The Washington herald., 1917-03-22

There was a terrible hotel fire las.
week Some Of you probably read Of It.
but I won't tell you where It was, those
who don't know. for the sake of the girl
herself. Maybe she didn't care, but she
does now.
What we call a road show had started
out from New York the week before 7
left home. playing a well known musical
comedy that had made q hit on Broad
way all last summer and fall. In taking
II on the road. several of the principals
dropped out of the cast. and their places
were filled by less high-priced people.
heard Mother say that Adele D. was
singing the principal role. She is a charm
ing woman and an old friend OF ours,
one of the real artistes OF her profession
and a friend to every girl in her COM
pany.
She wrote Us when they played Hart
ford in January
The show seems to go very well, but
I think We will get a new Pedro. 1 do
not like the chap who Is singing 1t now.
His voice Is fair enough, and he is really
very good looking. but, so far, he seems
to think OF nothing but how many girls
he can get to make fools of themselves
over him in each town we play. 1t Ia
simply sickening. and I won't have It.
Neither will Randy. He'll probably be
She sent her route. and Mother meant
to answer. but before she had time there
came the news in the papers OF the
awful hotel fire and loss OF life. Adele
herself was saved, and while all lost
their baggage. no one of the company
was killed. But we had a long letter
from Adele herself which told a far sad
der story. I thought. Randolph was the
manager Of the show. called Randy by
l. III md
respected and liked man, but rather
rough h-and-ready in his ways.
II shall never as long as I live forget
Monday night she wrote. ut was
about two in the morning. and the
weather eight below zero. We were play
ing split dates up through here, and
had to make an early jump out at six
thirty for the train. Every ybody was worn
out. as Randy had been calling extra re-
hearsals for a new comedian who Joined
US Wednesday. s simply could not make
- : Pedro. and he was to leave US
in Chicago. =.
'N.r,,. ~r were in Buffalo a week there
was the prettiest girl at the hotel who
waited on table In the dining room.
She was Just a flower. Charlotte, blue
eyes. short blonde curls and that visit
full. expectant look OF youth on her face.
She saw the show the first night. and
fell dead in love with s.. He really
did look quite prince-like in his make
up. 1t was pitiful to see her while we
were there. She looked at him with
her whole heart in her eyes while he
was eating, and If he asked her for cat
sup or Worcestershire. she blushed and
was in heaven. am sure, now, that
he really did make love to her in his
way. and made her think she would be
a success on the stage.
THE day after we left Buffalo. s.
showed me a letter he had from her. and
you know what I think Of a man who -ex-
hibits his private mail to other women.
But anyway. this was from PeCgie. Just
the usual gush a girl will write to an ac-
tor, only she said she was going to throw
up her place and follow the show.
Il don't care what happens to me so
long as l can be near you and see you.
she wrote him.
Little fool he laughed. with a cigar
between his teeth. 4 suppose Randy can
put her in the chorus on her looks
Things were IN a rush when We finished
the show the night of the fire. Randy was
busy getting ready for the early jump and
several OF the men stayed up with him.
smoking and chatting. Among them was
s.. Finally. about quarter of two. he