Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1919-03-28

" AAo O1iiCC WlluOul u6ldy.
Opportunity bouncing out at her like
a jack-in-the-box alarmed her. But
she faced it pluckily. She put on her
nat with trembling hands and went
down in the elevator with Duane
They went up in an elevator at one
side of the lobby of the theater and
stepped out at Reben's office door. A
number Of somber and respondent
persons of a theatrical complexion
were waiting there also, the wretched
Lazaruses of art.
Duane spoke to a respectful office
boy, who disappeared through door
and returned to beckon him in. With
heart bounding high and bubbling at
her throat Daphne entered the 1heat-
rical world by one of its most gilded
portals.
The great Reben sat bulkily behind
an ornate table-desk and dismissed
still more ornate stenographer with
4 nod as he rose TO greet Duane.
Duane did the honors: ''Mr. Reben.
want to present you to Miss Kip,
Miss Daphne Kip"
Reben greeted her with suavitv and
his eyes We're even more enthusiastic
than his words. Daphne was at her
superlatiye degree and anxiety gave
her usefulness that was appealing
to Reben. Women's charms and visit
ILLNESSES. made up large part Of his
wares in trade.
"Have You had any experienced"
"None"
Studied elocution?"
Never. l never spoke piece In
my life
Good. Amateur theatricals?"
Never. l never seemed to care for
| them"
Better yet, What makes You think
YOU want to act now?"
Money. l want to earn money
get rich
Il see" said Reben. and fell into 4
profound meditation, studying Daphne
searchingfy
Duane seized the opportunity to rise
and say: We'll I'll leave you two to-
gether to talk terms. 1t would be In
delicate for me to know just how rich
Miss Kip Is going to be-"
he had no sooner gone than Reben's
manner changed slightly and Daphne's
courage vanished. Reben paced the
moor as 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. I can't
tell. OF course l don't know how we'll
YOU can act Perhaps you never could.
kemble is great, but she comes of an
! old theatrical family. Of course YOU
have one great capital-your beauty
for you are very beautiful Miss Kip,
very. Let ME see your eyes p
He had a right to ask if he were
/ going to hire her eyes, but she looked
up cravenly, for the burly satrap was
leaning over her. His left hand was
on the arm of the chair, his right on
the back of it. His left hand was grad.
ually enveloping hers. 1t was a fat
hot hand, and his face was so close
that 1t was blurred in her vision,
Then She remembered Duane's
words. She controlled herself enough
to put them to the test.
She pretended to look coldly into
Reben's face, and she said, with q
brave show of calm: Mr. Reben. |
didn't come here to f1irt with you and
don't intend to. I came here for q
job as an actress. If this sort Of thing
IS necessary part of the job I'll go
somewhere else"
| Reben backed away and stared at
her. He was rendered foolish by her
rebuff and he stammered, "Why, +
/ meant no harm"
She went on with the Duane system
OF treatment: II know you didn't. You
meant to be polite, but you don't have
to be so polite to me. I don't EXPECT
it and don't like it."
"All right, all right ~ Reben growled
pacing the floor again, but in con.
stantly receding path. He did not
speak. lie felt that he had made a
Aooi VI HIAuocll, anu he was emDlr-
rassed
Daphne was so frightened with her
success that she got to her feet. saw
Ing: Il 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
at rehearsals or performances. I've
never spoken to three-quarters of 'em
If you want job you can have it. and
no concessions are necessary. You
don't have to make love to me. You
make love to the audience, and if 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 90.
portunity and for the wisdom of his
| counsel.