The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-19

his position already had been filled.
Now Gary was a vaudeviiiist him
self. Two years before he had been
popular on the stage. and had quit the
game only because he had grown tired
of the constant hopping from one
town to another. There was a stand
ing offer for his services right now,
however and he at once wired to the
booking office-and received a favor
able reply.
but he was a better stage performer,
and within, year he had recaptured
the old halo of popularity that once
had adorned his head. His was a
single act, with songs. menologue and
sleight-of-hand. and the house was
sure to ShaEe with applause every time
he appeared.
year after severing his connec-
ton with the newspaper world. Gary
came back TO the old town to be fea-
tured as the headliner at the En-
press The papers acclaimed him a
a local boy who had made good" and
the Star even went far as to
speak of him as a product of this
office" and run full page with pic
lures of him, along with photographs
of his old desk and the machine on
which he used to pound out criticisms
of other actors.
The evening subsequent to his first
appearance at the Empress he went
to the Star office to renew acquaint-
anceships. The mana ging editor
greeted him affably and an inn
promptu reception was held in the edi-
torial room.
"By the way" he remarked to the
city editor I'D like to meet your dra
matte critic. He certainly did give
me a bang-up write-up in this morn
ing's STAR and I want to thank him.
1 remember the last criticism l wrote.
1t was not so complimentary to some
members of the bill"
The city editor filled his pipe gave
out assignments to two reporters, an
swered three phone calls, borrowed
match and said:
1T happens that the he you speak
of is a girl. The funny part of it is
that she's a former actress, the same
as you're a former critic. She's not
here just now, but she'll be on hand
Soon.'
Presently the young lady arrived
and was introduced to the Empress
headliner. Gary had the shock of his
life when he saw her for she was
none other than Mildred Harrison, the
girl he had loved and had criticised
the cause of his cutting loose from
the newspaper world.
Tn glad to meet YOU" she told
him. her eyes sparkling with more
than sincerity. You know. I was
once on the stage myself. I tried to
make an actress of myself, but it was
useless, and it remained for the dra-
matte critic on this very paper in this
very town to show me the error of
my ways. I owe that critic untold
gratitude, especially since he was kind
enought to resign and leave open the
only job 1 could fill on a newspaper
My stage experience was a fizzle, but
it fitted me to be a critic of Others"
II am very glad to meet you, too"
he replied just as sincerely; so glad
that I am going to ask if I may not
see you after the show tonight My
act is near the last, and I presume
you will be attending some other per
formance. If I may call for you
there"
He did. and they made their way to
a quiet little restaurant, where they
engaged in some serious conversation
over a light lunch.
They talked in subdued tones. but
they were desperately in earnest, as
any one with half an eye~could have
seen. Let US eavesdrop just a mo-
ment. We will drop into a chair at a
nearby table just as he remarks.
isn't is strange that L should fall
in love with you the moment I saw
you on the stage. and that you
land that l." she finished. should
fall in love with your the moment I
saw you on the stage, in the same
theater a year later"
He slipped his coffee.
well, 1t simply shows that I am
prophet. Didn't I tell you a year ago
that you. would make wonderful
wife? %
Copyright, 1919. by the Mcclure News
peper. Syndicate.)