Evening journal., 1916-02-12
~opyright. 1915 by Mcclure Publications.
CHAPTER I.
The New Star.

Hupyrtghts 1913, ~ McNlute Au"il~h'i'i'''
CHAPTER I.
The New Star.
"HE voice OF the stage director.
shrin with evaporation. be-
came suddenly distinct as
Mary opened the door Of her
dressing room. "Old Gex." as they
called him. was on his usual dress
rehearsal rampage" and she smiled
The raucous voice, now vituperative'
now satiric IN assumed pleading, came
in tonal waves as the director stormed
up and down the centre aisle amid the
shadows. while on the stage the players
themselves strove. with unconsciously
comic grimaces. 20 shield their eyes
sufficiently to see over the haring
footights as they listened to his TRADE.
Take that scene over.' he shouted
at last. Craig. begin your entrance
cue. Now And NORA-where's
NORA?"
Mary drew back with a little tremu-
lous sigh Of content, and. laying a
caressing hand on the canvas battle
ments Of a towering castle. drew in a
deep breath OF the conglomerate
9dors.
II was all so familiar; so much a
part OF her lifel And yet II seemed
only yesterday that she had stood In
much the same fashion IN the wings,
shabby and unknown. her lips dry and
her hands like ice. waiting for her re-
hearsal
II had not. after all. been so very
many years since that day, but they
had been long ones fun Of disillusion-
ment and hard work Yet TO Mary,
looking back at them through the
glamour OF their fruition. they seemed
very happy years leading up TO the
happier present. for tonight the great
haring letters Of the electric sign would
proclaim 20 all the world that Mary
Page was-a start Not the star OF a
socond-rate road troupe or a stock
company. but a Broadway star in the
exclusive Covington Theatre. that
Ultima thule OF the young actress.
For a moment the players blurred
before her eyes. and her lips quivered
with an emotion deeper than tears, but
The sound OF a familiar phrase brought
her sharply TO herself Her cue hae
sounded. and she gave last little
feminine twitch 10 hcr costume an'
ripped lightly out upon the stage.
She had forgotten that shc had heei
In the theatre since nine o'clock tina
morning. the endless repetition O
scene and act that had set every nerv
jangling slipped from her like dream
and she remembered only that she wa
NORA. playing the last splendid act o
the drama she loved And az the frs
sound OF her voice, so bravely gay
the tired players were suddenly galvan-
lied into action. Some part Of hci
radiant Joy seemed 10 filter into theiI
own souls. and dropping shoulders were
lifted and dun eyes frightened. A new
note crept into the witty badinage of
the lines. and with a sigh OF relief the
director took out his huge silk hand
kerchief and mopped his brow.
They've got it," he muttered 20 the
two other men who stood, indistin-
guishable shadows among shadows
"Sho puts the punch into II all right
"Gex is right" mumblod the shorter
of the two. Were going 10 make
few trust managers look sick with thi
play You wait-h you're from Mis-
souri,"
"Oh. the playl" sneered his com
panion "The play is rot It's Mar
Page that gets II over"
~Well. I'll grant you that too" &C
ouiesced Daniels in some haste. hi
eyes narrowing shrewdly. "She ca
sure deliver the goods every tim'
You didn't think 1 was trying TO han
HER anything. did your"
But David Pollock didn't answe
He was leaning over the seat in fror
staring at that gay little figure in Il
quaint costume. his eyes full OF brood
ing tenderness. his ears alert not
Miss a single tone in that clear youn
yoice
For to Pollock. Mary stood as N
,pitome OF all that was lovely an
desirable. Her youth, her vivacity an
perhaps most Of all the fiower-li'
innocence Of her filled him with
.umuItuous desire TO win her; to Civ
her the world for a plaything II sh
wanted it; TO MI her little hands wit
riches and Jewels II they pleased her
)ut TO have her-for himself
Young though she was. there was al
ways a little wistfulness I'm her eX
PRESTON that added to her beauty.
WAS as II some far-om sorrow ha
never been forgotten. David wondere
she was really happy today.
Ostensibly a wine merchant. Pollock
financial interests thrust their steel
ientacles into a hundred different en-
ieavors. not the smallest OF which wa
ne theatrical world. u was a say
ns that what Dave Pollock wante
Pc got and heaven help the man this
stood between; but back OF his war
II Mary hovered an intangible doul
fnd-when he was sober-thc bige,
Question of his own worthiness. an
row as he stood watching her the hari
ines OF his mouth and chin soften
md there was an unfamiliar note
his voice as he said musinely:
! wonder what she'n say when :
hears I've backed her 20 tho limit
hat 7 bought her stardom for n,
Has she asked about that side OF {
NO" said Daniels. q little nervous
She's such a little kid about so
hings she sort OF takes IL all
granted. But see here. Dave. d,
sou go tellin' her today stars.
'est of cm. are temperameutal as