San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-09
THE FINGER-END.

beauty in her last pas U'ttIy gathered Up
the flowers and the bjLLet-tt,lLr, and passed
the latter under cover of the former into
the hand Of her for whom they were intend
ed
Greengraves glanced up quickly at the
box. Sir Richard, with an expression Of
painful confusion, had drawn back into the
dim obscurity. The ddHSeltSe with a Slight
frOwn, and biting her lip, passed the bout
quet to a ballet-girl, crushed the note in her
hand, and continued the business of the
scene.
A moment later GrcCngraYeS heard the
bOx-dOor close with a loud snap and leav-
ing his own seat made his way into the lob
by.
The first person the detective met in the
passage was Mr.. Moselry, the lessee, who
stared at him very hard:
Yes" said Greengraves, rightly inter
preting the others look, Its me. | want
to go OIL the stage. VIII youpassme through
til. cross door, please?'
with III 'asure, Mr.. Grecngraves. AS
long as have ANY int T'St in the place, you
know, you are always welcome to the run
of it,"
You don't seem in spirits tonight. Good
house though"
Good enough if any of the money were
coming to me. All bespoke-every half
penny of it. Ii some one doesn't come to
our help soon the games up"
Il shall see Moss tomorrow, and I'll have
good talk with him."
In these few words Law the secret of Grip
pcr's influence at the theatre. Gripper had
acted as agent in obtaining loans for theun-
fortunate lessee, plunged head and ears in
debt and difficulty.
Greengraves passed through the door the
other unlocked for him, aud found himself
upon the stage. The first scene had been
closed in by fats to prepare for grand set.
The wings were thrOH-Cd with balletgirls,
and he picked his way through what seem
ed like tumultuOuS pillows of muslin and
tulle.
On every side bright eyes met his with
bold stare, and shapely arms and necks
flashed white in the gaslight But Mr..
Greengraves pushed his way stoically on
wards, with an occasional Beg pardon" or
ALLOW me-" searching right and left for
some object he had in view.
Suddenly he stopped short and drew back
a foot or 50. In the sha low of wing close
to him S:ood the premiere ddnScUSe and Sir
Richard, he leaning over her, seemingly in
earnest entreaty.
In the middle Of his speech she inpatient
ly tossed her head and turned away.
II did not read it. When saw it was
only letter with no enclosure" she said
with curl of her lip, what interest was
there in it? hate so much letter-writing!
like man. man, too, who pretends to
be gentleman-to keep his promise"
But Louise, have explained. 1t is lost.
I am making every effort"
'"Are there no more diamonds in the
world, thenp Is that what you would have
me believer Let me tell you there are,
though, and more men too" MI
Your turn, miss" said the call-boy at this
moment, as she returned to the stage, whilst
FOrdyce remained where she had left him
with white face, in which there was q
strange expression of pain and mortifca-
ton. ~. a..|. t-.
The carpenters jostled him as they pass
ed, and the ballet-girls wandering by trod
on his toes, and laughed with something
very like contempt. .
Mr.. Greengraves shrugged his shoulders,
and smiled. 'a."