The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-24
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DY MABEL MCELLIOTT

It meant bread and butter for nine
months Of the year.
She was grateful for that. She
hoped she would be asked to come
back next season, but-well, she
didn't know.
XTERNON O'DAY WELLS, the
v actor-manager. whose pet the
New Art theater was, thin, satur-
nine and iron gray, entered fol-
lowed by his coterie. AS always
there was a small stir at his en-
trance. Mods, bows, sycophantic
smiles. The rehearsal began.
Good, Lord, Elsiel" he was i'm
ploring a few moments later. Get a
little fire into that, will you? You're
courtesan, remember, a Floren-
tine woman. You're Jealous. You're
madly, insanely jealousl You're got
blood in your veins, not milk. Let's
have a little fire, a little real feel
ing. That's all I ask"
Cass reflected sardonically that 1t
was not hard to believe Vernon had
once directed movies. The manner
was unmistakable. Cass had been
in pictures herself once for a brief
space.
Nov that1l be all for today"
Wells doomed presently. Gas you
all know, we're closing next week.
Haven't quite shaped up plans for
next season, but well talk that over
later" He waved his hand in a
signal of dismissal.
Cass looked fearfully across at
the others. They were all talking,
laughing animatedly. Perhaps they
had already been asked to sign up
for next year.
Miss Barrett, Just a minute"
She turned to see Wells secretary
reckoning her. Vernon would like
to see you up stairs for a nlinuate. F"
Cass' heart beat thickly, pounding
so it almost suffocated her. She
was being let down, then?
Vernon Wells waited just outside
the door Of his office. He was talk
ing to a woman Cass had never seen
before. A big, high-bosoned woman
wearing an old style white enbroi-
dered dress.
"Ah, Miss BarrettI Mrs. Clees-
paugh was anxious to talk to you, -
Vernon was saying. Cass fumbled
for chair. Those stars had made
her giddy again. The old faintess
was coming to overwhelm her.
Feeling the heat" she managed
to humble. If only she could keep
from making a fool Of herself before
these people. Who was this Mrs.
CleeSpaugh, with her jewel-studded
handbag and the ridiculous emerald
brooch on her preposterous bosom?
"Mr. Wells has been helping us
with our little theater group out at
Willow Stream" the lady began
pompously. HE is directing the
company there for the summer and
we wondered if you would care to
join us. I admired" said Mrs. CIees-
paugh, so much your performance
in Romeo and Juliet"
Willow Stream! Like a cinema
flasaback Cass saw the tree-shaded
lanes and blue waters of that little
jewel-like Long Island village. It
would mean all the difference be-
tween life and death for her to have
this summer at Willow Stream.
What was 1t the doctor had said?
Ought to get out of the CITY at
any cost" And she had smiled at
him ironically, paying her bill. But
what about Lame? How could she
leave her?
MFRS. CLEESPAUGH was bab-
4VA bling on. She spoke of art as
a high calling and mentioned $40
a week with infinite casualness.
Well, though Cass, it was not much,
but it was enough. There would be
shaded lanes to walk in Of morn
ings, salt air to breathe deeply. Oh,
1t was more than enough!
CasS stood up presently. Her own
voice sounded unreal to her. cts
too marvellous" she said, unsteadily.
TT sounds really perfect" Even
her laughter sounded nervous, brit
tie. Il hope I can have my daugh-
ter with me-" she hazarded. 81
should be so glad to have her out
Of the town heat for the summer. -
"Oh, about Liane," said Wells
seeming to remember. There will
have to be double box Office staff
at Willow Stream. We have a girI
engaged for the afternoons, but ]
wondered if Lame might not take
over the job in the evenings"
She's inexperienced, but I'm sure
she could manage it," Cass told him
"Liane?" Mrs. Cleesbaugh's magis-
terial dark eyes sought Cass'.
MY child. She's 49," Cass ex.
planned, with that surging of pride
which always accompanied her ex-
PLANTATION.
Going home she found the city