I
borrowed some money from a drug-store clerk who wanted to keep company
with me--I've paid it back--and I went to New York. I did get a job.
But I'm not a good actress."
She faltered over the rest--a commonplace story of engagements, of
failures, until she found herself touring the West with a wretched
theatrical troupe. "We were booked for a little town off there beyond
your woods, and the train was stalled in a snowstorm. We got on a
stage-coach, but it got stuck in a drift on one of those dreadful
roads. I was freezing cold, and I thought I'd make a short cut through
the woods. The road was running along the edge of a big forest of
pines. I cut off while they were all working to dig out the horses.
"Mr. Snaring said, 'Look out for the bears!' and I laughed and ran
up what looked like a snow-buried trail. There was a hard crust. The
woods were all glittering and so beautiful. I ran into them, laughing.
I was so glad to get away by myself from those people into the woods
where it was so silent and sort of solemn--like being in a church
again. I can't think how I got so lost. I meant to come round back
to the road, but before I knew it, I didn't know which way the road
was.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36