Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-18
CHAPTER xLv1I
Before the Performance

DcJOS sO % sJO'"s~ss
LlROM the moment that she went be-
l. hind the scenes on the evening OF
the play. Carol was aware Of de.
lightful feeling Of rcsklessness. II was
as though time had stopped and she hnd
no thought Of anything that might hap.
pen beyond what the night had to un-
fold.
1t was exciting to nit down before the
mirror Of her dressing table.in make
shift dressing room and make UP. She
had been taught how TO do this the
night before, and the mysteries Of cold
cream and rouge that cams In a thick
paste, Of lighting a little spirit lamp
and melting the mascara to bead her
eye lashes, were all fascinating.
Her gowns had all been chosen from
her own stock, and the evening gown
that she was to wear In the second act
was new. She had not worn It at the
dress rehearsal, and she knew quite
well that II was the lovelisst gown she
had ever possessed.
On her dressing table was one Of the
programs.
''Driven: q play in three acts" The
words stared up at her. And beneath
them appeared the cast. She saw her
own name, and on each side Of It Tom
Seeley's and Jcrvis Britton's. In the
play tho wife was driven by a hus.
band. who gave no thought.to anything
save business, almost into the arms OF
her lover. How strange that she should
be playing the part Of tho woman In
play Of that kind
But she brushed the thought quickly
away. Tonight she would not think
unpleasant thoughts. she would take
what the gods had to give, and she
turned once more to her makeup.
Grace Marriott hurried into the room.
Everything all right, CarolT' she
asked anxiously. mot nervous, are
you?'
Carol turned a sparkling face in
Grace's direction.
"Not a bit. I have a hunch that
everything is going to 60 we'll, not
bit like last night"
''Is Nick here?"
Grace knew quite we'll that Nick
moment ago, and he had seemed wor-
ried.
NO" Carol returned coolly. She
held small hand mirror to the light
and carefully outlined her lips with
scarlet paste. "He was called out Of
town this morning."
THAT'S too bad" Grace returned
quickly. "But Tom will look out for
you."
Carol put down the mirror md turned
to Grace suddenly. ''FOr Heavens
sake. Grace, any one would think was
q child who couldn't take care Of my
self! Poor old Tom needn't worry him.
self about me. I'm all right"
"Of course, DEAR" Grace returned
sooth!ngly. "but Nick would like it if
Tom looked after you.'
Carol shrugged her shoulders. A
feeling of irritation had surged over
her at Grace's remark, but she was re.
solved not to show II.
mick would like it If Tom looked
ingly in her brain. Tom had said vir.
tually the same thing. Well, If Nick
had thought that she needed looking
after he would have stayed in town and
attended to the matter himself.
As it was. Carol reflected, Nick didn't
care much one way or another, then
why should every one be 50 anxious to
protect her for Nick's sake? 1t was
absurd.
In the mirror she met Grace's eyes
looking into hers gravely.
Carol whirled about on her chair.
whats the mater with you tonight
anyway" she challenged gayly. II tell
you the plays going to be a success"
But at that moment Grace was think.
ing Of something else besides the play.
She was wondering If she had done right
in bringing Carol and Jervis Britton
together.