Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-08
The
LOVE STORY
of a
MOVIE STAR
CHAPTER XVI

Tn THE course of an hour, my mes
scngcr returned. Kitty had scrawled,
"Snre, I WILL" on the back of my
envelope. Happy as a child, ran out
to n neighboring dclicatessen shop and
laid in an extravagant amount of sup
plies. All the indigestible things that
| dearly loved went to make up that
lunch. I had looked In that same win
dow with longing eyes oil winter, but
lad resolutely resisted temptation. But
il / died for it, intended that this
should be a real feast.
I had decided. you see, to have lunch
in my room. AS I was leaving three
days before my week was up, and had
paid, MS usual, In advance, my land
lady thawed sufficiently to lend me
table and some Clipped dishes. I
wanted Kitty all to myself. We would
have oceans of things to say, and I
suspected that we would both indulge in
good cry. Certainly I didn't, intend
to cry in public-off the stage.
Kitty came even before I expected
her, bearing all sorts of good wishes
from the members of the company, all
of whom were coed enough to regret
my departure. At the risk of seeming
catty, will say that / knew that
some of the good wishes for my sue
cess in other fields were not alto
gethcr disconnected with the fact that
of late had been steadily growing more
and more popular with the audiences
of the Henry Irving!
l found to my astonishment that an
exaggerated account of my scene with
Beaver Face was common property. For
this l had to thank my friend the call :
boy. He unblushingly confessed that he
had been listening outside the Office.
But, being as imaginative as he was
INSCRIPTIONS. he had cmbelished his
account by telling that 1 had actually
fired my pistol at the manager, and
went the length OF offering to show the
hole my bullet had made in the wall
| could only assure Kitty that II there
were any such hole there, the call-bo;y
had made it after my departure. AL
the same, begged her not to contradic,
the story, although it reflected sadly or
my aim
OF course, we both broke down ant
cried before lunch was half over. Kitty
declared that without me life in th'
company would be perfectly unbcarable
With no one else had she ever been 81
pally. She was most cheering in regart
to my future. OF course, ! would ge
good engagement in no time, witt
my talent and my appearance. But sh
discouraged my plan to carry my notice
TO n manager, on the ground that Nov
York managers, like all other Ney
Workers.. were the most provincial peo
pie in the world, and cared nothing 70
any opinion that came from outside
But in spite of her rosy prophecies
she did q perfectly characteristic thin
before leaving, insisting on my acceptin
the loan of twenty dollar blll unit
Il "signed." How like her that was
OF course, refused. Knowing he
salary as we'll as she knew mine,
could only wonder how she had eve
managed to save twenty dollars. Fo
Kitty was never able to save anything
loving largely to her generous heart.
verify believe that everybody in I'll
Company, men and women alike, Ia
borrowed money from her from tlmc |
time. And ] had suspicion that
large part of her money never cam
back. After she had gone, felt I'M
utterably dreary. ! had the feeling tina
| would never again, no matter no,
fortunate ! might be in placing myself
find a woman friend so true, hearted
so unselfsh, so big-thats the wore
And, indeed, ] never nave!
A few hours later, l shook the du'
of the little town from my ltet iolcre'
Acting on Kitty's advice, i had packe
in a large suitcase my two prettie'
gowns in which intended TO bewltc
fhe managers. Ny trunk containing IN
theatrical wardrobe and all the thint
that 7 would not Immediately requir'
left behind me with the understandir
that | would send for 1t later:
1t was many long day before sa
It again
Wishing to avoid the expense OF
hotel even for a night, checked n
suitcase at the ferry station OF, T
New York side and started to look f
lodgings. had never spent mig
in the city in my life: But If | hi
gained nothing else in my months O.
perience. | had at least acquired sor
self. confidence. Certainly ] would me
with nothing worse than Beaver Fac
Kitty, whose knowledge OF the 'b
town" was little greater than my ow
had advised West Twenty third sire
as good place to look for accomm
dations. She had known several a
trcsscs who had found cheap rooI
there. in which they were permitted
do light housekeeping. SO to We
Twenty third street bent my steps.
As rode across town ON the ca