Show Student Life ing them Half hidden among them was a box labeled “make up” and on its top lay some half used sticks of grease paints and a powder puff At Ada’s feet lay the old valise containing still other articles Upon the hearth an open letter lay dangerously close to the fire and Hugh quietly picked it up To him this all seemed a strange dream Where these peculiar ai tides of the stage came from and how they happened to be here in her room puzzled him He was completely bewildered by the silence which prevailed for except an occasional sob not a sound was heard He looked long into the fire and then at her He pitied her but why he did not know He shrank back at the thought of arousing her for fear of some dread consequence Curiously he began reading the letter in his hand Anxiously he continued When he had finished he looked at her with eyes full of surprise wonder and excitement for now he understood Her mother had been a real actress He must have made some noise for she raised her head rubbed her eyes stared at him and then in an instant she was weeping on his shoulder With her arms around his neck she stood for some time without saying a word and he was 19 still speechless “Oh Hugh!” she finally sobbed without raising her head “what does it all mean ? Who am I ? Where did I come from? Oh Hugh tell me tell me or I’ll die!” Hugh smoothed her hair and tried to speak but words failed him so he only shook his head while tears shone in his eyes At his hesitancy she raised her swollen d face grasped him and by the shoulders and cried wildly “Tell me! Tell me! or you’ll drive me mad!” For explanation he was only able to say that he had merely read the letter and knew nothing more Sobbing bitterly she sank back into the chair before the fireplace Placing her arms upon one of the large tear-staine- side-cushio- ns of the chair she rested her head upon them and the long black hair which had fallen looselv about her shoulders stood strongly out upon the background her white dress formed in the shadows cast by the dying fire One week later she sat in the same room before the fireplace listening to Mrs Ashton tell an interesting story Especially was it interesting to Ada for it wras the story of her life connected with that of her mother This was the first time since her finding of the old valise that she was feeling well |