Show the leading lady by CHARLES L DOYLE coper by W 0 chalmin Chap min there was much surprise and no little consternation in the ranks of the sterling stock company when it was announced that the star of the cast waa halladay Halll day had been taken sud denly and that the part of iris would be given ner ty the mercies of a substitute that night gerald morrison Morr lson who sustained the principal male character ot the play was par ticul arly worried over the unfortunate occurrence he looked about him in as he stepped upon the dimly lighted stage the new leading lady was not visible and the only strange face he observed was that of a pretty oune girl who had alpar antly been brought by some friend in the company for a peep behind the scenes heady tor the first act cried the stage managed and gerald was sur to see when the stage was cleared that the strange young girl remained he was about to go tor ward and warn her that the rehearsal was to begin and that the leading jadv would want the stage to herself when he was amazed to hear her repeat in rather nervous tones the opening lines assigned to iris the act pro ceedee and the girl became more nervous as each new character ap feared until when gerald approached her she greeted him arth trembling oice and tearful eyes instead of the gay flippancy assigned to the part this annoyed him and he spoke his lines in a rough careless way that made her almost forget hers she glanced at him appealingly and whispered please forgive me do better to night gerald left the theater in anything but a pleasant mood he looked forward to all sorts of ant happenings during the evening she hastened forward breathlessly performance and when the time came tor his appearance before the toot lights he had worked himself into a state of nervousness almost rivaling that of the debutante iris made up very well be thought as he came forward on the stage but it remained to be seen how she would act he advanced repeating rep his lines in a jerky irresolute fashion and mix ing the sentences so that the cue was lost much to his surprise and bellel however iris saved him from the con sequences of his lapse of memory by an extempore word or two that brought the play back into its proper groove on the following morning the news papers spoke in highest praise of the opening performance of the sterling stock company in the world and a woman to gerald morrison Morr lson was given the greatest credit lor the sue cess of the play although mention was made of the clever work of miss margaret deane who owing to the sudden illness of miss halliday took the leading lady s part of iris and ren dered an admirable performance con si dering her extreme youth and the fact that she had appeared on such short notice before gerald left the city for a tour in the south he signed a contract with the sterling stock company tor the next season when the members of the company assem bled to be cast for the play which was to be produced at the opening of the season the ew manager turned to gerald I 1 want you to meet miss deane who will play opposite to ou mr morrison Morr lson hp said the introduction is scarcely feces responded that young lady in a freezing tone of voice I 1 have had the honor of meeting air morrison Morr lson be tore our acquaintance was rather short remarked gerald I 1 am happ in being able to resume it so soon miss deane merely bowed and was silent they met constantly at re hear and gerald was surprised and annoyed at the hauteur and disdain with which he was treated by the girl whom a few short months ago he had looked upon as little more than a child there were moments when he thought he could detect a little more in her tone or glance but any encouragement thus derived was quickly overbalanced by her coldness it he presumed on it he overtook her one morning aa they left the thea ter our ways seem to lie in the same direction may 1 accompany youa he asked somewhat timidly 0 o thank you she answered in despite his repulse gerald who by this time was willing to admit to himself that he was really in love with her continued to seek margarets Mai garets society one morning on his way to rehearsal he noticed in d florist a window a pretty bunch of margua rites acting on the impulse of the moment he purchased them and on arming at the theater sent them to all s deane s dressing room when she stepped on tha stage she carried the box containing the flowers in her hand borne foolish person sent me these she remarked to the company who stood around her I 1 am not barly fond of marguerites as they re mind me too much of my own name v h ch I 1 have the misfortune to dis ike ont you all help yourselves 7 I 1 might not be so generous if they were roses As the ladies present availed them selves of the invitation and pinned clusters of the pretty blossoms on their gowns gerald received a defiant 1 atle glance from margaret that con mirced him that she had discovered the donor and that her dislike for marguerites was of recent and sudden growth the dress rehearsal which took place on the night preceding pie ceding the presentation of the piece in public was a long one and it was nearly one clock when the weary performers emerged from the stage door mar garet deane felt decidedly nervous as she walked along the lonely cross streets which were practically desert ed every footfall in the distance made her start and when she fancied she heard a cautious step behind her as of some one following in her track her heart beat painfully she glanced hastily back and caught sight of the tall form of a man who was evidently watching her she hastened forward breathlessly conscious all the time that her pur was also hurrying on at last the thought of calling a policeman entered her mind but there was none in sight A light in the window of a house close at hand caught her eye and she decided to appeal to the in mates for aid mounting the steps she was horrified to hear the rapid ap of her pursuer s feet close be hind her desperately she reached tor the bell and was about to pull it when a familiar voice said do you wish to see anybody herec I 1 have a latch key handy gerald mr morrison Morr lson almost screamed margaret in surprise and immense relief Is it really youa I 1 thought it was some awful highway man following me oh I 1 am so glad so am I 1 said gerald earnestly glad because the barriers are broken down between us even if you were a little bit frightened iou foolish child did you imagine that I 1 w al low ou to wander through the streets alone at this time of nighta and of course fate ordained that you should run up here where I 1 live now I 1 am going to see you home margaret slipped her 1 atle hand con fi through his arm and they started together I 1 was horrid to you gerald she said falteringly but I 1 never will be again during the following week the an no was made in theatrical circles of the engagement of margaret deane leading lady of the sterling stock company to gerald queer commented the stage man ager I 1 thought she hated that chap but you never can tell I 1 suppose she was in love with him all the time |