THE ACTOR AND THE ACTRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 293, 10 December 1910, Page 20

THE ACTOR AND THE ACTRESS.

BY M. S: GRAY:

CHAPTER XVm_ '_.-—.- "Madame will desire to rest, is it not so ?." " Yes, please. If you will draw the blinds down, I think I will sleep for a little while. And, if you see my husband when you go down stairs, please teUliim. I am resting." Vv

" But, certainly, madame ! " Susetle;*l having puiied down the green shades | which shut out the glare of the afternoon Bun, rearranged two or three things which : did not need rearrangement, and giving a final pat to the great white bed, departed, with a swish of frilled petticoats, in search of monsieur. Most certainly, I she must find monsieur, and assure him ' that the charming madanre was resting —what he would call, possibly, one leetle I nap. So. devoted a husband as monsieur I would assuredly be obliged to Susette for information of his chanming lady., And monsieur himself—ah! Susette smiled I to herself as she. tripped flown the broad stairway. "What, 'andsomeness ! What a voice !Ma foi ! what a smile had j monsieur! Madame was certainly a~ most lucky lady. \" ;,. _~'._■'

Ah ! there "was monsieur, just entering !by the great doorway, and reading TEeiso-very-dnteresting English -papery to* whifc'h he was so devoted. But, pardon! Monsieur would 'be glad to heaT that his so charming' madame was resting ! She had, in fact, gone to repose herself for a whale, she had instructed Susette to inform monsieur, if she had the 'appiness to meet him. . ■ __"• — -■"■»•• "' "All right, thaaik'.you,/ Basil said, smnling at Susette's pretty'fa«e and blaxsk eyes. Susette departed, with another swish of the frilled petticoats, this time for monsieur's benefit,, and Basil, paper in hand, turned doorwards agadn, and threw himself into one of the cane chairs with which the verandah of the Hotel Angleterre abounded.

Upstairs, in the darkness of "blue great cool bedroom, Joan lay on tne big white Ibed, i-_h_.nlr.ng. The drowsiness which had made the dark room so attractive, had fled as soon as she composed herself foT a nap, -with a fickleness -which often distinguishes the drowsy god. Joan had much, to think of, as she lay watching jwith fascinated eyes the shadows of the "leaves I 'outside the window.. (Phis fiuimnfer .ifcrip,-! liow coming to; an end,-had been a "dream, of delight.to; her. It had. been like wandering..through an enchanted la-nd, -witli Prince Cha.rn_ing as her sole companion. That, indeed, had 'been the .chief of the many attractions of, this summer holiday to Joan —she had Basil all;to herself. For the first time in their married life, except for two brief days of their honeymoon, there were; no others to take Basil from her. She bad not that feeling which, in spite of her happiness, was always at least in the background of her mind, that sbe was "out of it"; that she could not share her husband's plans or interests; that most of the time he, talked a language which she did not understand ; and (this most of all) that his choics. of.her for a wife was a continual source.of surprise to his • ;»p.q-i__aintance3::if'hot to''bis.jfriends

-In .these days of ..holiday;;.when, by easy stages, 4 fcost to Paris, where Joan filled her mind witi memorable sights and sounds, and. lived over again the horrors of the French Revolution; when Versailles succeeded to the Louvre, and Notre Dame to both; when from thence they came to "beautiful Grrindelwald, and Joan"ldst her heart* and looked -with hig solemn tears,in.her eyes ~"at the Jungfrau's white "beaiity; down to

; these last days .at Vevey, with its hills reflected Jn the v-.-Jake—throughput.... all' ; Joan -'felt she- haa'i -got' -nearer-to--her^-husband—than—ever before. She would probably never really understand him-^—-the - dis-- .. parity in their • ages as ..well as the difference "in . their ,6nvir6h- ; mehts for so many, years, were factors i which helped to prevent a.perfect under- | standing between them; but, in the long talks as- they drove-., along 'the white, roads, or walked by the lake side, or climbed the hill to tiie church of St.' Mar- : tin, looking benevplenly down on the town below, "Joan talked more freely to .Basil £ than she had ever done at home'in-Ehg-land,' where- His art occupied most of his time-aid v conversation. Basil; too, was at hiiTiest in these days, "alone with "his . girl wife. Away from Norah, it was 1 easier to. keep that resolution which, he ; had made on the day when he asked -tfoain to be his wife. He was doing his best now-to-make her happy, and Jie suc- ~ 'cCeded perfectly. If he could not love her —and his heart, once given to Norah, could never be taken back —he had ,a ■" very real and deep affection for his wife. • It became an increasing pleasure to plan * for her day after" day, of pleasure i "to listen to her artless outpourings of .her ..pleasure at .sights, and sounds, familiar : : to him, but new to .her. Ordinarily, Bast il sj[puld:have found- the role : of showina.n ■■■ latherf-a bore;-but, to his He -(found virtue jbecoming its .own reward, - "irad—he"really enjoyed giving Joan' the ",. benefit of. his knowledge, 'born of many ." trips abroad in his younger days. * -": .- Thanks to Norah, too, Joan's appear- • ■ ance did him -credit;- Her -gowns, were, as pretty, her.hats as smart, as those of any guest at any of the fashionable hotels where they stayed. / Those hotels, indeedj, were the one great trial of the trip to Joan. She never could feel at home in them. Basil's cool and nonchalent air .in the. face of those awful -' waiters and chambermaids, with their sharp eyes and terribly polite manners, iwas a never-ceasing wonder, to. Joan. Basil' laughed at her, and told her r to exert herself and show that she "was a fearlees Briton; but Joan preferred to let him do all the talking, and kept in the shade as much as possible.

;She was sorry that their holiday was coming to an end. ..Two-days more would see'..them en route, for .England, and,,in another, week", Basil would.be.hard at iwork rehearsing "A Master Mind," and the -happy; -quiet -days- -would be over. The one happy thought of their homecoming -was the thought of meeting Notah again. Joan had sometimes wanted Norah .badly, in these great hotels. Norah's help would have (been a boon to her, in. the presence of the awe-inspiring personages. - ' r ' • '-..-.. .■. -- - There was one thought, too, which made Joan look forward to the home-

going, tho. thought of the wonderful. Christinas present she. was going tqj'give: Basil, .This, most.of all,.made her longfor v Js6rah, and her help and counsel.

"Hello, hello, hello! You don't say it's you! Becky, I bow .to you. George, old

anan, where on earth have you been all r this time? Joan will be delighted when <-..'• ehe hears. She's having a rest now. '_..' Sit &>wn,, old pan. Npt. that chj_ir, Backy, it creaks, as I know-by experii ■ ence. This "ijs the' pick of the lot. Well, '■"■■■. l -'-"j" 1 gln-a to see yoiii" " ''-; {" '• I ? oice which had (broken I »«M.«« 1 had evidently

forgcrwfti the close proximity' of his"" wife's room, or had raised his voice more than he intended; but Joan could hear every word plainly. How glad he seemed. Somehow his gladness jarred on Joan. It sounded as if their long/and,..to her, delightful solitude a deux;had;not Satisfied him, as, she had hoped 7 and. thought 'it did. She was too young to know that theTmost devoted lover in the world can- , not be content for long without the soc-1 I iety of others bfeside the beloved object. Her pretty face clouded slightly, as she | lay listening to the voices outside, Becky's . ! clear tones alternating with the deeper j notes of the men. They seemed to' be ) enjoying themselves thoroughly, talking I the same merry nonsense which she hated j because she never seemed able to join) in it. The atmosphere at Powerscourt I Mansion seemed suddenly to bave been j ' translated to Vevey, with the coming of George and Becky. As she shut her l I eyes, she could fancy berself'at home ml I London again, with Mrs. Budd bringing in the tea, and Basil standing on the -hearthrug- exchanging ideas with George lor sparring-with the irrepressible Freddy. A fieirce," unreasoning jealousy of all and-.df George'and Becky i in'particular, swept' over po&r Joan for a moment. It was partly the result of physical causes; she was tired and feeling ill; but it was mostly the result of ■her great disappointment that (these, last two days alone with Basil should -be | taken from her. "They might have left him to-me," she soibbed to herself,- feeling. iJery sorry'for her. own troubles, and j inclined .bo nurse not uncommon 'state of mind with a.'young woman, especially, if helped out by a tired body i and "bad headache.

The door opened softly, and Basil put his head in. "Joan," -he Said, looking towards the big white bed, where he could dimly see his wife lying, "are you awake, dear? Becky and George have come." "Yes, I heard them," Joan said. Her voice sounded cross, and Basil came into the room, closing the door behind him, and came swiftly over neside her. "What's the matter, little one?" he asked, bending over. Then, as he caught sight .of . the .tears on her face—"why, Joan,' what's' the matter? Areat you well?" T -• "My head aches," Joan'said, bejginning to feel a little bit ashamed of herself.' "I couldn't sleep, though I tried to." "I'm so sorry," he said, stroking 'back the fair hair from her forehead. "Perhaps it would do you good to come out for a while. Do. you • feel. ahje •to seej George and Becky? They can only stay a couple of hours, and then they are off to Zermatt." ' ' . I

"Only staying a couple of hours?" Joan (brightened at this .news._ She would soon have Basil all to herself again then. It .made her head -feel wetter already, to think of it. "I'll come in a few minutes Basil," she said, sitting.-up. '""Just help mc down off this dreadful bed. Why they make them so high, I can't think."

Basil laughed as he lifted her ;down, and kissed her face, grown brighter alor.his presence..;"-"I supposfe.it wdS' tb.giv;e you a chance to order;your hus:band about. Mrs. Akerman," he' said. "Shall 1 fjfeajy and help you to dress?" "No, I*cam dress myself, thank you," Joan 'said, smiling. "Do you know, Basil, you've charmed away the headache already!" - ''■

"That's right," he said, watching her, -as she -shook- out her long golden curls. "I wish I had come in. before, but Ma'm-* .selle Susette warned mc off. Wcll,;-.I'IL go and tell them you are coming."

He departed, and Joan made haste to •wind the golden curls in ;; becoming coils round her head (nothing that BasiV could urge would induce her to accept the.services of a maid), and put on the daintiest of. muslin: frocks, much befrilled and befurbelowed. Thus fortified with ;the feeling' of being ; smartly gowned; and •bien coiffeej -Joan*- descended the -big staircase, and came out on the shady verandah. , -, -

'""Mrs. Basil herself!" George ; | said, jumping up and coming forward tOiineet her. "Awfully glad to see you."".,'

"Why,. Joan, you look as if you'd! be;en having a.jrea.l good time,**- Becky said, aa tie two giris kissed.

"So I-have,", Joan eaid, with a shy smilingr-glance at-Basili- "The best time I ever had in my life."

"Well, that's just -what we've-been having,'' Georges said, as he lookedvat his';! dainty .wife,, whose beaming , face bore witness to the .truth of his words. "I can safely cay it's the most delightful honeymoon we- ever had!" • ' f

"Wellj you know," Basil said, joifling in the laugh, "ours is really a honeymoon too. I have more than once suspected that we -were objects of particular "interest to our fellow travellers on that accoiint."

"You .neyer told: he- so,;. Basil," Joan .said, astonished. "W£re;they really7interested in,us? I thought those people /who stared so had simply recognised you. "As an actor, not as a Benedick?" said George. "Ah, you are too modest, Mrs. Basil. -Depend'upon it, you. both looked so blissful that you gave the •game away. What?"

"Oh, letters" said Basil, jumping Tip. They are late. Two for Mr. Akerman, one for Mr. and Mrs. Akerman."

"Nora?" asked Joan, holding out Her hand for the letter. "She's a dear to write so Boon again." ...

"Mayn't we hear the news?" Becky asked. "She hasn't written to us very often, because we didn't leave our addres.s,every time.",' " .-.-.'•

"Read it aloud, Basil," Joan said,'handing the bulky packet to her husband. "Norah'e letters are always worth hearing" .

"It's a good long one," Basil said,'as he opened it. "Hello, she's back at Farnham Court already. What's' that for?"

"Read' it and' se§,"rJoan" said, Settling herself cosily in the big cane chair, and preparing to enjoy the double treat of one of Norah's letters read■■• in Basil's ■pleasant voice. "Here goes then.", Basil threw the fag end of his cigarette over the railing, and began to read:— Farnham Court, 2nd August, 18—.' Dear Both of You, " Here we are at home again, Jack}' and I, after a thoroughly good time up North.- ; Now -we propose having a quiet week,..' to ".-. collect our> scattered- energies ■which are a little bit dispersed by the delightful burden of entertaining a party of gay young people.

I think I told you in my last longwinded epistle that I had decided to get conic young people over, and give them. a good time, and, at the same, time, see if their presence would not "do' the boy good. Well, it has certainly done him no'harm. He was rather shy at first, but, thanks to dear old Freddy (who joined us at tho last moment, and was

the life-of "the ■whole jparty), ; Jack'y soon, got- ovct -his shynessr- —He has become' Freddy's devoted adorer, follows him about everywhere; and Freddy, has been, a dear.. I caa- never, thank him enough _for -the way-he has'vpbsitively'..made".'"a '.'chui___..3bf Jackjr 'haS beehylfere. yJBLe is quite the."old Freddy njgani;_;l am glad to"say, and; more ;than ready.-for fresh fields and pastures ne*. But; from the soma charming, girls oyer, for his especial bene* fit, he has devoted himself to Jacky, taking 'him for walks and drives, boating, fishing' (anything to equal my poor laddie's pride when he actually-landed hie first'-fitih,'l-have'•-never seen), teaching him.'to: play? billiards 1 (it. would bewhopeless.'oif course," to attempt "to teach him , bridge), and so on. Only one'bther counter attraction has he found (apart I from a good wholesome adoration for ' Jackys mamma, which will do him no | 1 harm, and may Berve to keep him out oi mischief for a while), and she is so de- ' lightful that I could not be the least jealous oh Jackys account. Basil will remember, probably, meeting once or twice at home a nice little connection of mine—third ' cousin once removed, or something equally puzzling—named Enid Lamont? She lives near Trochan, is the •moving spirit of the place, shoots, golf 3, and everything elses. Last, but not least, she is the secretary or something important of the Women's liberal Branch of the district. Enid took Freddy seriously in hand, from the first, arid set to -work to intertest him in politics. Now, as you know, Freddy doesn't care two little pins about politics. I doubt if he knows half the time which party is in power, and most of his political knowledge is gained from the topical allusions in musical comedy. So here •was good, raw material for Enid to flesh her maiden sword upon! (I am afraid my metaphors have got sadly mixed, hut let them pass —for want of .better ones). She attacked him the first day at tea, on the subject of woman's suffrage (on which she is dead keen), and nearly lost her temper when Freddy declared that pretty women didn't want votes, and he wasn't interested in the other kind. Still, she isn't the kind of girl to be daunted by a setback like that; so, after dinner, when Jacky had gone off to bed, she got Freddy out into the garden, and I heard them at it again. Freddy declared that the one thing in politics which did interest him was the subject of old-age pensions; to which she responded, tartly, that he would never get one, as actors ; never got old, and she had 6een, men ..old, enough to be her father masquerading as hoys. (Bather trying for .an elderly body liK3 mc 'to hear, was it not) ? After that, Freddy told her that, if anybody could convert him, she could, and he hoped she would seriously try, as it was a pleasure,' etc., etc.—-you know the Freddy style "(I think I mentioned that Enid is very pretty, and smartest of the smart). Anyway, pretty little comedy lasted for a month, When Enid had to leave for the south; and I'm more than a little inclined to believe that Freddy missed her sorely, though he didn't say so. Well, dear people,. are, you having a glorious time over there? If you come across Becky .and George, give, them my love. I hear fron-Mthem occasionally. .

I look to see you in a few days now. What a-.lot Joan_'Will,have to tell mc!

Yours, as'ever,