Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-09-11

ever think she could do Il? / didn't
Why, here's Mr.. lizard quite beside
| himself"
"And he'll be beside Eta Just now
wanting her to sign three years en-.
gagement as principal Now, you
take my advice and don't you do 1t,
dear-not unless he'll pay you hun
dred a week. That's where girls ruin
their prospects, taking on things just
when they're excited. II 1t we're me-
wouldn't I ask him something! Per
haps he'll play hot and cold-they
sometimes do; but your fortunes
made, Eta, and can't think why you
take II 30 quietly. How should
dance and sing II were you"
Eta had begun to gather up the
heavy tresses of her long black hair
by this time; but she did so slowly
and deliberately as one whom success
had neither surprised nor agitated
Could the two young girls about her
have read her thoughts they would
have been astonished indeed. Not
idly had she asked Dulcie Holmes what
people would say If she gave up the
theatre entirely. For give it up she
J must. In one short month her father
would return from the Continent. She
| must be at home by that time, and
none must ever know that she had
left her home.
We'll talk 1t all over in the morn
ing" she said, still smiling-I want
both of you to come and see me to-
morrow. We shall have read the pa
pers by that time. Whatever will they
say about me?"
at doesn't matter what they say.
Everyone in London will be talking
about you before the weeks out. All
the same, the papers are going to be
nice. Lucy's cousin was in the vesti-
bule between the acts and he heard
the critics talking. They called you
immense dear. That means bad
luck for the play, but everything for
you. You Just wait until the morning
comes"
81 fear I'll have to-" said Eta, with
a sly look toward them; but just then
there came tap on the door and who
should 1t be but a messenger with the
intimation that Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
lizard expected Miss Eta Romney to
supper at the Carlton Hotel as soon
as she could conveniently join their
party. To the extreme astonishment
both of Dulcie Holmes and Lucy Grey
Eta appeared to be distressed be
yond words by this customary invita-
ton.
mot CO." cried Dulcie, almost toe
amazed to speak; why, OF course you
must go. Charles would send soldiers
to fetch you If you refused. The star
never heard of such thing. She
talks of not going, Lucy!"
That's the excitement" said Lucy
wisely. II should be just the same
in her place. She wants a glass Of
wine. She'll break out crying just
now if she doesn't get one."
Their solicitude for Eta was very
pretty and really honest. They were
too ford of her to be Jealous. Won
friends successes; men rarely do. Dull
Gle and Lucy might say, what lucky
girl she Isl" but they would not have
wished her to be less SO.
AS for Eta herself. the invitation
perplexed her to distraction. How II
, she met some one who knew her al
the Carlton. 1t was very unlikely she
thought Fifteen years passed in 6
French convent with few English
pupils do not admit of many embar
RAISING acquaintances. The subse
quent years, lived chiefly in the parl
Of medieval country house rarely
open to strangers, we're not likely tt
be more dangerous. Eta knew thai
, discovery might be disastrous to hel
beyond the ordinary meaning of the
r term; but her cleverness told her tha'
the risk of it was very small. 1t wal
} then after eleven o'clock. She re
> membered that they turned the people
? out of the Carlton Hotel at half-pas
! twelve.
$ Tell Mr.. lizard that will come,
she said to the messenger, and theI
to the girls, You won't forget to
, morrow. Run round early and wei
l
dear girls, We'll spend Sunday at Hen
g ley, as ! promised YOU"
They kissed her affectionately
i. promising not to forget. There wal
not so much pleasure in their live
y that they should pass 1t by when 1
a good fairy approached them. Sharing
q rooms together, they had as yet dis
y covered upon some fifty-odd shilling
l week little Of the glamour and non,
+ If the rewards of theatrical life. Fo
D hem the theatre was the house O
i 1arkening hope, wherein success
L passed by them every hour crying
o Look at mellow beautiful l am
) but not for you" They had believes
hat the pilgrims way would b
Q strewn with gold-they discovered
} 10 be paved with promises.
s "Of course, we shall come" sal
Lucy in her matter OF fact way
& whatever should we be thinking Q