she exclaimed. "Are you advising your
new boarders, those two pretty, young girls, to go on the stage?"

"Yes," returned the other. "They are looking for work, and drudgery
would be such hardship for them. And to tell the exact truth, Manager
Morgan of the Society Belle Company, who is stopping with me, told me he
would find a place in his company for her if she would leave her sister
and go out on the road; and, furthermore, that he would push her, and
take great pains in learning her all the stage business."

That evening, by his eager request, the manager was introduced to Jessie
Bain.

He told a story so glowing, Jessie felt sorely tempted to accept his
offer of a position on the stage. He promised her such a wonderful large
salary and such grand times that she was surprised. Jessie's only
objection in not accepting the offer was the thought that she should be
parted from Margaret, which, the manager assured her, would have to be,
as he had no room in his company for two.

"You can board her right here at Mrs. Tracy's," he suggested, "as your
salary will be ample to pay for her. It is a chance that not one girl
out of a thousand ever gets. You must realize that fact."

"Do you think I had better accept it, Mrs. Tracy?" asked Jessie.

"Indeed, I shouldn't hesitate," was the reply. "I'm not a theatrical
person myself, although I do keep this boarding-house for them, and I
don't know much about life behind the foot-lights, only as I hear them
tell about it; but if I were in your place, it seems to me that I should
accept it. If you don't like it, or get something better, it's easy
enough to make a change, you know."

Jessie took this view of the case, too, and she signed a contract with
the manager of the theatrical company.

"I hope I shall have a good part in the play," said Jessie, anxiously;
"and, believe me, I will do my best to make it a success."

"Your face alone will insure that," said Manager Morgan, with a bland
smile that might have warned the girl. "I will cast you for the lovely
young heiress in the play. You will wear fine dresses and look charming.
The part will suit you exactly."

"But I have no fine clothes," said Jessie, much down-hearted.

"Do not let such a little matter as that trouble you, I pray," he said
gallantly. "I will advance you the required amount; you can pay me when
you like."

Jessie said to herself that she had never met so kind a gentleman, and
her gratitude was accor