The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-02-17

OF WILL POWER
Where Earnest pressed my arm
as he whispered. Speed up there
was black and blue mark for
days. Margie." said Paula Il IN.
voluntarily shrank from him az he
did this instead OF leaning toward
him as should have done In the
play
This. OF course. made him more
angry. particularly as | could not.
even II death had been the penalty
for not doiug 90. put a bit OF life
or love into ms speeches.
For heavens sake. Paula. he
exclaimed NJ last. can't you act
lust a little or are you unutterably
stupidf You are running my scene.
can't get any tragic aspect leav'
Ing a Girl who. whatever words she
may be saying. shows by every pos
slble action. that she regards me
as a cad ~ not scoundrel.'
You notice Margie. Earnest
LaNton spoke Of what was doing
TO his scene. ie did not care a
particle what happened 10 me or
my scene.
Good God. girl. II you go on
walking thru your part like this.
ri have 20 ring down the curtain
and toll the audience that you
have been suddenly taken M
4 dld try 10 get back .ome OF
my old feeling. and I, may seem
strange 10 you. Hargie. but ! could
only do this by imagining was
talking 20 Jeff Pcrrygreen instead
Of Earnest I.Awton. ! was not IN
love with Jeff. but recognized his
worth and | had such n revulslon
OF feeling for Earnest that even his
slightest touch or tho sound OF his
carsksing tones caused me physical
nausea
Tho play travelled along 70 tho
big scene between Earnest and mo
Just before the last act. Ruth came
TO my dressing room She looked
frightened Paula. she said. you
must put more vim into your part.
~ can't. Ruth. | can't | said
llstlessly
yes. you can. You have much
more will md nerve than the aver
age woman. and I believe you can
do this n you try. other actresses
have played great parts wonderful
IS while under great stress and
trouble.
But. Ruth. said. I am not an
actress | nm only n poor little
lonely girl Who has had the very
props OF life pulled out from under
her
Ruth came over and almost
shook me as she said. Paula. hate
to think you are silly little fool
who has not stamina enough to
tear a love out OF her heart when
she finds II IL not worthy. Ny
dear child. love. IKE everything
else IN this world. II transitory.
You are surprised and hurt now AT
the unworthiness OF the man you
have been interested in 80 many
months. but surprise is the emo
ton OF n moment and hurts have
way Of healing in n very short
time.
Eternal love. my dear. Is pure
Is a figure OF speech. Already you
are beginning TO dislike Earnest
Lawtoa tell you, Paula. 1t Is one
81 the wisest dlspensations OF ma
turc that re are built so that we
can love and love and love all over
again with the same or greater In
tensity than We did before.
81 shall never love again !
said with guch decision that Ruth
laughed merrlly.
Eyes. you will. dear Many
times. and each time you will say
to yourself. as have all the great
lovers OF history, All the others
were mere emotional disturbances.
This and this only is real love.
Third act, shouted the call
boy, and Ruth hurried out rs she
had to he on the stage when the
curtain went up.
After she had gone ] took my
self TO task. MprRie. stood myself
IN in the corner of my dressing
room and harangued myself much
as Ruth had done. said, Paula
Newton, I'm this act you've got TO
prove whether you are an actress
Or Just foolish little girl who Will
allow a shallow love affair To ruin
her whole life. You have done
nothing for which you need be
You must 20 on and do
your best In this act II only to
show Earnest Lawton that you are
90 big, even II you are in his esti-
nation baby child. to be forever
made miserable by any man
worthless perfldy.
with this thought In mind. ]
walked on the stage. To act the part
had been living ever since ] had
tnown Earnest Lawton. Remem'
Der. said to myself. ON how you
get thru this scene depends your
whole future life.