fancy for being among the discover
sers OF men Of talent. We must see
more Of eacu other" III 5Jt
Samson left the party early. and
with q sense of disgust.
Several days later. Samson was
alone in Lescott's studio. It was near
ing twilight, and he had laid aside a
volume Of De Maupassant, whose, sim
ple power had beguiled lin. The door
opened, and he saw the figure Of a
woman on the threshold. The boy
rose somewhat shyly from his seat,
and stood looking at her. she was as
richly dressed as Miss Starr had been.
but there was the same difference as
between the colors of the sunset sky
and the exaggerated daubs of Collas-
SOS landscape She stood at the door
moment, and then came forward
with her hand outstretched.
This Is Mr.. South, isn't it," she
asked. with frank friendliness in
her voice. .sf-
,"Yes, ma'am, that's my name" :.
I'm Adrienne Lescott," said the
girl. Il thought Id find my brother
here. l stopped by to drive him up
town." '. -'-.l -
Samson had hesitatingly taken the
gloved hand. and its grasp was firm
and stroag despite its ridiculous
smallness, -. 4a.. .:
81 reckon hell be back presently"
The boy was in doubt as to the proper
procedure. This was Lescott's studio.
and he was not certain whether or not
1t lay in his province to invite Les.
colts sister to take possession Of 1t.
Possibly. he ought to withdraw. is
ideas of social usages were very vague.
Then. j think III wait" announced
the girl. She threw off her fur coat,