Evening star., 1922-06-25

had known that his task would put
a heavy strain upon him, but 1t wasn't
until he had seen Violet and Hartney
together that he realized the fult ex-
tent Of 1t. He himself had been an
actor. and yet these romantic situa-
tions were far too real to him. and
his duty was to increase the reality.
He was tempted to stalk into the
producers office and resign. Yet he
had always said that Violet. with the
proper direction. would be a star, and
now, as her director, he could help
her toward the triumph. Determin-
edly he put himself and his own re-
actions out Of the problem. He tried
to think of Hartney as nothing more
than a flesh and blood puppet. His
| whole consciousness was concentrated
on Violet's success.
1t was a staggering blow to hm,
! then. when he perceived that unless
something happened to transform her
she was certain to be colorless in the
part. Her performance was uneven
mechanical. There was no light land
shade In 1t, and, to cap the climax
she showed to the worst advantage
In the best scenes.
violet" he demanded. what's the
matter? What's holding you back
now?"
She shook her head.
Il don't know"
rs it playing opposite Hartney"
IT never even think about him"
rs it my fault?"
"Oh. no."
"Well. what on earth t, then:
She smiled feebly.
Wasn't that what you and Hart.
ney had a fight about once?"
mo! Hartney was talking about
forgetting yourself. I'm talking
about remembering yourself and call.
ing up the right emotions at the righ'
time. You've got tho emotions
haven't your
She drew a long breath.
II don't know"
You did have-dve years ago"
Even If I did. they seem to bs
gone now. don't theyT
LIE read a double meaning into the
question and took few second,
to compose himself. Presently HI
went on in slightly lower key:
Gone SO far that you can't ever
play your biggest scene-a scene tina
would make any actress reputation
overnight. A girl in love. ideal
izing the man she's in love with, making
a demigod OF him-and all at once thu
whole thing breaks and she's in
suited, broken-hearted, hysterical
disillusioned, furious"
II just don't feel it," she said. ".
know I'm no good. l don
, know why
He moistened his lips.
The devil of 1t is that I've got ;
responsibility to the man who's pay
ing me-"
He heard the quick intake Of he
breath.
. "You-you think they-they ough
to let me go and find somebody else?'
II don't want to tumble your dream
around your ears like that" he sait
huskily. I'm going to see that yol
go on for one appearance. I can
promise you more"
And he walked swiftly away from
her at the very moment when he
spirit was coming back to her eyes.
HIS employer said to him:
"How's the little Dunn girl coming
along? hear she amt up to the ad.
vertising."
She'll do" said Kennard. Shell
do as far as the tryout, anyway"
The company went down to Atlantic
City for the tryout. They were t.
, open on Wednesda night, and OF
Tuesday they had the dress rehearsal
In the wings Hartney took Ken
, dard by the arm.
We'll, my boy. I offered you tn
benefit of lifelong experience. an
you didn't choose to take it-but thi
is going to be a sad performance to
I morrow night Sad's the word. Tn
little girls miscast."
She'll rise to tho occasion" sal
Kennard.
Rise? You'd have to blow her Vi
with dynamite
4 "Thanks-very much" said Ken
e nard icily.
8 He moved away and went out to 81
q in front and watch the rehearsal
: When it was over he was still think
ing of what Hartney had said.
: He knew, with positive knowledge
that Violet had 1t in her to be mag
- nificent He. was fiogging his brai
to imagine what could have dried u
her ability and what would revive il
And presently he came to a dea
standstill drew a deep breath, hunte
up Violet, and spoke to her in a
IL undertone.
n .'stay in your room until I come,
he said.
e when he knocked on the door h
h w had made sure that the rest o
d the company had left the theater. H
went in, closed the door behind hir
and stood gazing at Violet, who sa
listIessly before the mirror.
violet" he said, look at me-"
She obeyed tardily, but when sh
saw his expression she started.
i His voice had a razor edge to 1t.
. You used to say you were in Low
with me-once-didn't your
The color surged up in her cheek.
"well?"
"It didn't take you long to get owe
. it, did it?'
Her eyes wavered.
How do you know 1t dfdn't?'
n How can I help knowing? ! love
J., you. 1 loved you until I found ou
t you weren't worth 1t. I didn't for
/ get. 1 thought at least you had care
z for me once, and that was something
. .lTove-emotfont Bah" She had risel