Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-06-11
CONDENSED
CLASSICS
81
PEG 'WOFFINGTON
81
BY CHARLES READE
Condensation by
Edward II. Crosby
BY CHARLES READE
Condensation by
Edward n. Crosby
AEG WOFFINGTON stood before
the mirror in her dressing room

riOuS and pleasant, if the play on her
mobile features could be taken as
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
few flirtations, but they had all
been ephemeral, as Peg Wellington
could quickly detect idle flattery 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, a country gentle
man of means and reputed a 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 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 mag
ination had painted, was more than
realized. Her beauty, her intelli-
gence, her graciousness-were over
towering and Mr.. Vane, in his embar-
rassment, could only stammer a few
commonplaces. 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 whim 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-
plSlOuS 1cCllAS WOulu IlOL ledNt DtI.
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 a friend.
VIII 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
go and open her heart with a sense
Of security, and when Vane poured
into her willing ear his avowals of IN
dying love and devotion, Pegs hun
CRY 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
Pegs affection, and when he wit
messed the triumph of one he regard
ed as rank outsider his love turned
to hate. He endeavored insidously
to poison Vanes mind with stories of
Peg Woffington's past life and on one
occasion he was nearly successful.
James Triplet, hanger-on at Covent
Garden, was recognized by Peg as one
who had befriended her in the early
days of poverty. Triplet was a play
wright and scene shifter, and to give
him assistance Peg offered him a COM
mission to paint her portrait. Pegs
visits to Triplet's studio were told by
Sir Charles to Vane as evidence of
Pegs faithlessness, but the falsity of |
the charges was soon proved and |
Vane's infatuation was stronger than
ever. Sir Charles had almost aban- |
doned hope of defeating his rival I'M
til one day, when returning to Lon |
don from the country, he gave assist |