The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
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choice-everybody knows that He musE have intended us to hear, but what he didn't give any high sign for, was for MT. Langdon to make jump and grab him by the throat. shouting that he'd have to eat his words or he'd kill him. Old Eclky is deathly afraid of @ light and began to holler for the stage crew, but got out my little old trusty hat-pin and promised anybody that came near two or three inches of it. so the men just stood around swearing and grinning behind their hands till MT. Pollock was licked to a standstiII and asked MT. Langdon to let up. Then Mir. Langdon, acting like Froh- man, Lee Shubert, and Dave Belasco rolled into one, ordered him out of the theatre, and he-wenti But while he was on his way I'd spied a pen and some ink on the prompt desk, and made Mary write out our joint resfg- nation which we handed to old Eclxy with business of much pomp as soon as the stage crew had gone back to work. It was knockout for old Eclxy. You see. he knew Mary had made a hit, and that the show had got over good. and to have to train in two new recruits for our parts before the next night was some job. So he turned on the soft soap and pretty nearly pro- posed marriage in his anxiety to do the right thing by us before he got through Then he got mad and began to sling language to make a stage hand blush, and so we beat it towards the door, and MT. Langdon marches up to Eclxy and hands him his card, saying calmly. These girls are quite within their rights because of what has happened. Added to which understand that you told Miss Page you didn't need her if she wouldn't accept the attentions of men obnoxious to her. We'll, I'm a lawyer and I'll look after their inter- ests. You can send your attorney to me at any time And he walked out and joined us. The girls had all come out by that time, and the crew were standing around and Ecky didn't dare say anything more, so we got away and went home-jobless but happy or course when we told them at home Mrs. Page said Mary must give up her stage career, but she was too spunky for that. She said no, that the mistake shed made was in getting a chorus job. and that if I was willing we might try for some small road company and work our way up in the drama would have followed Mary any place. so said was on, and we even talked MT. Langdon down before he Ieft.'
 That is all, thank you, Miss Barton" | said Langdon with & smile as she fin-
 ished, and Amy, looking around be- wildered. asked the judge conflden-
 tially.
 What do do now, your Honor?" You answer few questions for me-" said the prosecutor with a honied
 sweetness. Miss Barton, you are a very good actress. are you not?" "Go ask my press agenti" she an- swered pertly; and he flushed.
 'Well, at any rate you can be very convincing in saying things = let's call it reciting nnes-that have noth- ing to do with events that really hap pened, can't you? Especially in a sympathetic role?"
 Amy clincheu her little hands and frowned at him.
 If you're trying to put anything across" she said slowly. you've come to the wrong shop. I took the oath and I don't swear to tell the truth and then lie. I'm an actress, not lawyer A burst of laughter swept the room. and the judges gavel came down sharp ly. though the corners of his mouth twitched as he said to Amy: You must confine your remarks to answering the questions put you. Miss Barton"
 T am," she replied imperturbably. and the prosecutor flushed as he asked sharply:
 Isn't it true that you said you would do anything in the world to save Mary i Pager"
 'Tsn't it true that you're doing every thing in the world to ruin herr"
 That is not answering my question"
 roared the prosecutor. This is con- tempt of court--you have sworn to tell
 the truth--tell it."
 Tell it to a policemanI" scoffed Amy. T have told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and
 there isn't any more to tell. unless you'll let me tell you what poor busi-
 ness think you have for your part of the show"
 "Silence!" roared the judge and the prosecutor in unison, and now Amy. looking up at his Honor. smiled and UrOuSHt lHIo NleW ulIHples as Sue 5aiu quietly,
 Your Honor. don't mind answering questions, but I'm so used to being hollered at in rehearsals that the usual line of chatter just slips out" l Again a gale of laughter swept the
 room, the hysteric mirth of those
 whose emotions had been brought over
 close to the surface by tragedy. and the prosecutor, realizing that the pert
 ness of the actress was shield be-
 hind which he could not penetrate, and feeling that her testimony was after
 all unimportant. dismissed her with
 shrug.
 | At her glad. "Oh. can I go?" the laughter broke out afresh; but it died away when she ran straight to Mary's
 side, and before the bailiff or Langdon
 could stop her. had leaned over and 1 impulsively kissed her cheek. You darling!" she cried. and sud-
 denly burst into tears = the genuine childish sobs of one whose heart is
 ovsrhowing with pity. When she was | led back to the witness-room she was
 no longer an obscure little actress-she
 was famous. For the time at least she
 even overshadowed Mary = so much does the old world love those who laugh and yet have tender hearts be-
 heath the gaiety.
 | Gro be continued.l @as@@ss@@asas;ssssssssss@@@