The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-08

shine of Forty third street. with us
uneccustomed SUNDAY morning quiet
And he was smiling that rare and
melting smile of h's-the smile that
was said to make him look something
like a kewpie, and something like a
cupid, and a bit like an irno and very
much like an ANGEL. There was little
Of the first now: very much of the last.
why the poor little kid" said he
"the poor. lonely, stif1ed little crippled
up kid"
And here 1t must be revealed t you
that Sid Hahn did not marry the Gin
dereila OF the storage warehouse. HIS
did not marry anybody, and neither
did Josie. And yet there is a bit more
to this story-ten years more. IL you
must know-ten years. the end of
which found Josie a sparse. spectacled.
ana agile little cripple, as alert and
caustic as ever It found Sid Hahn
the most famous theatrical man of his
day. It found Sarah Haddon at the
fag-end of a career that had blazed
with triumph and adulation. She had
never had q success like "Splendour."
Indeed, there were those VIII said that
all the plays that followed had been
failures. carried to semi-success on the
strength Of that plays glorious past.
And then. in a mistaken moment.
they planned a revival of "Splendour."
Sarah Haddon would again play the
part that had become classic Faith
ers had told their children Of it-of
her beauty. her golden voice. the ex-
quisite grace of her the charm, the
tenderness, the pathos.
So they revived "Splendor" And
| men and women brought their sons and
daughters to see. And what they saw
was a stout. middle-aged woman in
| trht ~ fh1f
| made her look like a dowager. And
| when this woman Topped down on her
knees In the big scene at the close of
| the last act she had a rather dreadful
| time of it getting up again. And the
| audience. resentful, bewildered. cheat
ed of a precious memory. laughed.
| That laugh sealed the career of Sarah
| TIaddon.
| Away with it," cted the critics
through the columns of next morn
| ing's paper. And Sarah Haddon's day
i was done.
IT'S because I didn't wear the orig
inal black velvet drsss!" cried she.
with the unreasoning rage for which
she had always been famous IF
had worn It. everything would have
been different That dress had a good
luck charm. Where is 1t? I want it
don't care If they do take Off the
play. I want it. I want it."
\ Sid Hahn flushed uncomfortabiy.
We'll, If you must know. I gave it
away"
"To-to Josie Ffer. She took a no.
ton to it. and so I told her she could
have it," Then. as Sarah Haddon rose.
| dried her tears. and began to straight
4 en- her hat: Where are you going?'
i But she was off, and Sid Hahn could
only follow after. the Snowman in HIM
antieipat ting the scene that was to fol-
low. When ne reached the fourth floor
of the storehouse Sarah Haddon was
there ahead of him. The two women
one tall. .mperious. magnificent in
furs: the other shrunken. deformed.
shabby-stood staring at each other
/ rom opposites sides of the work table.
And between them, in a crumpled,
srey-black heap. lay the velvet gown.
IT don't care who says y can have
It," Josie Filters shril1 voice was say
ing. IT'S mine, and I'm going to keep
4 II. Mr.. Hahn himself gave it to me.
Didn't you. Mr.. Hahn? Didn't you say
II could have it-years ago?"
II Yes, Jo." said Sid Hahn. IT'S yours
to do with as you wish"
II Sarah Haddon, who never had been
denied anything in all her pampered
life turned to him now. Her bosom
rose and fell. She was breathing
sharply. but. S. HI" she cried. IT
4 want it, It's all I've got left in the
world Of what I used to be. want IT."
She began to cry. and 1t W: not act
ing.
Josie Fifer stood staring at her. her
eyes wide with horror and unbelief.
! why, say. listen! Listenl You can
have it. 1 didn't know you wanted it
as bad as that. why. you can have it.
/ want you to take 1t. Here"
/ She showed 1t across the table.
Sarah reached out for it quickly. She
rolled It up in a tight bundle and
whlsked or with il without a back
ward glance at Josie or at Hahn
The two stood staring at each other
lud.crously. Hahn spoke first
I'm sorry. Josie. That was nice Of
you. giving it to her like that
| But Josie did not seem to hear. Then
suddenly she began to laugh. She
laughed a high. shrill laugh, that was
not SO much an expression of mirth
as Of relief.
Sid Hahn put up a pudgy hand IN
protest "Josiei Pleased For the love
Of Heaven don't you go and get it,"
: ST wasn't hysterical. was just
laughing I've been about seventeen
years learning that taught"
Lets have the plot" said Hahn.
There isn't any. You gee. it's just
i well, I've just discovered how 10
works out After all these yearAi
She's had everything she wanted an
her life. And me. I've never had any.
thing. Not a thing. She's Travelled one
} way, and I've Travelled in the opposite
direction, and where has 1t brought use
Here we are. both fighting over an old
black velvet rag. Don't you see? Both
! wanting the same" She broke of.
with the little twisted smile on her lips
J again. 'Life's a strange thing"
II hope Josie. you don't claim any
originality for that remark" 70.
; piled Sid Hahn dryly.
1rU1led The sditOr sxroy, dnv,x.