El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-06
Condensed NooeI Series-One 4 Dog
Peg Wellington
Bv CHARLES READE.
(Condensation by Edward H. Crossby.)

DEG WOFFINGTON stood before the
| mirror IN her dressing room at
he Theater Royal Covent Garden,
London. She was alone with her
thoughts and they were both serious
and pleasant. il the play on her mobile
features could be taken as a criter-
ion. She was summing up her event
full career from the time when but a
child Of eight, cold, ragged and hun
cry, she had been found on the Des-
mond quay IN Dublin by an actress
who undertook her professional edu-
cation, TO the present moment. when,
as the reign.ng actress OF the British
capital. she he'd the world at her feet.
She was supreme in tragedy and cap
tivating in comedy and in private life
brilliant as a conTersauOnalist, with
a wit as keen as It was delightful
And the reflection her glass threw
back was one Of rare beauty. An oval
face crowned by tresses which
equalled the ebOn OF the ravens
plumage, lustrous eyes in which the
emotions constantly played and a
pOise that nothing apparently could
disturb. Yet there was a curious ex-
preston on Der handsome features, q
messed For Peg Wellington, for the
first time in her life, was in love.
She had many admirers and quite a
few flirtations, but they had ali been
ephemeral, As Peg Wellington could
quickly detect idle flattery and the
sycophancies Of the jeunesse doree
which hung about her shrine She
was a woman Of the world. keen, sus-
piciOus and cynical and while she
tOyed with her gallants. her heart
and soul we're in her work But one
evening she noticed in a box, a face
new 10 the theater. He was a man
evidently from the provinces but he
gazed at her with undisguised admir-
alton Night after night he was at
bis post, listening attentively to
every word she spoke and with an
unmistakable air Of respect
She waited. thinking like all the
others. he would seek an interview
but as time went on and he made no
attempt to bring about an acquaint-
ance. Pef's curiosity was piqued and
by guarded inquiries she learned that
he was Ernest Vane, a country gentle
nan Of means and reputed bachelor-
One night, however. Mr. Naues was
brought 70 the green room Dy slr
Charles Pomander, a man about town
who had long but unnecessarily
sought TO win Pegs favor Miss Wof-
ffngton was not in the room when
Mr.. Vane first arrived. He quickly
adapted himself 70 the novel sur
roundings and launched into a eulogy
of PEGS personal charms and his
trionic ability.
During Mr.. Vane's remarks Peg
had entered the room and overheard
her praises so eloquently sung and,
knowing that Mr.. Vane was unaware
Of her presence. she was impressed
with his sincerity. Then they were
introduced and Mr.. Vane was almost
speeches. with admiration All that
his Imagination had painted, was
more than realized Her ability her
intelligence, her gTaciOusness-We ere
overpowering and Mr.. Vane. in mis-
embarrassment. could only stammer
a few commonplace Here indeed
was q novelty and her curiosity
turned to interest
She was still cautious and would
treat her new found friend with vary
ing moods, sometimes cordial and
then again coldly. but all the while
she was learning more and more OF
the man who had come into her life.
As she stood before her mirror, she
was awaiting the arrival Of Mr. Nane-