riment of a week or two in
wandering theatrical life. I had always experienced a boyish hankering
that way, and have a natural inclination to seek new experiences.
Albrecht was favorably impressed with my application, and hence I
easily attained to my present exalted position upon the stage."

"And is that all?"

"Not entirely; there yet remains a chapter to be added to my
confessions. I acknowledge I should have long since tired of the life
and its hardships, had you not chanced to be a member of the same
troupe."

"I, Mr. Winston? Why, we have scarcely spoken to each other until
to-day."

"True, yet I strenuously deny that it was my fault. In fact, I had
firmly determined that we should, and, having been a spoiled child, I
am accustomed to having my own way. This, perhaps, will partially
account for my persistency and for my still being with 'The Heart of
the World.' But all else aside, I early became intensely interested in
your work, Miss Norvell, instantly recognizing that it required no
common degree of ability to yield dignity to so poor a thing as the
play in which you appear. I began to study you and your
interpretation; I never tired of noting those little fresh touches with
which you constantly succeeded in embellishing your lines and your
'business,' and how clearly your conception of character stood forth
against the crude background of those mummers surrounding you. It was
a lesson in interpretative art to me, and one I never wearied of.
Then, I must likewise confess, something else occurred."

He paused, looking aside at her, and, as though she felt the spell of
that glance, she turned her own face, brightened by such earnest words
of praise, their eyes meeting frankly.

"What?"

"The most natural thing in the world--my admiration for the art only
served to increase my early interest in the artist. I began to feel
drawn not only to the actress but to the woman," he said gravely.

Her eyes never faltered, but faced him bravely, although her cheeks
were like poppies, and her lips faltered in their first bold effort at
swift reply.

"I am so glad you honestly think that about my work; so glad you told
me. It is a wonderful encouragement, for I know now that you speak as
a man of education, of cultivation. You must have seen the highest
class of stage interpretation, and, I am sure, have no desire merely to
flatter me. You do not speak as if you meant an idle compliment. Oh,
you can