Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-04-24
SAVED FROM FLIGHT.

SAVED FROM FLIGHT.
was by myself in the stalls Of q well
known theatre one evening; the house was
crowded; the piece popular-it was a com
edy: the title forget The first act had
well begun when two people, arriving even
later than the latest of fashionable play
goers, came and seated themselves Just ii
front Of me
One Of them was a woman, lady whose
face was not unknown to me, although
could no. give it name. She belonged to
the great world, Of that had little doubt
and must have met her at one or other Of
the social gatherings so constantly occurring
in this gay town Her companion was a
young fellow, lad almost, with strong
family Likeness; probably her brother
Not bad-looking boy, gentleman like
and well dressed But what were merely
good looks in him amounted to SPLENDID
ehlouissante beauty in her. She was tall
and graceful, perfectly lovely in face and
form In the short space Of time that elapsed
while she was taking her seat l was able to
SEQ and admire her face, with its
regular features and clear, white
complexion. 1 noted especially her
magnificent eyes-black, lustrous liquid
eyes, with a melancholy look in them.
The appearance of beautiful woman in the
stalls II West Side theatre is not so rare
as to call for particular remark. Having
noted the fact of this new conner s attractive
ness, ! should have thought no more about
her, but that she presently excited in me
certain wondering interest which grew into
distinct curiosity ere long.
| could not make her out in the least
Although seated with her back 20 me,
soon became aware that she did not care
one atom about the play. TWAS a comedy,
| have said, and sufficiently amusingCat
least there were many humorous lines that
often provoked laughter and hearty ap-
plause, from my self with the rest; but upon
the lady before me everything fell dead.
She was distraite, absent minded, utterly
careless of what happened on the stage. 1t
could not be her own thoughts that absorbed
her, for she continually looked round about
the house in I'm idle, indifferent fashion,
and when her face was turned my way
came to the conclusion that she was
profoundly bored With her companion
she never exchanged q single word 1t WAS
not a time for conversation, perhaps, but
there were none Of those pleasant asides
between them, the suggestions Of approving
criticism, that near neighbors so generally
exchange when at the play. The boy spoke
once or twice, but obtained no answer from
his companion. She seemed to ignore and
lie unconscious of his existence.
So it went on for an hour or more, and
it would have interfered greatly with my
en- ioyment of the play, had not found
soma setoif in speculation as to the causes
OF the lady's strange behavior.
Suddenly there was change in her man.
ner. 1t was caused by something that hap
pene1 in box on the grand tier. This box
was occupied by party as illconducted as
any that ever excited the ire of Mrs. Kendall
They talked and laughed amongst each
other noisily and continuously, TO the mani
fest annoyance of every one in the house.
The disturbance was borne for some time
with the usual forbearance of a West Side
audience; but gradually murmurs of dis
gust arose from various parts, which in
creased presently into an indignant Hush
from the stalls, backed up by loud shouts of
turn them QUIT" from the gois
1t was at this last protest that one of the
occupants OF the box, a distinguished look
ing person, CAM t. the front, aud smiled
contemptuously down. knew him; he
was well known man about town-Mr. "
| will call HMM tine Lest set, rich,
cou-tei, successful
did not quite understand his action. 1t
was one of bravGdo, perhaps made with the
idea of having the last word; for after he
had shown himself he returned again into
tn. Lacz of the box, and possibly used his
influence to make his companions behave
themselves.
IL ft.a nf hat
worked tie change in the lady in front of
me | could see that vivid blush mantled
TO her cheek, its crimson extending even to
her neck and shouiler she tremblel vio-
lently, and wit "a manifest effort looked
away from the box, concentrating her at
tention almost for the first time upon the
stage.
No doubt she knew Mr.. " But why was
she so affected at the sight of him. What
corll her relations lie with him! Who and
wnat was she.
Soon afterwards the act-drop fell For
the first time of the whole evening tho lady
spoke 10 her companion
AREN'T you going TO smoke, Algy. You
will have time io- n cigarette"
The boy &C epted the Offer almost with
alacrity, AMI went out
Whiie was still wondering whether she
bai sent him away on purpose, all doubt
was remo.e by the app arance at the en-
trancc-Goor OF Mr. y, who mide his way
s,rai. 1t to her part Of the stalls
Il have been watching You, Bertha, ever
since you came il, he said, as he shook
hands warmly, Il was certain you wouli
come
Il never saw you till just now, when you
came to the front Whom are you with.
What horrid people. so ill-behavedr
.Pshaw. what DOES i. matter. l only
joinei them because 1 know from their box
l should see ali parts of the house l was
certain you would come" he repeated, en-
phasizing the words in a way that con
WINGED ms they covered a deeper meaning
Who is it with you' You are not alone,
| saw some ONE
Only Algy, my young brother, you
know"
How did you come! In your carriage.T
NO She hesitated, falterei, looked
down. The simple admission seemingly
cost her great effort We came in q
cab
Then you consent, Bertha! You have
not changed your mind. l was certain you
would not. my"
The rest of his words. SPOKEN close to her
ear, were quite inauiihle. But they wer.
surely words Of deep moment spoken earn
estly, passionately for she hung her head
and shivered-with emotion, fear, anguish
what.-as she listened
You understand he said at length, and
once more aloud You can not possibly
make any mistake l have arranged 1t
all
No, no; can not, l must not. You
must release me from my promise, size an
swerei, in low, almost agonized accents as
no rose TO leave his seat by her side
But with little wave of the hand and
an encouraging smile be left her, utterly
ignoring her entreaty.
What could it all meant was more than
ever puzzled and perp'exed VIVA: ,onclu-
sions were to be drawn from this strange
episode. Was l ON the fringe of some scan
dali was il part o; some thrilling social
drama that these two were playing here
within few inches OF me In this crowded
public place.
In the next wait between ths acts the
brother did not leave his place, SO know
Mr. y. would not return Curious 20 find
out something about the lady, whose at,i
tude was now one of semistupor, l left nv
scat, and mixed amongst the iit,Is -o;,p y. |
oilers .hat stood round the entrs nee 10 the |
stats one of them was a friend Jack |
Seddoas, who knew m1st PEOPLE abous iowa,
and we now faced the lady pointed her |
out TO him, and asked him If he had seen
her before
- yes: it is Mrs 81
Married them