The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-22

the boy. You must not let him ge, into harm oi any kind. He is all now have in the world, and if any great harm came to him should break my hean."
 The old woman promised, and kept her promise faithfully during the time she had been with him.
 At last the grea, nigAt was at hand. Walford was full of spirits and confidence The rehearsals had been most satisfactory. Everybody connected with the theatre had compiimented him upon his singing and acting in the part, and the whole company were in the very best of humor, for the belief was general that the opera would run . hundred nights at least.
 It was dreary, cold damp, dishearten- ing evening when Walford prepared to leave his home for the theatre. Some months ago, when his wife died, he had had an engagement, but it was now two months since his latest appearance in public.
 "Now, Martha" said he, on leaving you'll be king of the castle while I'm away. shall not be back till past mid night You need not sit up for me. shall get my supper in town. It's time now, isn't it for Freddy to go to bed 7 He took the boy in his arms and kissed him fondly and stroked his brown curis and called him his Fred, his little man, his fine boy. Then added: think Martha, in honor of the occasion l mus, give Freddy shilling"
 The boy eiapped his hands with de light and laughed. He never had had a whole shilling before. Pennies, of course, often came his way, and although he had nc definite idea of the purchasing power of shilling, he knew they were much greater than those of penny.
 The father handed the bsy the shilling and having kissed him again long and lingeringly, rose with a sigh and said to Martha: "You'll take care he gets into no trouble while I'm away. The safest place for him is in bed. Put him to bed, Martha, at once there's a good soul"
 She promised to do so and he left the lhsnss go. in.a an amnihn< and made his way as quickly as possible to the Cremo- na.
 Here all was hustle and excitement. Every one who was any one was in front. By the time he was dressed he was told that the house was filled cramful from top to bottom, and that from the parts where it was impossible 10 book seats they had been turning money away. Every one behind was in the best of good humor and he himself felt more elated than on any other occasion since his wife's death.
 If this piece were hit, and he sue cess in ii, his upward progress in his pro- fession was certain. He should not only be able 10 live in comfort, but 10 save up money tor his boy, and for time when that mos, delicate of all properties, a ten- or $ voice. ceased to have a market value.
 He still lacked of thirty, and with care he might calculate on twenty years lease of his voice. Supposing his voice lasted twenty years. and this opera gave him a command of the market ; in those twenty years he could save enough money to in- sure his old age against want and 10 pro- vide handsomely for his boy,
 He did not come on very early in the first act. He felt in no way nervous. He never had been in better voice. and the part suited him perfectly. What more could any tenor desire!
 This was of course an under-study on his part. NJ. Grattin was the under-study and singular to say. hc did not arrive Tn the theatre before the curtain went up. This was grossly improper For suppos- ing any accident had happened to Wal ford. there would have been barely time for t,rat,in to dress and make up from the moment the bell rang until the lead ing tenor was required on the stage. Grat,in had belonged to the Cremona Company fer considerable time, and during that time had always sung second or third tenor parts. He had been paid eight guineas week, and for a while there had foated before him the hope that he might be promoted 10 front place with salary of 70. This hope had been dispelled when Walford got the engagement. and now he, Grattin. had no part at all, and no chance of an ap- Pearance during the presen, run, unless Walford broke down.
 usi as the curtain rung up there was a great eommo,ion behind. Graitin had arrived in a state of the highest excite men,. and there were sounds of cons,er- nation and dismay from the mems dress ing-room. Before the curtain had been up couple of minutes the opera was stopped. and the manager stepped for ward to explain that owing to sad ca lamity, news of which had reached the thea,er but that very moment, NIT. Wal ford would not be able 10 appear that evening. h the face of such misfort- u-e, NJ. t'ra,tin, with whom they had so long been favorabiy familiar, had kindly consented to sing the part.
 The manager said more, bu, this is all that is material The audience were doeile, and accepted the situation with out murmur.
 What had occurred behind was this Grattin had, in state of the widest ex- ei,ement, rushed into the men's dressing room and announced that Albany Lodge was on sre, and there was reason to sup pose the boy had perished in the flames. He explained that, what mus, have been from ihree-quarters of an hour to a hour after Walford left his home. he Gra,,in) was passing Sy with the intention of call ,ng tor his friend, when he found crowd