The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 194: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

188 Anne gasped. ‘Oh, Arden, why didn’t you come and sit with me?” ‘“ Just because,’ Chase smiled, “I knew you hated actors.” One month later, on a Monday night, Hale’s new play opened. Theatergoers hadn’t forgot Anne Travis, and well-paid press-agents took particular pains to remind them that she was the young girl who had bravely and defiantly snapped her fingers under a_ celebrated Star’s nose. Now she was a star herself, and the the- ater was jammed with people to see her. And by the most singular event the irony of fate dealt out a mocking blow. The coincidence of coincidences. had hap- pened, for Arden Chase, the new leading man had made a decided hit in a big scene in the last act. Alone in her dressing-room after the play Anne was having an inner struggle. It was the same feeling Sinclair had experienced— jealousy. Only now it was brought home to her by the man who had comforted her that night in the Townsend gardens. Even as her part had been bigger than Sinclair’s in one particular, so was Chase’s bigger than hers now. Up and down the room she paced, re- membering how the audience had respond- ed to his acting. Suddenly she stopped. A thought flashed through her mind even though she tried to check it. She was the star. Why not have his lines cut the same as hers had been! -Suddenly a knock came on the door. She threw it open and Arden Chase stood be- fore her. Coldly she invited him to enter, then closed the door. ‘‘ Anne,” he cried boyishly, not seeing the worried expression on her face, ‘* oh, Anne, I was so nervous. And when they applauded me after that act, I could not believe my good fortune.” She did not answer, but stood in the mid- dle of the room watching him. Then he walked over and took one of her hands tenderly. ‘“* Anne,” he said again, “‘ you must know THE ARGOSY. what I’ve been wanting to tell you. I love you, dear, and—”’ She closed her eyes for a second, her heart pounding furiously. Then the thought of that scene flamed up in jealousy. Slowly she pushed him from her. ““ Please, Mr. Chase, I don’t feel well to- night. WHI you kindly excuse me this time?” For a second Chase stared ather. He had been hurt by her tone more than her words. Then he thought that she was offended because he had spoken of his love. His enthusiasm and high spirits were dashed to the ground as he slowly started for the door. ‘““T’m sorry,” he said. ‘“ Good night.” Anne stood looking after him, and as the door closed she sank into a chair, crying out what was in her pent-up heart. The following night Chase entered the theater depressed. Anne felt if anything worse. During the firsteand second acts they tried their best not to show the barrier which had sprung up between them so suddenly. After the second act she remained in her dressing-room, while Chase sat in his with sorrowful eyes. With her face slightly tear-stained, Anne played the third and last act. It was in a scene near the end when she and Chase were alone on the stage that she noticed how sad he looked as he watched her with wistful eyes. Then came the big awakening; and with it the realization of how small and foolish was the jealousy which she had felt toward him. Now as she watched him she felt happy, for she knew that she was proud of him, of his success. As he slowly advanced to take her in his arms in the scene that ended the play, she looked up into his face and smiled. And then suddenly she lifted her mouth and kissed him-on the chin. ““T love you,” she whispered. But those out front did not hear words that were not in the play, for they were on the other side of the curtain. comicbool< CO