Williams news., 1917-03-08

have come into his life. The next day he did not take his "bracer." The third day of his apprenticeship he ap- peared cleanly shaven and more pres- entable in his general appearance.
 You've spoiled the natural 1" grum- bled the actor.
 "Oh, I can fix a makeup for the stage" declared Evans.
 He was greatly pleased after the night performance to find Miss Burr lingering at the stage door. She was an honest-hearted, sincere little crea- ture.
 You go my way" she told him, ''for which I am glad, if I can walk with you"
 You honor me-" said Evans with a quiver in his voice, and somehow his soul opened.
 He was influenced to tell Miss Burr something of his past life and honest regret was evidenced in his utterances. There was sympathetic pressure to her hand as she bade him good night. It was the last night of the week, and the performance was concluded. Nina was standing talking to the man. ager as to continued employment, when suddenly Evans sprang forward. A routed tackle had given way under strain among the flies. A heavy piece Of framed scenery came shooting down. On his higher shoulders, braced like gladiator, Evans caught the low CT metal-bound edge of the scene.
 ''Back, out of the way!" he shouted, and then as the affrighted Nina drew out of range of peril he dropped, and the heavy scene held him pinned to the stage floor.
 They got him out from under the wreck, his collar bone wrenched and had to bear the responsibility of the ac- cident was terribly fustered. He was for sending his injured employee to a hospital. Nina stepped to his side.
 "He saved my life," she said simply. Tt will save you money to have him nursed at our home"
 Hacked as he was with pain, Evans gave his little friend a grateful look and experienced glow of delight that brought him to the very threshold of love. The manager ordered a taxicab and left all arrangements for the con- fort of the sufferer to Nina.
 There was a spare room at the hum- ble home of Nina. Her mother was able to get about most of the time. For week Evans was confined to in- doors. It was a week of rest, of men, tai and moral recuperation. Nina and her mother scarcely knew him when, after his settlement with the theater- people, he appeared before them we'll dressed, all the old blight of drink de parted from his naturally handsome and intelligent face. He secured a room nearby, and during a two weeks convalescence was a daily visitor to the little home where he was well come.
 Richard Evans had seen on the mim- ic stage displayed the sure ending Of the inebriate. It had presented facts in which he had taken part and had impressed him. But it was the sweet influence of Nina that had sustained him in his struggle against the demon of drink. And Nina was proud of it. She acted 1t, she told him so. Fortune had smiled upon her again. She had got back her old place at office work, and there were new congratulations all around when Richard announced his engagement as proofreader on a newspaper, line in which he was pro- ficient.
 T shall never forget, nor I guess regret my brief experience on the stage" said Nina one evening, as with Richard she was on her way to select with Richard a birthday gift for her mother. 'It gave me broader view of life."
 And you met me, and brought me forth brand from the burning" spoke Richard. "Nina, can I speak out my heart, here and now?"
 Whatever is in your life is of in- terest to me, Richard" replied Nina simply, and she looked up, smiling love into his earnest eyes.