Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-10-20
On the
Stairs
An Abrupt Meeting and
What II Led To
By CLARISSA MACKIE

There was windfall in the home
Of Linnie Wayland. In the free rural
delivery box Linnie found a letter
from attorneys in New York announc-
ing that a great-uncle of hers had died
and left her a legacy. It was not
much Of a legacy-only $500-but 1t
seemed an enormous sum to Iinnie.
She carried the letter into the house,
and by her radiant countenance the
family were informed that something
had happened.
The first excitement over, the Ques-
ton arose, What are you going to do
with it? Every one had different
proposition. One said, you'd better
set up a milliner's shop; you're 80
handy at hat trimming" Another sug-
gested trip. This probably would be
the only chance Lnnie would ever
have Of seeing anything Of the world.
The suggestions were of all kinds,
some practical. some ridiculous. Lin
ME was the only one who proposed
nothing, but she had an idea of her
own. She had seen travelling theatri-
cal companies and had been seized
with desire to distinguish herself as
an actress.
There was plenty of time to consider
tho matter, for the division of her I'M
cle's estate was slow, and 1t was q
long while before she received her
check. 1t was hard for her to realize
that so small bit of paper could
stand for SO large an amount. When
she received It her mind was made I'D,
and she announced to her family and
friends that she was going to New
York to study for the stage.
II there had been hubbub about the
way Llnnie should spend her legacy,
there was still more of one now that
she had decided upon method of do
ing 80. Those who advised her had no
experience on which to base their rec
concentrations. However, most OF
them had known of some country girl
who had tried to make an entry into
terribly disappointed or had never re-
turned at all. But not one had ever
been heard Of as even mediocre ac-
tress. But Linnie argued that she,
having enough money to enable her to
exist for some time without earning a
livelihood. would have much better
chance. SO to New York she went to
learn TO DO an actress.
The first hole In her $500 was made
by her fare. The second and larger
one was made by some lessons she
took from one who declared he could
make an actress Of her within few
months. But the few months passed
and she found she had scarcely made
n beginning. And yet her legacy was
nearly all gone. She tried to get an
engagement on what she knew, but
to all her applications a deaf ear was
turned.
And now commenced n period OF
starvation and rags. The poor girl
denied herself this and denied herself
that, every day cutting down her menu
till at last there was nothing left but
crackers and milk. The sight OF eata-
bles displayed in the windows Of res.
taurants made her all the hungrier.
But she knew II she yielded she would
take slice off the few dollars that re-
manned to her.
Her deficiency In clothes troubled her
as much as tho shortage In food. II
nothing succeeds like success, nothing
fails like failure. Linnie's forlorn ap-
pearance indicated that she was one OF
the worlds failures and was by no
means recommendation. When those
to whom she applied for an engage
ment saw her tawdry apparel they
turned deaf ear ut once.
One evening she opened the door of
her hall bedroom and peered out into
the dimly lighted corridor OF the top
floor
From the basement delicious OdOrs
OF roast lamb. with mint sauce, hoated
up the stairs to taunt hungry Llnnie.
Mrs Wray rented rooms and furnished
meals 10 select people, but she requir-
ed TINT the board be paid weekly with
Underwriting promptness. SO Linnie
had arranged to keep the hall room
nnd get her meals outside.
Why2
Because she needed the dwindlinR
store Of money to keep roof over her
bOnny head and one can eat around"
cheaper than paying 81 per week TO
Mrs. Wray
SO LinnIe. who had made luncheon
cover two meals that day, grew fright
fully hungry ana wondered II she dared
boil one Of the eggs she had bought on
her way home that night.
she couldn't smell boiled egg"
argued Llnnle M she withdrew her
head and locked her door. ~ shall try,
anyway"
She brought out n little gas attach.
ment and screwed 1t to her gas Jet. On
the resulting blue flame she set tiny
and presently into the boil
Ing water abe dropped an egg.
Later, rs she rayenOusly ate the boil.
cd egg with a rather dry acc0mpani.
ment Of crackers. she thought Of home
Her letters home were brave enough,
but she did not know that loving eyes
read discouragement between the lines.
When they sent money to her she In
returned H. saying that she
had enough left When she needed
amy she would write
But she was too proud to write, and