thought exclaimed aloud:--"Oh, what would I not give to be able to
act like that." The manager who was close by, and who had been
watching the attentive beauty for some time, overheard the remark,
and intercepting the pair on their way out of the theatre said:--
"I noticed that you were favorably impressed with the piece; would
you like an introduction to Miss B----, the principal actress?"
Margery was overcome with delight, and besought her father so
earnestly to allow her to go into the green room that he accompanied
her thither, and they obtained an introduction to the famous artiste.
Miss B---- was quite taken with the innocent enthusiasm of the girl,
and invited her to come to her benefit on the following evening,
when she was to appear as Parthenia in "Ingomar;" Margery, having
obtained her father's permission, readily consented, and all the way
home was full of praises for Juliet, Romeo, the manager, and all
concerned. On the following evening the manager drew her father
aside and whispered in his ear:--"You have a fortune in that girl of
yours." Walker, misunderstanding the purport of his words, replied:--
"Yes, she is a good and affectionate child, as much so as if I were
her natural parent." "You do not understand me," said the other;
"I mean she has immense emotional power, which, if artistically
cultivated, would, coupled with her personal appearance, make both
her fortune and yours."

"Do you think so?" replied Walker; "well, if we had only the means
I would certainly have her trained, for, since she has seen
Mademoiselle B---- act, her great ambition seems to be to occupy a
similar position." After further conversation it was agreed to place
Margery under the care of Mrs. L----, with a view of becoming a
professional actress; for, although Walker did not at all care for
the stage or its concomitants, still he did not wish to throw any