The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-02-20
owing to the deafening applause tina.
rroofo5 btc,

star, and as he stood gracefully bowling
his acknowledgements his gaze for IN
instant was directed straight toward
our box, and I could have sworn Q look
Of recognition passed between HIM and
Mrs. Stanton. The next moment the
curtain had shut the actor from
view. The exquisite bloom of
Mrs. Stanton's cheek had deep
ened, and I wa decidedly puzzled by
the proud, happy Light that shone in
her eyes, as, turning to us, she said:
ooh! Isn't he grand? Il" The
rest of the sentence died upon her lips
as she caught sight of her husbands
white face, and a little nervously she
added: "What is the matter? Are
you i'll, Philip? Shall we go home?"
With a forced laugh he replied:
Matter! Why, what should be?
This place is contoundedly hot. I
think I'll step out a bit. If I'm not
back when the theater's out, Tom, I
know, won't mind seeing you home"
and, without waiting for the words that
trembled on his wife's lips, he left
us.
More than one tear drop glistened on
Mrs. Stanton's dark lashes as she
said:
II don't think Philip is looking we'll,
do you, Mr.. Harley? l have noticed
that he has not been himself for the last
week"
l murmured something about "I
guessed he was oil right-a little upset
by the extreme heat, perhaps" Ny
words seemed to relieve her, for, with
a smileslike a CLINT of sunshine amid an
April shower, she once more turned her
attention to the stage, and the thought
crossed my mind if there be guile there,
surely it was ne'er enclosed in so inno-
cent q form before.
As we elbowed our way through the
crowd after the performance, Mrs.
Stanton suddenly remarked:
would you do me a favor, Mr.. Har-
ley? IL should so like to speak to
Mr.. Devine a moment, if you don't
objectgoing with me to the stage door,"
adding hurriedly, II won, detain you
q second"
My face must have expressed my ex-
cessiye surprise, for, without waiting
for me to reply, she continued with:
"You think my request strange; but
Mr.. Devine is tan old friend, and I
thought-you see it would be almost
unkind not to let him know how pleas
ed I am at his success"
@Yes,"1 answered vaguely, Wishing
Philip had not been SO ready to trust
his wife to my care. Then aloud, I
said: Don't you think Philip will be
uneasy at your prolonged absence?
Would it not be more advisable to call
with your husband upon your-your
friend in the morning."
"My husband! On, no. He. disllkes
actors; that is he does not care to asso-
ciate with them, and Claude (another
slip of the tongue) leaves early to-mor-
row morning for Liverpool"
So / think size is posted as to this
stars movements.
20! woman, womanl" I mentally
calculated, thank heaven I have 30
far escaped your allurements."
With an inward anathema at the
predicament I found myself in, I offer
ed the lady my arm, and we proceeded,
without o word on either side, toward
the stage entrance. To my astonish-
ment the stage doorkeeper was evident
~ acquainted with Mrs. Stanton, for
he saluted her with:
"Well, now, that's right. Come in
and sit down, nwayinghis hand toward
a chair Of the acknowledgment style,
ADDING, with "a confidential air, "Mr.
Claude will be out 10 o minute"
True to the d~oorkeeper's words, the
star almost Immediately came hurrying
toward us, although [ doubt if he notic-
ed me, for with a pleased exclamation,
he coolly took my friends wife in his
arms and kissed her most afectionately.
And I was actually aiding and abetting
this clandestine meeting.
ut does me good, it does, to see how
fond them two be of one another" OBJ
served the old doorkeeper to me; as he
indicated with o backward movement of
his thumb the young actor and my
friends wife.
"Oh!-it does?" L answered. sar-
castically, feeling as if I should like to
punch the old fellows head, as he,
quite unconscious of my sarcasm and
malicious desire, continued with:
"You see, / knew 'em when they
weren't no higher than the table.
Mr.. Claude takes after his father, who
was an good actor. It's o
pity she's married to such a straight
laced chap. Now, I believe in letting q
woman have her own way, cause if you
don't she'll take it anyhow. Beside you
carn't go agin nature. 1t isn't to be ex-
pected as she'd give up Mr.. Claude,
even If her husband is kinder set agin
him. " ~
I began to think I must be taking
leave of my senses. Ny friends wife
being made love to under my very eyes,
while I listened to an account of said
friends unreasonableness in Directing
to such o proceeding.
Two seconds afterward I was shaking
hands with the star, feeling as if q
bombshell had been suddenly lifted
from off my heart. The modus operan-
di that led to this lightning result had
its birth in two words used by Mrs.
Stanton in making the actor and myself
known to each other. Proudly leaning
upon his arm, she had advanced toward
me, saying:
"My brother, Mr.. Harley"
My face, I expect, betrayed me, for,
apparently taking in the situation,
Claude Devine said:
ut is very distasteful to me to be
obliged to meet my sister in this clan
destine fashion, but unfortunately Mr..
Stanton has q prejudice against actors,
and Laura fearing that she might
lose his love if he became aware
of her relationship to one, ex-
acted a promise from me that ! would
never make known my kinship with her
until she had paved the way thereto.
Ny stage name Of course ef~fectuaily
prevented recognition in that quarter
ooh, but / am afraid it is as far off as
ever" here spoke Mrs. Stanton the
tears glistening in her pretty eyes.