The Argosy, Vol. 90 No. 1 — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

184 the city for a rest and that the play would close. Yet at the same time she told her- self that it was a retribution. Even the announcement in the same paper that she was to start rehearsals in a week for a new play in which she would be starred did not revive her spirits. For she realized that with the closing of “The Man Rules,” Williams and the play- wright would both be out financially. And she also realized that if she had not snapped her fingers on that eventful night all this could have been averted. For some time she sat looking at the clouds, her mind far away. The New York theatrical circle which she had recently entered with high spirits, and from which she had emerged with a sensational exit, had made ther very un- happy. Her one thought was to get away from town for a few days—from stage life and everything it represented. Had she not felt that she owned Wil- liams and Donald Hale a debt of gratitude she would have bidden the Great White Way farewell, for home and her mother and the friends she had left behind. None of them she told herself, had ever been jealous of her. Their one object had always been to make her happy. The maid entered the room, handing her a letter. It was addressed to the Shakes- peare Theater, and the maid said a boy from Mr. Williams’s office had brought it over. The postmark read Tuxedo, and some- what mystified, Anne tore open the en- velope. After reading the contents she gave an exclamation of delight. It was from Muriel Townsend, a girl she had gone to school with four years ago in Washington. Muriel said she had read of the Sinclair- Travis incident, and understanding that Anne had resigned from the company, wanted her to start for Tuxedo immediately to attend a week-end party.@ She made up her mind at once. “Tm going to Tuxedo,” she told her maid. “I’m going away from New York— from managers and actors and everything connected with the stage.” THE ARGOSY. The maid bowed. ‘ When do you leave, Miss Travis?’’ “This morning,” Anne replied, her eyes dancing, “if there’s a train.” V. THE same evening Anne rolled up to the Townsend house in the Townsend limou- sine. A pretty girl ran down the path to meet her. “Anne!” she exclaimed rapturously. Anne threw her arms about her hostess, and for a second they both stood talking at once, until a musical, masculine voice came from the veranda: ‘“‘ A picture for the gods, Arden. Come and take a look.” Both girls turned as Ralph Bayne, fash- ionable clubman and society idler, started down the steps with a young man about his own age following. ‘A picture for the gods, indeed!” laughed Muriel, looking up at Bayne. ‘“‘ And pray, since when have you acquired an artistic eye, Ralph?” Bayne laughed as he was introduced to Anne. ‘‘ She does nothing but cross-examine me, Miss Travis,” he said. ‘‘ Now that you’re here, I insist that you be the court.” Anne laughed, and the other young man, who had been watching her from afar, walked over to the machine. . ‘““Mr. Chase,’’ Muriel said, turning to Anne. For a second Chase looked into her eyes. He was. without a hat, and Anne thought what an attractive-looking fellow he was. And then her heart started to beat rapid- ly as he took the hand which she extended to him. Suddenly realizing that Chase was hold- ing her hand longer than propriety allowed, she somewhat shyly drew it away. Turning to Muriel she smiled. ““T’m full of dust,” she said, “I had better—”’ Muriel seized her by the arm, and they started for the house. Bayne and Chase stood looking after them. ‘“‘ She’s a dream, Arden, isn’t she?” But Chase did not answer. For, as she oO Comicbooe S CO