The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-05-14

performance. BESIDES 1T is necessary
for corn and grain and all sorts of
uninteresting things.
But when you have only one pair OF
shiny shoes, when you've been going
without lunches for days in order to
buy certain fluffy hat, and then,
after months of waiting, you are to
con the fluffy hat to see the biggest
theatrical manager in New York,
when all this happens and it rains
you'll admit it's rather serious.
A taxi was as far from Elaine
HOLSTERS thoughts as trip to Eu-
rope would have been. So it was with
a serious look in her big, brown eyes
that she watched the downpour
ooh, I'll manage somehow, l sup
pose" she said, and turned to the con
temptation of the small room she
shared with Betty Buddell. "If only
the maline on that hat hat doesn't
slump before get to the theatre"
cts the limit, that's what it is to.
day of all days when it means so
much" and the small roommate
scowled anxiously.
Elaine threw herself on the tumbled
he'd. She was lovely picture, lovely
with youth, and grace and red-gold
hair, but the look in her great brown
aveS was On troubled
For life to her did not meant teas
ard alteration and petting and all
that. ought to go with youth and red
gold hair 1t meant privation and
0isappointments and struggle to
exist. For she was little, unknown
actress from the West. And today
was to be her day of days. She was
tc see the great Robertson, himself.
the greatest manager in the country.
We'll, rain won't hurt the coat,
anyway" went on Betty. "And it
1rakes you look like a million dollars
Will you surely be back with it by
four?" she added 81 hate to bother
you" dearie, but I've got to have it by
then. My dancing appointment is for
four, and if I'm late-good night"
ooh, I'll know the worst long before
that, Pm to see Mr.. Robertson at two,
you know"
Elaine got up and began brushing Il
fur coat, carefully hung from the gas
jet. do you suppose we'll ever own
two fur coats between us and be able
TO go out at the same timer" she
asked.
Never, old DEAR" promptly ans
Wered the small roommate, proceeding
to darn an exceedingly thin silk stock
ing. BE thankful to have half a
coat
Eyes, we were wise to invest in
this when we had the money" Elaine
was loosening the thick waves of her
hair until it fitted demurely under the
new hat.
Il can't even buy a pair of rubbers
new" she added. Then she threw
back her head and laughed-a won
derful, tinkly, silvery laugh, with a
hint of tears not very far away.
SIS it as bad as that?" Betty
asked anxiously.
GAS bad as that" answered Elaine.
Then she walked quickly to the
x1-ipdn1tr opd ero1ad ont or +I,a orivir, n
rain. Down in the street below, a
limousine was gliding quietly along.
. Elaine wondered vaguely if it held a
girl with redgold hair, a girl who
didn't have to worry or pinch or work.
a girl who had father and a brother
to adore her, a girl who could be just
a-girl.
Elaine turned her back to the rain
and the limousine.
"Oh, hope l haven't been a fool,
she burst out, trying to get in New
York production. Do you know what
it's cost me? Four long months of
horrible, nerve-racking waiting and
all my savings from three long years
OF stock. And all I've got to show for
it is this one chance today to see
Robertson
Betty put a warm arm around the
quivering girl. Well did she under
stand, with the deep understanding
that comes from knowledge. Like all
the generous children of the stage
she was quick to share either tears
or laughter.
IF any one deserves some luck"
she whispered, tits you, after the
way you've supported your mothe9'
and shaved in stock all these years.
And you're such a wonder! Why,
Elaine, you can act all around some
of these Broadway actresses. If you'd
only get one chance to act before
Robertson"
Eyes, just one chance!" Elaine's
voice was tense.
Now, don't get all worked up was
Betty's practical advice. Here,
powder your nose, while l hold the
family coat
do l really look all right?" asked
Elaine fearfully "You know the part
is a rich society girl. It's the third
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