New Britain herald., 1924-02-14
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

l and to find his way circuitously into the strange history of Colonel Randa Holes.
 His friend George Etheridge. that other gifted rake who had leaped into sudden fame year ago with his comedy, "The Comic Revenge" had been deafening his ears with praises of the beauty and talent of that wide ly admired and comparatively newly discovered actress, Sylvia Farquhar- son. At first Buckingham had scoffed at his friends enthusiasm.
 such heat of rhetoric to describe a playhouse baggage" he had yawned. For man of your parts George. I protest you're nauseatingly callow."
 You fatter me in seeking to re- prove," Etheredge laughed. '''fo be callow despite the years is to bear the mark of greatness. Whom the gods love are callow always: for whom the gods love die young, whatever be their age.'
 You aim at paradox, l suppose. God help me-"
 No paradox at all. Whom the gods love never grow old," Etheredge explained himself. "They never come to suffer as do you from iaded appetites."
 You may be right" his grace ad- mitted gloomily. Prescribe me n tonic"
 'That is what was doing: Sylvia farquharson, at the Dukes House."
 Bah, A play actress. X painted doll on wires: Twenty years ago your prescription might have served"
 You admit that you grow old. suporfuous admission! But this. let me perish. is no painted doll. This is an incarnation Of beauty and talent"
 "so I've heard of others that had neither.
 And lei me add that she is virtuous."
 Buckingham tsarcl at him. open bey" hc asked.
 The chief drug in my prascrip- tion."
 But does it exist, or is your eaL- lowncss deeper than ] thought" qnoth Buckingham.
 Come and sec" Mr. Ethcredge in- ,ited him.
 Virtue" Buckingham objected. lis not visible"
 Like beauty, 1t dwells in the be- holders eye. That's why you've never seen it, Bucks."'
 To the Dukes playhouse in Bin- coln's Inn Fields his disgruntled grace suffered himself. in the end. to be conducted. He went 10 scoff. He remained to worship. You al- ready know-ha,ing overheard thr sarrulous Mir. Pepys--how from his box, addressing his companion in par ticular and the whole house in gem eral, the ducal author loudly an- nounced that he would give his muse no rest until he should have produced a play with a part worthy Of the superb talents Of Miss Farquharson.
 His words were reported to her. They bore with them certain flat tery 10 which it was impossible that she should be impcr7ious.
 If prapercd her for the ducal visit to the green room. which followed presently. She was presented by Mir. Etheredgo with whom she was al- ready acquainted. and she stood shyly before the tall. suprcmeiy ele- gant duke, under the gaze or his bold eyes.
 In his golden periwis he looked at this date not year more than thirty. despite the hard fife he had lived rom boyhood. In shape and car- riage he vas Of an extraordinary grace that drew all eyes upon him. ct at sight instinctitciy, Miss Far quhsrson dislikcd him. Erason and ambition argued her out of that in. stinctive shrinking Here was one whose approval carried weight and would sci the seal upon her fame. on" whose good graccs could main tain her firmly on the eminrnoe to which she had so laboriously climbed.
 His grace bowed. tow. the curis of his wig swinging forward like the cars of a .trr-spani"l.
 Madam" he said. T would cou- graduate you were l not more cop- oefned 10 congratulate myself for having witnessed your performance. and sill more Lord Orrerv. your present author. Him l not only cou- graduate but cnty--a hidcous. capk- cring emotion. which shall not con. aBcr until I have written yoU A part at least as great as his Katherine. ' You smiie ."
 Tt is fct qualification a. your Erace's promise
 "I wonder now" aaid he. his eyes narrowing. his lips smiling a little. l 'I wonder is that the truth, or is i, I that you think boasted? that such an achievement is not within my compass? 1 confess frankly that until l saw you 1t vas not. But you have made if so. my dear"
 If l have done that, l shall. in. deed. have deserved well of my aydi- | ence." she answered. but lightly l laughing a little. as If 10 discount the I high-hOwn compliment.
 "As weIi. I trus;, as shall have deserved Of you" said he.
 'fThe author. must always deserve the best of his puppets
 Deserve, ale. But how rarely does ahe gsf his deserts,"
 -surtiy yosL Bucks. have Iittfe reason to complain, sibcd Etheredrt