Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-02-09

met SUCH man. one was IaSclnHIeu,
and went home with her head In a
whirl. He had asked them to be sure
to wait for him, after the performance
at the stage door, and Elizabeth In
fever of excitement dressed in the
best of her limited wardrobe, and
scarcely finished her dinner in her
haste to go.
Basil Winter, in the role of the IN
happy, but noble, self-sacrificing hero,
looked much handsomer than on the
street. He was really a good actor,
and the conquest of Elizabeth's poor
little heart was complete. After the
play Winter took the party to supper,
and Elizabeth made known her dram
attic aspirations.
"Why, l think Miss Barrett is leav-
ing us in about week." he said. "It's
only bit, but if you'd like to try it
would you?
Would she? Why the prospect of
being where she could see him every
day seemed heaven to her. She eager
ly acquiesced to his proposition; and
the following day it was arranged that
she should join the company. 1t was
when she had made known her deci-
sion to Earle Terry that he had tried
to dissuade her from going.
Elsie, quite elated over getting her
friend started on her career as real
actress, was helping her to get ready.
The question which had been burn
ing on Elizabeth's lips at last came
out. as he-married?" she asked.
II don't know. He never spoke of
wife, did he? No, guess he isn't
married." she answered.
Elizabeth Joined the company, Win
ter kindly coached her in the part, and
she became more madly infatuated
with him than ever. Occasionally he
took her to supper after the perform
ance, but always treated her with re-
spect.
One night she found that her room
at the hotel was next to his with con-
Meeting doors. Soon after arriving at
the close of the performance, she
| hStta VI a "oIhuh NoiNC III
with him. Her heart beating wildly
with jealousy-she listened. Indeed
as the woman's voice rose louder she
could not avoid hearing all that was
said
"Now see here, Baz," she said, II
know you're passing yourself off as a
single man; but when it comes to try
ing it on with me, your lawful wife,
and forgetting the existence of your
own kids, it's going q little too far"
"How many times must 1 tell you,"
he retorted angrily. "It's business in
this profesh. They don't want mar
ried man in lover leads"
That's all right, but 1t don't go
with the kids. Danny's feet are on
the ground, and Mabel's coat is so
shabby she can't 60 out of doors, and
the baby has got to have things. You
promised to send me money two weeks
ago, and"
"Well, I had to have clothes for the
part"
"Oh, no you didn't; you had to buy
ice creams and suppers for that new
est mash of yours, that little mushy
fool from Fernleigh."
"Say, Maud, don't call the girl
names. She may be poor simp, but
she's decent"
"rhey won't call her that long If
you keep on. The whole company Is
laughing at her Laura Jean Libby in
fatuation."
That's good business!' laughed
Winter. LET the good work go on
well I want to tell you that moth
ing is going on till l get that money.
l didn't take this trip for my health
"All right, but you've got to be quiet,
and make an early sneak"
"Say did you know Benston had his
eyes ON the Fernleigh girl. You'll have
to divvy up with him!" And she
laughed shrilly.
Il don't care. Let him take her
suppose he'll have to, or he won't
keep her in the company"
Poor little Elizabeth! 1t seemed to
her the room was whirling about her
and everything turning black; but she
hastily packed her belongings, left q
note for the manager, and rushed
headlong to the station. She didn't
know whether she could catch train
but she must get as far away from heI
terrible experience as she could.
Late the next day she arrived al
the old familiar station, wild eyed and
exhausted, but glad to be home. AL
most staggering under the weight OF
her valise, she went down the street
Suddenly someone lifted her load.
MAY l carry it?" asked familiar
voice.
20 Earle! !" was all she said. But M
understood.
HOW POET 0IIIETE0 H0RSE