The Arvada enterprise., 1924-01-31
BY Katharine Newlin Burt
ght By Katharine N. Burt
CHAPTER v 4
-f7-
Joan and Prosper.

second act with 4 sufiiclency Of out
ward calm.
This part was the most severe test
Of his composure. for he had fash
ioned II almost In detail upon that
idyll In q canyon. There were even
speeches Of Jonn's that he had used
To sit here and watch Joan herself
go through II. while he looked on.
was nm exciting form Of torment. The
setting was different. tropical instead
OF Northern and the hnlf-native hero
Inc was more passionate. more emo
tional. more animal than Joan. Never
theless. the drama was repetition.
As Prosper had laid his trap for Jonn.
silently. subtly undermining her whole
mental structure. using her loneliness.
playing upon the artist soul Of her.
so did this Englishman lay his trap
for Zona. lie was more cruel than
Prosper, rougher. necessarily more
dramatic. hut there was all the es-
sence Of the original drama. the en-
snarement OF simple, direct mind
| by complex and skillful one. Jonn's
surrender, Prosper's victory. were
| there. lie wondered how Joan could
act It. play the part In cold blood.
Now he was condemned to live In his
own Imagination through Joans trag-
edy There was that first ptifulness
OF n tanned and broken spirit: then
later. in London the agony Of ioneli.
ness. OF separation. Of gradual awak-
ening to the change in her masters
heart. Prosper had written the words,
but II was Joan who. with her voice,
the music OF memory-shaken heart
strings. made the words alive and
meaningfu Others In the audience
might wonder over the girls ability
to interpret this unusual experience.
to make It natural. human. Inevitable.
But Prosper did not wonder. He knew
that simply she forced herself to re-
live this most painful part OF her own
life and to reive II articulately. What,
In Gods name. had induced her to do
IT. Necessity? Poverty? Morena?
Al! at once he remembered Betty's
belief. that Joan was the managers
mistress-hls wild, beautiful Joan,
Jonn. the creation OF his own wiz
ardry. This thought gave him such
pain that he whitened.
"Prosper." murmured Betty. "you
must tell me what Is wrong. Evident
~ your nerves are in bad shape. Is
the excitement too much for you?"
II believe 1t Is" he said, avoiding
her eyes and moving stiff. white lips
"rve never seen such acting. IL
Morena says he'll let me see her In
her hress!ng-room afterward. You see,
Betty. I'm badly shaken up"
"Ye-es." drawled Betty. and looked
at him through narrowed lids. and
she sat with this look on her face
and with her fingers locked. when
Prosper. not giving her further notice,
followed Morcna out.
"Jasper"-Prosper held his friend
back In the middle Of Il passage that
led TO the dressing. .rooms-"I want
very particularly to see Miss West
alone. nn very much moved by
her performance and ! want to tell
her so. Also. want her to express
herself naturally with no idea OF nv
being the author of the play and with.
ont the presence OF her manager. WI,
YOU Just ask II she will see u friend
Of yours-nloneI'
JASPER smiled his subtle smile. "Of
course, Prosper. It's all as clear as
daylight"
Prosper did not notice the Jews in.
telligent expression. He was too much
absorbed In his own excitement, In n
momcN he would he with Joan-Joan.
his love ~ winter nights
Morenn tapped upon door. A
maid hnlf-orened 1t.
ASK Miss West. please, II she will
see friend Of MIR Morcna's. Tell
her | particularly wish her to give
him n prlvats Interview" lie scrib.
bicd n line on n card nnd the maid
took II In.
In five minutes, during which the
two men waited silently. she came
back.
Miss West viii see your friend.
slr.~
An Then III take myself OF.
Prosper, Will you Join Betty and me
~ SUPPER
"Nn. thanks. ri have my brief In.
'"rricw with Miss West and then go
home II you'll forgive me. I'm about
NIL In. New Works too much for u
man Just home from the front"
Jarpcr laid his hand for II moment
on rrosprr's shoulder. smiled,
shrugged and turned AWAY. Prosper
waited III his friend wns ont OF sight
and hearing, then knocked and was nd.
mi'tcd to the dressing room OF Mi.s
Jane West
She had not changed from the ev,.
ming dress she had worn In IN. Inst
scene nor hnd She yet got rid OF her
makeup. She was sitting In n narrow.
backed chair that had been turned
nwny froms the drcssng.tahic. Tn.
| maid was putting AWAY snrn, eos.