Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-09-18
THE LADY EVELYN
A Story of Today

BY MAX PEMBERTON

FrenCh?" He put II TO her Win an oD-
ject she could not divine, though she
answered as quickly.
"They are entirely English both in
my preferences and my friendships"
was her reSly, nor could she have
told anyone why she put this affront
upon him.
She's going to make friends
enough out yonder in the FALL" said
lizard, whose quick ear caught the
tone of their conversation. II shall
take this company over in September
If we play to any money this side.
Miss Romney goes with me, and /
promise her good time any way.
Am nerica's the country for her talent.
You've too many played-out actors
over here. Most of them think them
selves beautiful, and that's why their
theatres close up"
He laughed fiattering tribute to
his own cleverness, as much as to say
My theatres never close up" Count
Odin ON his part smiled little dryly
as though he might yet have some
thing to say to the proposed arrange
Dent.
Are you looking forward to the
Journey, Miss Romney?" he asked Et-
ia in low voice.
II am not thinking at all about it,"
she said very truthfuly.
Then perhaps you are looking
backward" he suggested, but in such
low tone that even lizard did not
hear him.
When Eta turned her startled eyes
upon him, he was already addressing
some commonplace remark to his
hostess, while Mr.. Charles lizard
amused himself by diligently check
ing the total of the bill.
II could keep steam yacht on
what ] pay for wine in this hotel" he
remarked 1ovially, addressing himself
30 directly to the ladies that even his
good dame protested.
my dear Charles" she exclaimed,
you are not suggesting that have
drunk itf"
well, hope some one has" was
the affable retort. Let's go and
smoke. It's suffocating in here"
Eta had been greatly alarmed by
the Counts remark, though she was
very far from believing that IT could
bear the sinister Interpretation which
her nrst alarm had put upon 1t. This
fear Of discovery had dogged her
steps since she Quilted her home to
embark upon as wild an adventure a.
. young girl ever set her hand to; but
II discovery came, she reflected, 1t
would not be at the bidding of = for
slgner whom she had seen for the first
time In her life but a few days ago
Such wisdom permitted her quickly to
recover her composure. and she plead
"a the lateness Of the hour and her
swn fatigue ~ the best Of reasons
1or leaving the hotel.
II am glad you were pleased" she
said to lizard, holding out her hand
directly they entered the hall. "Of
course 1t has all been very dreadful
10 me and I'm still in dream about
It The newspapers will tell me the
truth tomorrow, feel sure Of It,"
He shook her hand and held II
while he answered her.
Don't you 90 thinking too much
about the newspapers" he said, with
. splendid sense of his own import
ance. When Charles lizard says that
q plays got to 90. it's going. my dear
though the great William Shakespeare
himself got out of his grave to write
It down. You've done very we'll to-
night and you'll do better when you
know your way about the stage. Go
home and sleep on that and let the
critics spread themselves as much as
they please"
As before, when she had first come
TO the hotel, Mrs. lizard defed the
warning glances thrown toward her
by the man OF business and repeated
her honest praise Of Etta's perform
ance
Its years since heard such en-
thusiasm in theatre" she admitted:
why, Charles was quite beside him.
self. ] do believe you made him cry,
my dear"
The mere suggestion that the great
man could shed tears under any cir
cumstsnces whatever appealed ire
sistibly to Connt odin's sense OF humor.
Put that in the advertisement and
you shall have all the town at your
theatre. An impressario's tears! They
should be gathered In cups of jasper
and OF gold. But imagine that they
will be-" he added gayly before wish.
ing Eta last goodnight.
1--WE shall meet again." he said to
her little way apart. 81 am the
true believer in the accident of des-
tiny. Let us say au revoir rather than
goodnight"
Eta looked him straight In the eyes
and said, Goodnight"
CHAPTER Nv.