The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-07-08
Art for Arts Sake
BY MARIE B. MAC DONALD
(Copyright.)

cigar, "is that it has but two paths, /;
with no breathing places where PEG
pie may stop and rest. Both are steep. /;
Up one of them people are forced to
climb painfully. 1t is slow work and i
the suffering is great. The other path
tends downward. Fhe descent is swift. /;
People put their feet on it
swis-s-sh-"
He made a dramatic gesture indi-
eating crashing fall, and then added
"They then come to this"
"This" was the "Wild Stag Impe-
rial Concert Hall and Ladies' and
Gents Dining Room"
Herr Won Drueben had recently been
imported as manager for dramatic
organization, and as there were grave
doubts about his continuance in his
present position he looked upon the
artistic condition of this country as
hopeless.
He naturally felt supreme con-
tempt for tile Wild Stag.
The manager of the Wild Stag re-
scented the slight his companions
words implied, and his carefully
trimmed beard seemed to stand out in
aggressive denial as he leaned across
the table and said impressively
"This? Come to this? What then?
Is not this something? Our people are
good. To illustrate: look at the wom-
an who is on now"
'That woman was once the best
emotional with the City theater. She
was for five years in leads with the
very company you direct. That is
Kaethe Hide"
"Kaethe Hilde!" echoed the other.
"She had all Europe at her feet. And
Kaethe Hide has come to this !"
On the stage a worn woman was
smiling bravely through her lavish
makeup, singing love ballad.
Out of the glare of the footlights,
Kaethe gained in appearance. As
the two managers watched her, a man
entered the place and took a seat at
side table. His glance rested on
Kaethe, and he half rose hesitated,
and then sat down. But his hesita-
ton was only momentary He paid
the waiter hurriedly and went over to
her.
"Kaethe-"
IT saw you when you came in" she
said without looking up.
1t was the first time he, Paul Hau-
dermann. her husband had seen her
since their child was born over three
years before.
| He. too. had won fame as an actor.
Increasing years had brought to him
an increasing tendency to quarrel, and
finally he had broken down and was
forced to accept such work as came
| to him.
! He had been enormously proud of
his WIFE at first, and then insanely
/ Jealous of the fame that came to her.
First he worried her, and then he in
volved her in quarrels. When she
could no longer contribute to his sup
port, and there was little likelihood
that she would recover her place
again, he deserted her. He felt that
he generously forgave her for some
enormity.
"What are you doing now?' she
asked sharply.
SWELL" he answered reluctantly, II
have a few pupils, and l reciee at
clubs. Then I shall have a benefit if
can get hall free"
"Still getting up benefits for your
self-at the earnest solicitation of your
many influential friends"
She laughed mirthlessly as she
quoted from the notices she knew he
would send out
docs anyone attend them now?"
"Not many" he answered gloomly.
"Kaethe Hide" he began in low,
menacing tone that caught and held
the startled attention of all in the
room, and caused even the orchestra to
stop rasping.
"Kaethe Hide, now is the time to
speak. You are my wife! Before all
the world you are my wife, and before
all the world I would and will rescue
and protect you. I find you here-play-
ing in cheap music hall-you, who
once swayed thousands! Now. I, your
husband. speak nay, command Come
with mel"
Capital, capital! Well acted!
Bravo" she cried, adding in a lower
voice that he alone could catch "Now
sit down."
Kaethe saved the situation by turn
ing to the gaping crowd and saying:
ut is all right. 1t is just little re-
hearsal. am glad you appreciate it,"
'Kaethe," he said, poor Kaethe!
l must take you from here"
She shook her head. at is all work
and no glory" she said sadly, "but it
means bread for myself and my boy"
"But your artistic sense?" he per-
sisted.
Dead and gone" she answered
briefly. "a living is all that l can
hope for and it is all want"
"kaethe," he whispered, "could Won