"You want to succeed in your profession. Let me help you."
"What could you do?"
"I know the manager pretty well, for one thing. Victor Weldon is going to make a few new productions this season, and if I asked him to give you a part, he would probably do it."
"But I want to succeed on my merits," insisted Martha. "If I am to win success, I must deserve it. I should be ashamed and humiliated if I secured an engagement through influence, and then failed."
"But why refuse influence?" protested Gordon. "It gives you the opportunity, and that is something every one must have. Many a clever actor and actress is walking Broadway to-day without an engagement, simply because of lack of opportunity. Now, if Weldon offers you a part in his new production at the Globe Theater, you won't refuse it, will you?"
"No, I wouldn't do that," pondered Martha. "But do you think I could play a small part?"
"Of course you can, and anyhow, never give up without a trial. Weldon might even offer you the leading rôle if the part suited you."
"The leading rôle?" gasped Martha. "Impossible!"
"Not at all," continued Gordon. "I happen to know that in his new production the leading rôle is that of a simple little country girl—just the sort of ingénue you were when I first met you at French Lick. The songs are simple. In fact, it's a little play with songs—not a big musical production. Your very simplicity and naturalness would make you splendidly suited to the rôle."
"It sounds like a dream," cried Martha, wonderingly. "Are you sure Mr. Weldon would ever give me a trial in the part?"