The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-01-30

He mad no sooner gone than Reben's
manner changed slightly and Daphne's
courage vanished. Reben paced the
floor rs he talked. His path kept
slowly closing in around her like the
walls in Poe's story.
"You look like Miss Kemble," he
said. "You have somewhat the same
temperament. You like her style of
play. That may be your line. ! can't
tell. OF course ! don't know now well
you can act, Perhaps you never could.
kemble is great but she comes of an
old theatrical family. OF course you
have one great copital--your beauty;
for you are very beautiful, Miss Kip.
very. Let me see your eyes |"
He had right to ask II he were
going to hire her eyes, hut she looked
up cravenly, for the burly sutrnp was
leaning over her. His left hand was
ON the arm Of the chair, his right on
the back of II. His left hand was grad
ually cnvcloping hers. II was fat.
hot hand, and his face was so close
that 1t was blurred In her vision.
Then she remembered Dunne's
words. She controlled herself enough
to put them to the test.
She pretended TO look coldly into
Rehen's fnce, ana she said, with
brave show of calm: 'Air Reben, l
didn't come here 70 flirt with you and
/ don't intend to. | came here for a
Job as an actress. II this sort of thing
Is a necessary part of the job I'll go
somewhere else"
RChcA backed away and stared Mt
her file was rendered foolish by her
rchuh and he stnmmered, "Why, L
j meant no harm"
She went on with the Duane system
OF treatment: 81 know you didn't. You
meant to he polite, hut you don't have
to be so polite to me. l don't expect
II and don't like IT,"
"All right, all right !" Reben growled,
pacing the floor again, but In con-
stantly recedlng path. He did not
speak. He felt that he had made
fool of himself and he was embar-
rnsscd
Daphne was so frightened with her
success that she rot to her feet, say
ing: II suppose this means that you
don't want me to work for you. It's
true, then, what they say about the
stage"
Nonsense OF course not Rot!
never see most of my people except
Mt rehcarsals or performances. I've
never spoken to three-quarters of 'em.
II you want a job you can have II, and
no concessions are necessary. You
don't have to make love to me. You
make love to the audience. and II you
can capture that you can slap my face
every time you see me-"
Daphne was astounded. She was
engaged She was exultant and
thrilled with gratitude to Duane for
introducing her to this marvellous OPP
portunlty and for the wisdom Of his
counsel.
Reben said: "The general under
study of the Kemble company has
grown tired Of waiting for a chance
to appear In public. She's quitting me
this week for small part In road
company. You can have her place II
you want II. Do your"
"YOu bet-er--indeed / do, How
often does an understudy play?"
"As rarely as possible"
Daphne's JOY turned TO lead.
Reben added "But we don't pay by
performances. I'll pay you twenty
five week. You wanted money.
There's little OF 1t for start. Do
you want itT'
VIII 1t lead to anything better1"l
at might"
Am to understudy Miss KembleP"j
Yes, and all The other women,
roles"
"And when do you suppose I'll get
chance to play Miss Kemble's part n
SoOn2"
"Never, ] hope"
limits encouraging"
IF Miss Kemble fell III we'd ordl-l
narily refund the money, because she's
the star. But sometimes we might
have to give performance mt short
notice. Chances in the other parts
might come any day"
"And you'll give me better chance
when you CAM"
Indeed | will. If you have the gift.
the sooner find 1t out and the harder
| work 1t the more money | make.
The more you earn the more I make.
ia like to pay you ten thouclnd a
week"
"fd Ike to have you. All right
I'll try"
He Pressed button on his desk
once, then twice. The Office boy an
pcared, followed by the stenographcr
Reben said 70 the boy: as Mr.. Bat.
terSon here? Send him to me-" To
the stenographer he said: "Fin out
contruct for Miss Kip-Miss- What's
tn" first nare? Miss Daphne Kin.
SALARY twenty-five. Make 1t a three
year contract"
kcbon motionod her Qhsontly 70 her
chair and said, rather Tor Duanas
sake than for hers, She fcIt: Sr
down, won't you, tin the contracts
conner and pardon me II l."