The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-25
BY JULIET G. SAGER.
Copyright, 1918, by
Frederick A. Stokes Co.
Continued from our last issue.)

|
CONTINUED from our last issue.)
Anne read each notice through
calmly. And as calmly dismissed
Minna, promising that she would
go to bed almost at once. She
knew that the things she had
read were unfair, that she could
redeem herself, and that Elsie
was perfectly incapable of play
ing "Elfrida." But 1t cut deep.
And bitterest of all was the
knowledge she fought to stifle,
that 1t was all her daughters
fault, the whole miserable busi-
ness.
i've got to stand it," she
thought. 1--WE got to convince
them all yet. I'll play 'Elfrida'
all the better for this!"
And, in truth, an idea for the
improvement of one scene had al
ready come into her mind.
Rising, she hurried over to the
desk for her manuscript. The lit
tie old photograph of Elsie, lying
in a pigeonhole, was a sharp re-
finder of another dream that had
failed to come true, and as she
picked up her part" the lines
she had studied with such hap
piness and hope blurred through
sudden tears of desolation.
~ mustn't! / must think just
of tomorrow night" she mutter-
ed, and turned away quickly.
She had turned off the lights,
when there was a knock at the
door. She sprang up, thinking of
Harland, and trembling with
wild, foolish hope. 1t would be
like him. indignant at the critics,
to come with comfort and en-
couragement!
But: "Let me in, mamma! The
door is locked" came Elsie's
voice.
Anne's dry lips moved sound
lessly. and the doorknob ratified
|again.
ooh, you must let me in! Some
body's coming. and I'm not dress
ed! Hurry! Please
hurry"
The rafting grew frantic. Anne
hesitated desperately, and then,
gathering up the papers, tossed
them into corner behind a chair,
and opened the door. Elsie dodg-
ed in and slammed it shut with a
mischievous laugh.
where are the papers?" she
asked eagerly. 'I'm crazy to see
my notices."
"No! I'm tired, and
it's too late for talking"
Malicious amusement flashed
into Elsle's face and out again.
"Oh, l understand" she said,
ingenuously. They say such
horrid things you don't want me
to read them"
elsie! How-how dare your"
about me, l mean. The Re-
corder' was awfully kind, but
perhaps the others"
you've seen the Recorder?
Elsie nodded jubilantly. I'm
so happy that everything seems
like a dream. To think I'm really
in New York, and an actress, with
audiences applauding and critics
writing about me, and the author
bringing me home in a taxi"
Elsie ratified on joyously, never
noticing Anne's start of surprise
Harland was horribly disappoint
ed that he couldn't take her out
to supper, she said. But they were
going to morrow night, and al
soon as his royalties began t.
come in they would start on {
round of all the famous restau
rants In town.
Anne heard her not, quiet will
the very depth and deafness o
her torment. But when a paus,
! came, she spoke suavely enough
Don't make too many plans
Perhaps you will not be in Ne,
{ York much longer. Mr.. Inslee
thinking of transferring you to hi
! Western company"
= "Transferring-me?" The gin
: stood aghast. "Oh." she breatheC
a vindictive CLEAN lighting in he
eyes. "Oh!" You asked him {
do it,"
II agreed that it would be wis,
And you will have better pal
) and more salary"
II won't go! won't leave Ne
: York."
Anne shrugged. Tell that t
Inslee."
I. "I'll tell It to Harland, VIII,
/ it's ridiculous. I made the hit c
7 the evening! Everybody says s
and the critics and Insle
| himself--everybody!"
:. I'm a very small, very easy an
very good par >" Anne reminde
/ her.
:. "Then what couldn't I do in
big one, like-like 'Elfrida'Y
! There was q seconds silence
during which Elsie looked littl
! frightened. Then Anne smiled. IN
affectedly and CONTEMPORARY.
IL Perhaps you want to play 1t?
!. she asked.
I. Perhaps shall play it," tn
girl retorted, bridling.
II HAS one notice really gone
your head like that?"
NO, it's not the notice. ar
to understudy 1t. Phil promise
|. that tonight. And he said II 20
gave IL up-"