To all outward appearances Miss Beth Norvell remained serenely

unconscious regarding either his admiration or his presence. It was

impossible to imagine that in so small a company he could continually

pass and repass without attracting notice, yet neither word nor look

passed between them; no introduction had been accorded, and she merely

ignored him, under the natural impression, without doubt, that he was

simply an ignorant roustabout of the stage, a wielder of trunks, a

manipulator of scenery, in whom she could feel no possible interest. A

week passed thus, the troupe displaying their talents to fair business,

and constantly penetrating into more remote regions, stopping at all

manner of hotels, travelling in every species of conveyance, and

exhibiting their ability, or lack of it, upon every makeshift of a

stage. Sometimes this was a bare hall; again it was an armory, with an

occasional opera house--like an oasis in the vast desert--to yield them

fresh professional courage. Small cities, straggling towns, boisterous

mining camps welcomed and speeded them on, until sameness became

routine, and names grew meaningless. It was the sort of life to test

character thoroughly, and the "Heart of the World" troupe of strollers

began very promptly to exhibit its kind. Albrecht, who was making

money, retained his coarse good-nature unruffled by the hardships of

travel; but the majority of the stage people grew morose and

fretful,--the eminent comedian, glum and unapproachable as a bear; the

leading gentleman swearing savagely over every unusual worry, and

acting the boor generally; the ingénue, snappy and cat-like. Miss

Norvell alone among them all appeared as at first, reserved, quiet,

uncomplaining, forming no intimate friendships, yet performing her

nightly work with constantly augmenting power. Winston, ever observing

her with increasing interest, imagined that the strain of such a life

was telling upon her health, exhibiting its baleful effect in the

whitening of her cheeks, in those darker shadows forming beneath her

eyes, as well as in a shade less of animation in her manner. Yet he

saw comparatively little of her, his own work proving sufficiently

onerous; the quick jumps from town to town leaving small opportunity

for either rest or reflection. He had been advanced to a small

speaking part, but the remainder of his waking hours, while he was

attired in working-clothes, was diligently devoted to the strenuous

labor of his muscles. The novelty of the life had long since vanished,

the so eagerly expected experience had already become amply sufficient;

again and again, flinging his wearied body upon a cot in some strange

room, he had called himself an unmitigated ass, and sworn loudly that

he would certainly quit in the morning. Yet the girl held him. He did

not completely realize how or why, yet some peculiar, indefinite

fascination appeared to bind his destinies to her; he ever desired to

see her once again, to be near her, to feel the charm of her work, to

listen to the sound of her voice, to experience the thrill of her

presence. So strong and compelling became this influence over him that

day after day he held on, actually afraid to sever that slight bond of

professional companionship.




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