The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-06-21

r. WAS born beloved Ills mother
called him David. He grew up TALL
broad. deep-chested "a fine figure Of
~ man. As baby and as boy
the eyes Of his mother followed him
ardent adorns. mother eyes. which said: i
have gotten a man from the Lord. L. he is
beautiful"
As child he was initiative. Narcissus-ike.
he stood before the understanding gestures.
striking poses. gazing in rapt fascination at his
reflected image. As a lad. he memorized
Shakespeare and in solitude enacted the lines of
Hamlet and Orlando. Later. at college. he was
organizer Of dramatic club and casted himself.
as lead. in heroic roles. He had football shout
ders but he draped them in Mark Antony's
toga.
He was black-haired. black-browed. ruddy-
checked. Everywhere he went the eyes Of women
followed him. But he turned from Them One
day. he said: Mother. I'm going on the stage
The adoring eyes Of his mother lifted to his. All
right. my son. she said and she went with him
to Europe where he studied.
When he was twenty-one he secured his FIRST
professional part. It was a. juvenile lead in
crook play. destined to tour the provinces.
HAS he lalcnt3" asked the manager. and the
casting director shifted his cigar and said: HE
doesn't need talent. He has looks. The kind
Of looks that will bring out the women in droves.
They came in droves-the women. They
sent him flowers. They wrote him notes. After
matinees. they hung around the stage doors. wait
ing for him. When he appeared big.
tall. physically dominant. always meticulously
sroomed the women would nudge each
other and whisper: There he is! Isn't he big?
Isn't he beautifully" And after he had gone.
they would return to their husbands and sweet
hearts. disconnected. FESTIVE. troubled.
Always he brought this vague disquietude to
women His beauty hurt them. His manner
soothed them. 1t was urbane. svelte. Aawless-
a manner Of practical charm-of elegance alto
gether continental. He could be so attentive at
teas and 80 forsetful after them.
CT SHALL never marry" he said to his
mother one day. They had just returned
from a visit to his married brother. John"
he added with quick oblique look into nearby
mirror. looks 50 old"
His mother smiled.
"A married man has many responsibilities.
she answered.
David nodded.
In his twenty-fourth year. he was on tour
heading his own company. His picture was often
in small town papers. He had thrill Of ex-
quisite happiness when. in Detroit. they put his
name over the theatre in electrics. so success
full. so younsl" woman said to him. He smiled
down indulsently as one does at children. He
had early adopted an amused-a paternal atti-
tude towards women
He was born to money. He had attained a
certain success. He was twenty-six when the
FIRST shadow fell across his sunlit path. He
thought at first It must be the light. He peered
closer into the mirror. No. it wasn't the light!
There shining out against the satin sheen Of his
coal black locks was gray hair.
He showed it to his mother, who said: Il
hoped you would take after my side Of the
family. Your father was white at thirty"
He turned cold. Was youth-that essence
upon which the stage feeds as Molochs feed on
virsins-was youth passing from him2 Absurd!
And yet-he went again to the miror-how
terrible it would be If he should turn gray.
He was IN the radiant flower Of his vigor and
beauty: of hn talent and mild renown. when he
met Suzanne. He was appearing in his home
city in play that delighted the provinces. 1t
was tense. intricate piece. In It he was TO-
mantle and Glowing ~ diplomat who won the
heart Of Duchess. His leading lady-she
Duchess thought he had the wamest kiss and
he coolest 6nser-6ps she had ever known. She
played with him two seasons. During that inter-
lude. she never got closer to him than hnger-6ps
-of-stagel One man had broken her heart
Another had beaten her body. She hated neither
Of those as she hated David.