The Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1918-1919, 1919-04-10
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" OulCC WlLuOut uCAuys
Opportunity bouncing out at her like
a jack-in-the-box alarmed her. But
she faced it pluckily. She put on her
hat 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 theatec 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 a door
and returned to beckon him in. With
heart bounding high and bubbling at
her throat Daphne entered the theat-
| 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
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 suavity and
his eyes were even more enthusiastic
than his words. Daphne was at her
superlative degree and anxiety gave
her usefulness that was appealing
to Reben. 'Women's charms and visit
illnesses made up a large part Of his
wares in trade.
"Have you had any experience7"
"None"
STUDIED elOcutiOn?"
my life
Good! Amateur theatricalsT
"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"
II see" said Reben. and fell into n
profound meditation. studying Daphne
searchingly.
Duane seized the opportunity 10 rise
and say: "Well. I'll leave you two to-
gethcr 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
floor 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 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 eyesl"
He had 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 enyeloping hers. 1t was fat
hot hand. and his face was so close
that it 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
Rebens face, and she said, with &
, brave show of calm: MIR. Reben,
didn't come here to flirt with you and
| don't intend to. l came here for q
job as an actress. If this sort Of thing
. is a necessary part Of the job I'll &C
somewhere else."
! Reben backed away and stared al
her. He was rendered foolish by hel
rebuff and he stammered, "Why, L
l meant no HARM"
: She went ON with the Duane system
4 Of treatment: II know you didn't. Yor
l meant to be polite, but you don't have
to be so polite to me. l don't expec
2 it and don't like it,"
2 "Al right, all right !" Reben growled
pacing the floor again, but in a con
4 stantly receding path. He did no
e speak. He felt that he had made ;
D fool of himself, and he was embar
8 raised.
!: Daphne was so frightened with he
|
t ing: II suppose this means that 20,
d don't want me to work for you. It.
q true. then, what they say about tn
stage"
r Nonsense! OF course not! Rot
e 1 never see most Of my people excep
e at rehearsals or performances. Tv
II never spoken to three-quarters of 'em
If you want a Job you can have it, an,
S no concessions are necessary. 70,
S don't have to make love to me. 70,
h make love to the audience, and If yo1
can capture that you can slap my fac
It every time you see me.'
Daphne was astOunded. She wa
o engaged! She was exultant an
y thrilled with gratitude to Duane 70
introducing her to this marvellous or
,v~kp e.