A Bright Tomorrow Read Online Free Page A

taught me not to talk to strangers—especially to those who tell lies.”
    The man threw back his head and laughed, delighted with her answer. “Your mother gives good advice,” he said, “but I haven’t lied to you.”
    â€œYes, you have,” Lylah said quickly, motioning toward the picture on the wall. “I’m not as beautiful as that lady.”
    â€œHave you ever seen her in person?”
    â€œWell, no—”
    â€œWell, I see her every day…and I swear on my grandfather’s…nose,” he substituted quickly, “that Miss Adams would give a year’s earnings to have your coloring and those eyes!”
    Lylah stared at him, ignoring the compliment, and breathed, “You see Maude Adams every day? Are you…an actor ?”
    Again he laughed, then reached out and turned her around. “My feelings are hurt!” he said, and pointed to a picture just to the left of the star’s.
    Lylah read the name aloud: “James K. Hackett—” then examined the picture. “It’s you!” she cried, and turned to face the actor.
    â€œIn person!” He bowed gracefully, then asked, “And you are—”
    â€œMy name is Lylah Stuart.”
    â€œWell, Miss Stuart, I take it you haven’t seen the play?”
    â€œNo, I haven’t. Are you Romeo?”
    â€œWell, no—” A frown creased his smooth forehead, and he bit his lips. “If justice were done, I would be in that role.” Then he flashed those white teeth. “But many critics say that the part of Mercutio is far better than that of Romeo. Do you agree?”
    â€œOh, I’ve never seen any play, Mr. Hackett!” Lylah protested.
    His heavy black eyebrows shot up. “Never seen a play?” he said in astonishment. “I can’t believe it! What have you been doing all your life?”
    An impulse prompted Lylah to invent a story about being the daughter of a wealthy man who didn’t like plays, but she was too smart and too honest for that.
    â€œI’ve been feeding pigs,” she said with a sudden impish grin.
    Her smile, Hackett found, was infectious. And she was a peach. He suddenly liked the girl’s forthrightness. He shook his head. “My, that won’t do! You’ll have to come to the performance.”
    â€œOh, I can’t afford it,” Lylah said at once.
    â€œAs my guest, of course.” Hackett smiled. He reached into his pocket and came out with one of the complimentary tickets the actors all received. “Front row center.” Seeing her reluctance, he added quickly. “After the performance I’d like to take you backstage to meet Miss Adams.”
    A verse of Scripture flashed into Lylah’s mind: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.
    Lylah struggled, knowing that entering a theater was against all the laws of God she’d been taught. She was due at the church, and Don would be worried sick about her. Her mother would be grieved. No doubt there would be language that would offend the ears of a young lady. And certainly no green young girl should even think of putting herself under the power of a creature as attractive as James K. Hackett!
    â€œI’ll be honored to be your guest, Mr. Hackett,” Lylah agreed, after a spiritual struggle that lasted all of fifteen seconds.
    â€œFine! Now you just come along with me, and we’ll have something to drink before I have to change—”
    Quickly the minutes passed until the curtain went up. And from that instant, time ceased for Lylah Stuart.
    For three hours the actors moved and spoke and fought and loved. Their strong voices flowed over the stage, the language of Shakespeare sometimes caressing Lylah’s ears like