Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-01
The
LOVE STORY
of a
MOVIE STAR
CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER Nj
THIS was by no means all owed 10
L Kitty before the eventful night ar
rived. Up to the very moment when
with q sinking heart l went on for our
turn, It was she who kept me from
giving I'D in despair. She stuck firmly to
her original instructions; was not to
worry, to leave everything to her, ana
just 60 on and smile.
My first public appearance. accord
ingly, took place the following MONDAY
night and there was over an hout W
wait for that omnous ntcrmlssloh; Il;
Kitty tried to keep me cheered up, anu
in the ballet costume, with straps over
her sloping shoulders, she looked 80
| adorable that | had to forget now ana
| then. But when glanced in the mir
| ror and saw myself, with all my heavy
hair hidden under slouch hat and my
| legs in large trousers and my hands IN
my jacket pockets, panic would seZe
| me again l wanted to run mile !;
run like mad and never stop.
The moments dragged, Between acts
| girls came tearing into the room and IN
| 4 brilliant buzz disrobed and redressed.
! Then they were gone again. Time
| hung upon us. Finally, the far echoes
| of applause, the hum of voices in the
hall, and props, the man Of all work.
knocking at, the door.
Ready" he called.
So much hung upon this trial.
IF l don't succeed, l told my
self, Roland will never have anything
more to do with me !"
Months Of saving, months Of dream :
ing were now TO be put to the test.
And here l was, unable to drag my
feet along. The song was forgotten.
My mind was blank,
| felt myself moving in dream. The
last boundaries of safety were left. and
there we were in the center of the stage
before the curtain, in the binding blui
of the footlights.
A voice rose between my lips. Was
it mine? l tilted my. cane; my legs
swayed | caught Kitty's laughing eyes
and her sweet smile and suddenl!
wagged my head jauntily and grinne'
at her. We had come to the end of tn
first stanza. To my amazement,
whirlwind of applause arose out of tn
blaCkness and rushed over us, with
humping of feet and whistling from
the gallery.
What did it mean? Suddenly,
found myself. All my old towerin
courage came back to me. looked ou
boldly. ! turned and seized Kitty an
kissed her. She made believe that sh
was angry with me and turned away
i wheeled her round and whispered I
her and cajoled her. Then we burs
out laughing and embraced and bega
e to dance and sing the remaining stanza
e The house went wild. 1t was unbe
lievabe. And /? | was like ifs
hnf hOJ itSf tb
point of dying, and now was flung bac
!, into the water again A born actress
When it was over and we had bee
recalled half dozen times, ! turne
I tO 60 off finally, as the lights wer
h yuCnChed, and there in the wings ] sa'
e Beaver Face, eying me with that love
r sick look
u ] went home to my little room. Th
= building had been an apartment hous'
:. but the apartments were divided int
u separate rooms. Mine was a little on
u on the inst floor, with window lOokin
3 into the hack yards.
All that night my mind went over an
over again the scene of the evening.
hardly slept. In the morning l wrot
Roland Welles the news.
n May 10.
ture. But then my love was like dee
. uudcrcurrenL flowing through the day
u sweetening and saddening my life.
" Roland had replied to my letter. +
J. congratulated me. He said he had G,
i pGcted it Of me. Beaver Face, himsel
: had sent hin. the news. He added:
must see you as soon as you have time.
III He signed himself: Your true frien,
as Roland Welles.'
70 A great joy suffused me. felt trans
RS figured and cnnobled. | kissed his nam
I'd I murmurGd devoutly: MY true frent
40 My true friend
He wanted to see me, so | went
D. him. | chose a morning when / WI
to not needed at rehearsal. tried to loo
to my best and freshest when ! took tn
m long trip to his studio. II was bll
ok and blowing day Of autumn. shining al
Q lusty. felt very happy.
es When | entered, the telephone 81
recognized me.
en- Mr.. Welles?" she said.
ed ! nodded. laughing softly, .
a. "Oh, guess" she said lazily, 'yt
q can go right In. He's on the foosx