Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-13

blazing, she went. Behind the
blaze smoldered fear and hurt
~ Some of them turned, those
so-called denizens Of the street
OF many signs, staring after her
Others shrugged past, Indifferent to
another's pain or pleasure.
In 1908, which starts this page ir
the thumb-marked volume of Broad
way, two signs that pass unnoticed
today stamped Edna Ridgeway as be
ing an actress. She rouged her lips
and her skirt was shockingly short
when other women had to make ar
effort to display their ankles.
Small, swift, Virile, with her hat
pulled over hair that was short when
the only shingle known on Broadway
had to do with roofing, and Of a nat
ural red when that hue was less fash
ionable than today, there seemed
about her a studied childishness. Not
the abbreviated skirt, nor yet the
green velveteen Jacket that showed
broad white collar and cuffs, nor again
the loose tie knotted under her chin
But rather the fact that this youth
full style OF dress emphasized face
not SO young.
She might have been judged some
what over 20--from the casual view.
point. On closer inspection, one saw
that there had been traced by the
pencil of Time those little standings
under the eyes and about the mouth
which transform features into char.
acters. But Edna Ridgeway had called
herself % years old so long that ii
had become a conviction.
She whisked into a side street and
entered hotel.
Mr.. Ridgeway and your brother are
upstairs" the clerk told her, when
she asked for the key.
Her frown cut deeper.
when did they arrive?"
About half an hour ago."
She made no attempt to conjure
away the frown or conquer her fury.
The man who opened the door of their
two-room suite felt both.
"Well, honey" He stopped to kiss
her. I've got surprise for you"
"Yes-so the clerk Informed me. -
Edna spoke in pert dashes. what
made you bring Jimsy home at this
season."
Ssh" He glanced apprehensively in
the direction of the living room. "One
of the boys had a fever that look ed
ugly, so l thought I'd get him away
from school till they find out what S
wrong"
A handsome boy. IL. or Whereabouts,
looked up as they entered the living
room.
"Lo, mummy He came toward
her with strange, MISUNDERSTANDING
shyness, as If uncertain whether she
wanted to be kissed. Glad to see me?"
''Of course, darling"
Dad said you wouldn't mind.
Christmas'll be here soon and I'd be
home for the holidays, anyway"
She WINGED a bit. In the child
words was an unmistakable note of
apology.
well, don't act as if your own
mother didn't want you" Her voice
held nervous pitch. "Only ] hate to
have my boy in a beastly, cramped
hotel any more than have to-" She
ran her fingers through his thick hair
Now run along downstairs, while
have a cot put up in this room, or
We'll have to put you on bench in
Bryant Park tonight. And don't hold
any conversation with the clerk and
bellboys." she called after him. PLAY
in the writing ROOM"
X y
WHEN the door had closed, she
~ tugged off her hat. Fatigue.
petulance, something of despair-all
were in the action.
"Well, what do you think Cleeburg
wanted me for?" She dropped into a
Morris chair, leaning her head against
the reclining back, her lids closing.
Wasn't it the lead?" The mans
eyes told that the query was merely
perfunctory--they had read the an
swer in the corridor.
Him. She tried to laugh. "Madge
Chatham has that. We corral our
heroines from the chorus these days.
No, my dear, he does me the honor to
offer me the second part Salves 1t
by saying the lead isn't good enough"
did he give you the play to read?"
Offered it--but 1 said, No, thank
you? Does he--or any other manager
or do YOU" her eyes famed into his,
'1magine that I'm going to support a
chit of a girl?"
snow. Ted, dear" The pet name
was like a caress, but he did not APP
proach her. How do you know that
part isn't as important as hers!
Cleeburg's an artistic wouldn't risk
q failure by miscasting. He knows
what he's doing
"Oh, does he? ] suppose, then, al
Tn At for is seconds, like an old shoe
] suppose you'll agree with him that