The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-10-02

UNAWARE
BY AGNES q. SRoGAN.

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Barris sat before confusing litter
Of papers. and passed bis hand in trou-
bled fashion over his forehead.
Allan Rarris vas a play-writer. 81
we'll as manager Of various depart
ments connected with that work. H'H
ambition wax to present new and
truly great actress IN on. " his orig.
inal plays That tasira gsva no pom
ise Of tnldlImenf. Mn.trr-o'.fa"r ii
fairs continually r'aj:n"i his -icur.
Here. arnnns t'ie :;sr.- r.r. ritif'I;
letters. hag-in. U,r's " iimuS' ''"ry
kind--thoSa - rmfidm. wri'd-ba
"stars" y '.n:ri i r,....SS,:v 20 -
more. Ths r'-' ..'ma,i - ,,. fi'lnd with
inexnarien.." :.-'.s ,'s.rtn;n of their Own
hiStrionr ah:r-Y
Hera w,< IN. from 4 young wom-
al vino had ~ first written in the en-
rhusiaSm ot ,ure success. asking for q
certain part in one Of his prominent
plays. Though she was unfamiliar
with theatrical work." she frankly
confessed. she knew that she could
portray his character Of 'Normand'
faithfully" Her request for a per-
sonal interview and trial had been ig-
nored.
The second letter which came from
the aspirant was decidedly humble :;
she would be glad If "a few speaking
lines"
The next appeal was for IN inter
view only, and the last, which claimed
Allan Barris amused attention, was
for ONCE work Of any kind which he
could give her. She had suffered
strange misfortune" she wrote. and
her need was great"
The appeal touched him. not so
much by its pathos as BY its cheerful
persistence. He wrote the girl. ask
Ing her to call upon the following day,
and he had almost forgotten his indul-
gence when she was announced.
In his mind. Barris pictured his
frank applicant as glowing creature
garbed in popularity approved fashion.
Instead, It was a small gray-claf hg-
ure which awaited diffidently his invi-
tation from the doorway. The gray
dress was softly clinging. with quaint
kerchief about her shoulders. and 1t
was the girls shy. glanclng purple eyes
which, FIRST impressed him.
She had spoken advisedly, she was
unusually good looking"-"unusual"
was the word.
"Can you do stenography and type
writing" he asked.
The girl sadly shook her head.
"If you could give me other things
at first. would learn that later" she
spoke in a sort of soft eagerness.
Heretofore, had no opportunity
OF learning. Ny life was--all ease"
She caught her breath tremulously and
threw out her hands in 3 hopeless
gesture. The wistful eyes were misty
with tears. ..'
Everything changed for me In one
moment That was the strange. hard
,.-t ofj." 10
Quickly she brushed the tears from
her eyes and leaned toward Barris
Can you believe n,e." she asked,
that have now between me and
starvation just twenty-five centsr'''
At his astonished stare. she smiisd
suddenly. very bravely, Barris thought
;"Yf you VIII give me some workrto
DC at once that part Of the trouble VII
sosn be disposed Of" she told hims
The busy man. whose sympathy md
anxiety were usually bound up Ia his
own intricate work. found himself
moved now as he had never been
moved to pity and admiration. The
giris' sincerity could not be doubted {;
her plucky willingness to work herself
out Of q discouraging situation won
his immediate championship.
"You might begin" he suggested, by
answering that irritating telephone;
use your judgment as to whether re-
sponse upon my part Is Imperative or
may be postponed. I'm maddeninsly
busy"
The girl. her hat swiftly removed.
was already at the telephone.
Barris noted .approvingly the soft ar
rsngement Of her hair. in keeping some
way with the trim gray frock and 50
rious eyes For time he was not
disturbed by the telephone. continuing
his dictation to an observant young
woman typist. SubcOnsciously, at last,
he sensed the strangers troubled gaze
In his direction. Mutely, she seemed