Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-06-24

for three seasons now. II was not
exciting, a sort OF stock company
really. But il was safe and sure. II
meant bread and butter for nine
months OF the year. She was CRATE
full for that. She hoped she would be
asked 10 come back next season.
but-well, she didn't know.
Vernon O'Day Wells. the actor
manager, whose pet the New Art
Theater was, thin, salurnne ana
iron gray. entered followed by his
coteric. AS always there was a small
stir at his entrance. Mods. bows.
sycophantic smiles. The rehearsal
began.
Good Lord. Elsieli" he was i'm
ploring a few moments later. Get
a little fire into that, will you?
You're a courtesan. remember, a
Florcntlne woman. You're Jealous.
You're madly. insanely Jealousl
You've got blood In your veins, not
milk. Let's have a little fire. a little
real feeling. That's all I ask
CaSS reelected sardonically that
10 was not hard 10 believe Vernon
had once directed movies. The man.
ner was unmistakable. Cass had
been In pictures herself once for a
brief space.
Now thatll be all for today
Wells doomed presently. As YOU all
know, we're closing next week.
Haven't quite shaped up plans for
next season, but we'll talk that over
later He waved his hand in a sig
ma OF dismissal. CasS looked fear
fully across az the others. They were
all talking. laughing animatedly.
Perhaps they had already been ask
cd 10 sign up for next year.
Miss Barrett. Just a minute"
She turned 20 see Wells secretary
reckoning her. Vernon would like
TO see YOU upstairs for a minute"
CaSs' heart beat thickly. pound
ing so 1t almost suffOcated her.
She was being let down. then?
Vernon Wells waited lust outside
the door Of his office. He was talk
ing 10 a woman Cas- had never
seen before. A big high-bosomed
woman wearing ar Old style white
embroidered dress.
"Ah, Miss Barrettl Mrs. Clees-
paugh was anxious 10 talk 10 YOU
Vernon was saying. CasS fumbled
for a chair. Those stairs had made
her giddv again. The old faintness
was coming to overwhelm her.
Feeling the heat" she managed "a
humble. If only she could keep from
making a fool Of herself before these
people. Who was this Mrs. Ciees-
pauEh. with her jewel-studdcd hand
bag and the ridiculous emerald
brooch on her pre%posterous boSom7
Nj. Wells has been helping us
with u little theater group out AZ
Willow Stream" the lady began
pomp0uSly He Is directing the COM
pany there for the summer and we
wondered II you would care 70 Join
us 7 admired said Mrs. Clees-
paugh, so much your performance
in Romeo and Juliet"
Willow Stream! Like a cinema
flashback Cass saw the tree-shaded
lanes and blue waters Of that little
jewel-like Long Island village. III
would mean all the difference be-
tween life and death for her 10 have
this summer al Willow Stream.
What was 1t the doctor had said?
Ought 10 get out of the city or
any cost" And she had smiled al
him ironically. paying her bill. But
what about Lame? How could she
leave her?
Mrs. CleeSpaugh was babbling on.
She spoke OF art as a high calling
and mentioned $40 a week with IN
finite casualness. Well. thought Cas-.
II was not much but II was enough.
There would be shaded lanes 10
walk In Of mornings. salt air .
breathe deeply. Oh, II was more
than enouRhl
Cass stood up presently. Her own
voice sounded unreal 10 her. "Its
too marvellous" she said. unSteadi-
III. 1T sounds really perfect" Even
her laughter sounded nervous. brittle
II hope 7 car have my daughter
with me" she hazarded. Il should
be 50 glad 10 have her out Of the
town heat for the summer"
f-Dn ahNut Lame Gaid WAflE