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.