The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-07-02
CONDENSED
CLASSICS
PEG 'WOFFINCTON
~
By CHARLES READE
By CHARLES READE
Condensation by
Edward n. Crosby
\ EG WOFFINGTON stood before
the mirror in her dressing room

Ell WOfFlNGlON StOOQ DeIOrc
the mirror in her dressing room
at the Theater Royal, Covent
Garden, London. She was alone with
+ her thoughts, and they were both Sc
rious and pleasant, if the play on her
mobile features could be taken as q
criterion. She was summing up her
eventful career from the time when
but child Of eight, cold, ragged and
hungry, she had been found on the
Desmond quay in Dublin by an actress
who undertook her professional edu-
cation, to the present moment, when,
as the reigning actress Of the British
capital, she had the world at her feet.
She had many admirers and quite
a few flirtations, but they had all
been ephemeral, as Peg Wellington
could quickly detect idle f1attery and
the sycophancies Of the jeunesse
doree which hung about her shrine.
She was woman Of the world, keen,
suspicious and cynical, and while she
toyed with her gallants, her heart and
soul were in her work. But one eve
ming she noticed in box, face new
to the theater. He was a man evil
IDENTIFY from the provinces, but he
gazed at her withsundisguised admira-
ton. Night after night he was at his
post, listening intently to every word
she spoke and with an unmistakable
air of respect
She waited, thinking like all the
others, he would seek an interview.
but as time went on and he made no
attempt to bring about an acquaint-
ance, Pegs curiosity was piqued and
by guarded inquiries she learned that
he was Ernest Vane, country gentle
man of means and reputed bachelor.
One night, however, Mr.. Vane was
brought to the green room by Sir
Charles Pomander, man about town
who had long but unsuccessfully
sought to win Pegs favor. Miss Wolf
ington was not in the room when Mr..
vane first arrived. He quickly adapt
ed himself to the novel surroundings
and launched into a eulogy of Pegs
personal charms and histrionic ability.
During Mr.. Vane's remarks Peg had
entered the room and overheard her
praises so eloquently sung and, know
ing that Mr. Vane was unaware Of her
presence, she was impressed with his
sincerity. Then they were introduced
and Mr.. Vane was almost speeches.
with admiration. All that his imag-
nation had painted, was more than
- hnR infoIlf.
gence, her graciousness-were over.
towering and Mr.. Vane, in his embar-
rassment, could only stammer few
commonplace. Here indeed was a
novelty, and her curiosity turned to
interest.
She was still cautious and would
treat her new-found friend with vary
ing moods.
AS she stood before her mirror, she
was awaiting the arrival of Mr.. Vane.
They had become warm friends, much
more, on the part Of Mr.. Vane, who
had openly declared his love and had
sent her many tokens of his affection,
which Peg had accepted, but with her
peculiar within she had declined any,
thing save some inexpensive gift, tell
ing her lover that it was the senti-
ment which she desired, not the In
trinsic value Of the present. She had
decided to reveal to Mr.. Vane that she,
in turn, loved him, but the old, sus-
picious feeling would not leave her.
When they were alone together Peg
placed her hands on vane's shoulders
and gazing fixedly into his eyes said
"Ernest. we actresses make good
the old proverb, many lovers, few
friends but no one outside our circle
knows how much we need friend.
Will you be one to me?'
And Ernest promised faithfully.
Then she gave herself up to the In
toxication of the moment. With all
her adulation Peg was lonely. There
had been no one to whom she could
90 and open her heart with a sense
of security, and when Vane poured
into her willing ear his avowals Of un-
diving love and devotion. Pegs hun
gry soul drank in his words as the
thirsty earth absorbs refreshing show
ers. She was supremely happy.
Sir Charles Pomander did not at all
relish the turn affairs had taken. He
had planned many schemes to win
Reg's affection and when he wit
messed the triumph Of one he regard
al as a rank outsider his love turned
- hate. He endeavored insidiously
to poison vane's mind with stories OF
Peg Wofington's past life and on one
occasion he was nearly successful
James Triplet, a hanger-on at Covent
Garden. was recognized BY Peg as one
who had befriended her In the early
days Of poverty. Triplet was play
wright and scene shifter, and to give
him assistance Peg offered him com
mission to paint her portrait. Pegs
visits to Triplet's studio were told Dy
Sir Charles to vane as evidence OF
Pegs faithlessness, but the faisity OF
the charges was soon proved and
vane's infatuation was stronger tnan
ever. Sir Charles had almost ADAM
donod hone Of defeating his rival un-