The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-23
BY JULIET G. SAGER.
Copyright, 1913, by
Frederick A. Stokes Co.

gently. Dazed, Anne led the wa,
into the bedroom, where the CIR
took off her hat.
She came and put her arm
around her mother, laying he
cool, scented cheek against hers
You love me? Don't your"
Anne drew her close and hell
her.
"Of course / do" she said
with unconscious vehemence.
And you want me to be hap
Ply, don't you? You'll help me Il
be-"
'T'll do my best. Away
have, dear"
Then listen!" she whispered
coaxingly. I'm going to be al
actress, you know. And l wan
to start in my own mothers com
pany! l want to be in The Vic
tory with you!"
1t was SO ingenious, SO lik,
the little girl who used to beg fol
ponies when and-buttel
was a problem. that Anne laugh
ed with sudden relief.
you are a baby yet! Pray
what could you do in a Broadway
production?"
Elsie's arms frightened.
Il could play an ingenue part
mamma. I've done it. wal
with a stock company in Sar
Francisco all last summer, ant
they said / was the cleverest-'
"You were where?" Anne drew
back. slowly and stiffly. "No
don't kiss me now. must under
stand this-what you are say
ing"
Elsie pouted. There was {
flicker of apprehension in hel
eyes. but she told her sto ry will
brave front.
Yes, 1t was quite true that sh,
had been playing with a city com
pany, she said. She had Away
meant to be an actress. So a
soon as she had graduted-Aun
Phoebe wouldn't hear to it befor,
they had gone to San Francisco
and she had found an opening il
stock company there the frs
few weeks after she had playe,
all the ingenue parts.
And all the while I thou 9Th
you were at home-just a schoo
grill" Anna looked at her II
somber wonder. "Your letters
they came from there"
All their mail came and wen
through Grovelands. Elsie ex
planned gleefully. A neigh 30
there forwarded it both ways. Sh
had planned that herself, an,
wasn't 1t clever?
$50 you see. it's not SO silly
after all. for me to want to be II
1.-THE Victory" she laughed
You'll get me a part. won't yo,
mumsey? Please! Please, dear
est"
>Anne pushed her gently away.
TITS out of the question:" sh
said YEARLY. "The cast was fill
ed long ago. Anyhow, hav
nothing to say about engaging
people,"
But II you asked it as a very
very special favor? If you aske,
Mr.. Harland? He's such a frein,
of yours"
Harland-! The name sho
rocket-like through Anne's mind
She went quickly to the phon
ane asked for Mr.. Harland.
He answered with eagerness
Had her caller gone at last? Coul,
he come up now?
I'm afraid not, Phil. She
staying with me over night. In
sorry-but you'd better not com
up again"
"Oh, mammal" Elsie walled.
Call me up in the mornin,
Phil" she finished, in desperat
haste; and hung up the receive
without waiting for his reply.
Elsie's eyes were full of angry
disappointed tears.
THAT was horrid of you
mamma" she flashed out. "Yo,
knew I wanted to see him. L,
have asked him myself to give m
a part!"
Dear child, please don't tall
about that. It's impossible. Abso
lutely impossible, for more rea
sons than one" Anne spoke kind
ly but with decision. What
more. you must go home tomor
row. and stay there till"
Go home? Oh! Oh, I won't d
ln!"
Then Elsie burst into tears, an
threw herself down on the couch
you - you're unkind!" sh
sobbed. you don't love me-"
A grim shadow of a smile edge
Anne's lips for a second. The re
Iproach was as familiar as the voic
that uttered it. Just so, in thei
honeymoon days had Blair Mort
ended every argument in whic
he was beaten. But she sat dow
by the girl, and tried patiently &
console her.
why, you'll be here again +
November. child! Perhaps sooner
Don't cry so. What are a fey
weeks out of a girls life?"
BY degrees Elsie's sobs quieted
Present. with her face still
buried, she began TO coax to sta
till Saturday. anyhow.
Anne was honestly distressed
but every minute OF 1t stiffene