Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-03-22

have come into his life. The next day
he did not take his "bracer." The
third day OF his apprenticeship he APP
peared eleanly shaver and more pres
entable in his general appearance.
you've spoiled tire naturallp grum-
bled the actor.
"Oh, can fix 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-henrted. sincere little cren-
ture.
you go my way" she told him, '.for
which ] am glad, IL / can walk with
you"
you honor me-" said Evans with a
culver In his voice. and somehow his
soul opened.
He WIS influenced 10 tell Miss Burr
something " his pasy life ana honest
regret was esldenced ia hts utterances.
There was a sympathetic pressure to
her hand as she babe him good night.
II was the last night Of the week,
and the performance was concluded.
Nina was standing talking TO the man
ager us TO continued employment,
when suddenly Evans sprang forward.
a rotted tackle had given way under
a strain among the flies. A heavy piece
Of framed scenery came shooting
down. On his higher shoulders, tyaced
like u gladiator, Evans cnught the low
er metai-bound edge Of the scene.
Back, out OF the wayF' 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
with broken arm. The manager who
had 10 bear the responsibility OF the &C.
cident was terribly clustered, He was
for sending his injured employee to q
hospital, Nina stepped to his side.
"He saved my life" she said simply.
1T VIII save you money to have him
nursed at our home"
Raeked as he was with pain, Evans
gave his little friend q grateful look
and experienced glow Of delight that
brought him TO the very threshold OF
love. The manager ordered taxicab
and left all arrangements for the com.
fort Of the sufferer TO Nina,
There was a spare room ut the hum
bic home Of Nina. Her mother was
able 20 get about most Of the time.
For a week Evans was confined to In
doors. II was week OF rest. OF men.
tal and moral reeuperation. Nina and
her mother scarcely knew him when.
after his settlement with the theater-
people. he appeared before them well
dressed al the old blight Of drink de-
parted from his naturally handsome
and Intelligent face. He secured q
room nearby. and during two weeks
eonyalcscenee was a daily visitor a
the nstie basaa whore me- was w'el.
come
Richard Evans had seen on the MIN
ie stage displayed the sure ending Of
the Inebriate. II had presented facts
10 which be had taken part and had
impressed him But IL was the sweet
Influence Of Nina that had sustained
him in his struggle against the demon
Of drink. And Nina was proud Of II.
She acted Il, she told him 70. 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 a. proofreader on a
newspaper a line In which be was pro-
ncient.
Il shall never forget. nor | guess
regret my brief experience on the
stage said Nina one evening, as with
Richard she was on her way to select
with Richard birthday gift for her
mother. 1T 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 nowT"
Whatever Is in your life Is Of IN
terest TO me, Richard" replied Nina
simply, and she looked up. smiling love
into hts earnest eyes.