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charming nest of greenery and flow- J
era. Vance adopted his best bearing
ana naa nandsome features ana a
well modeled form to recommend him
to the housemaid, who showed him
into a little gem of a reception room,
saying she would take word to "Mrs.
Arlington" at once. Vance appropri
ated an easy chair and took in the
warmth and comfort of the room lux
uriously. It reminded him of home.
He arose to inspect a little' bijou of a
water color on the wall. He strolled
about the apartment, taking in the
richness and taste of the hangings.
He ran a covetous eye over a well
selected shelf of books. Then a drap
ery parted and an active, nervous
lady of perhaps fifty faced him with
keen, eyes and a quizzical smile.
"You came about the advertise
ment," she spoke rapidly. "Well, I
think ypu will do."
"Why, madam " began Vance, as
tonished at this speedy decision.
"Oh, I have been watching you, and
I am sure you will suit You know
how to walk and gesture, and I can
see possibilities of expression in your
eyes. I shall need your services from
nine to twelve each day. The com
pensation will be fifty dollars a
week." Vance gave a gasp. "First,
I will introduce you to by other aidt
my adopted daughter. Rilla!" and she
called loudly.
Vance felt as though he had stum
bled across some scene of enchant
ment. Fifty dollars a week! Three
hours' work a day A fellow-worker,
one "Rilla!" And then "Rilla" came
into the room. She seemed to bring
with her the radiance of a rare beau
ty, ah atmosphere of roses, smiles
and kisses commingled, His senses
dizzied as he looked upon this vision
of loveliness.
"You two are to be my special com
panions," explained Mrs. Arlington,
while Vance grew awkward and the
young lady blushed, as they were in
troduced after Vance had murmured
his name. "You see, Mr. Byf ord, I am
an authoress. They call me of the
impressionist type. I am well ground--
ed as to theories and the plot quan-
tity, but deficient as to details. I first
thought of employing an actor and
an actress, but they would be ranters.
Naturalness is what I want For in
stance: I am now at the fourth chap
ter of a novel where the young broken
finds himself ruined, comes to his
room to be alone, and spends an un
happy hour deciding what he should,
do. You need not speak. Just move,
about and act out what you would do
under those circumstances. You can
be seated, Rilla. You are to appear
later as his sister endeavoring to
drive away the desperate thoughts
that come into his mind."
"Oh, excellent! excellent!" went on
the speaker a few moments later, as
ing at last at bay.' A fine line! 'He'
snatched close the draperies like a be
ing at last at bay:' A fine line! 'He
sat pondering deeply at his desk,
anon casting a desolate glance at it?
rich surroundings, his no more.' J,
knew you would do. I am truly for
tunate!" Within, a few days Vance was en
rapport with his peculiar position.
Then the experience grew more inter
esting. Rilla had her part In the pan
tomine of suggestion, alone and in
conjunction with Vance, There were
some vivid love scenes to depict. They
became all too real to Vance Byford.
The prosperous times had brought a
vast change in his appearance. He
was able to dress well. He looked
at his best and Rilla was interested
in him.
One evening he met his friend
Mark, who had also found work, just
outside the Arlington grounds. They
halted near the vine-covered wall, lit
tle dreaming that Rilla on the other
side was an auditor.
"Why so gloomy, Vance?" inquired
Mark, noting the downcast demeanor
of his friend.
Then Vance told his troubles. He
was going to give up his position.
And wherefore? Rilla. Every time
in their play acting when their hands
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