Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1919-03-21


to Reben. Women's charms and visit
illnesses made up q large part Of his
wares in trade.
"Have you had any experienced"
"None."
Studied eloeution?"
"Never. never spoke piece in
my Iife."
Good! amateur theatricals?"
Never. | never seemed to care for
them"
Better yeti What makes you think
you want to act now?"
Money. / want to earn money
get rich"
II see" said Reben, and fell into a
profound meditation, studying Daphne
searchingly.
Duane seized the opportunity to rise
and say: "Well, I'll leave you two to-
gether to talk terms. It 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. can't
tell. OF course don't know how well
, 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-you beauty !;
for you are very beautiful, Miss Kip,
very. Let me see your eyes ]"
He had a right to ask IL 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 light on
the back Of it. His left hand WAS grad
ually enveloping hers. 1t was 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 a
brave show of calm: MIR. Reben,
didn't come here to fiirt with you and
don't intend to-, I came here for a
job as an actress. If this sort Of thing
is a 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, Il
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. don't expect
1t and don't Ike It."
"A1l right, all right r Reben groWled,
pacing the floor again, but in con-
stantly receding path. He did not
speak. He felt that he had made a
fool of himself, and he was enbar-
raised.
Daphne was so frightened with her
success that she got to her feet, say
ing: 81 suppose this means that you
don't want me to work for you. It's
true, then, what they say about the
stage"
"N0nsensel OF course mott Rot 1!
never see most Of my people except
at rehearsals or performances. I've
never spoken to three-Quarters Of 'em.
If you want a job you can have 1t, 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 OPP
portunity and for the wisdom Of his
counsel.
Reben said: "The general under
study Of the Kemble company has
grown tired Of waiting for a chance
to appear in public. She's quitting me
this week for small part in road
company. You can have her place if
you want it. Do your
"You bet-er-indeed I do. How
often does an understudy play?"
"As rarely as possible"
Daphne's Joy turned to lead.
Reben added: "But we don't pay by
performances. I'll pay you twenty
five q week. You wanted money.
There's little Of it for start. Do
you want it?"
''Will it lead to anything better2"
"It might"
"Am / to understudy Miss Kemble? 2"
eyes. and all the other women
roles
"And when do you suppose I'll get a
chance to play Miss Kemble's part?
Soon?"
"Never, / hope"
"That's encouraging
"If Miss Kemble fell i'll we'd ordi-
narily refund the money, because she's
the star. But sometimes we might
have to give performance at short
notice. Chances in the other parts
might come any day."
'And you'll give me better chance
when you CAM"
Indeed / will. IF you have the gift,
the sooner find it out and the harder
I work it the more money I make.
l. r ~,