Hardy's footstep, mingled with a daintier one, sounded in the hall. He had met the new leading lady—a long-talked-of acquisi tion to the company, who, only last year, was a city favourite. But the theatrical

ladder is uncertain. Hardy was introducing her to the various members of the company. AlHe's picture was in his pocket, so he was only courteous to this brilliant woman, about whom hovered the glamour of cities. Yet his cheek tingled as fie noted her look askance at his threadbare clothes. There was something triumphant in his manner u> he called Bhiir out and introduced him.
Blair, who for months had starved for congenial companionship, becamo interested at once, so Hardy's friend was lost to him and appropriated by the new arrival. She could sympathise—she could understand.
It was in New York City, two years later, that Harry Hardy's play was accepted by one of the bi_; producing managers. After the Murray Comonny went to pieces some where in Pennsylvania he had returned to his Western home and laboured for a year over it—a year during which the village scoffed at him as a failure; during which only Allie encouraged him and cheered him on ; during which".he strict copyright laws were passed which gave the American author a chance.
