Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-15
THE WORLDS A STAGE.
Performance In which But Four
Participated.

A Performance In which But Four
Participated.
A comedy in real life that might at
any moment have been transformed into
tragedy was enacted in the city early
yesterday morning, shortly after the
hour when, according to all superstitious
lore, spirits do hold high carnival. The
scene was first-class lodging house, not
very far from one of the main thorough
fares Of the city, and the dr0matis per-
sonae were persons whose faces are very
familiar in the social circles of the city.
The act opened about l A. NJ, when a
close coupe was driven rapidly to the
door Of the establishment, and from it
alighted young man, who handed out
lady who, although closely veiled and
| shrouded in large ulster, showed by
her elastic step and swinging movement
that she was still classed in the ranks
of those who are not ashamed to
| acknowledge the date of their nativity.
| The two quickly assembled the stairs that
have to be traversed before the clerks
Office is reached, and there entered into
| a conversation with the urbane individ-
ual installed therein, who appeared to be
thoroughly used to such proceedings. He
soon arose, took down key from a nail
and ushered them to q room, where as
they entered the gentleman who was
playing the leading part removed his hat
and disclosed his identity as one OF the
prominent and much sought after
"bloods" of the city's upper crust. The
clerk had scarcely had time to pick up q
copy OF ola Reve" which he was read
| ing when the party arrived, when sud-
denly he heard the sound of footsteps as
| cending the stairs at very hasty rate.
| Looking out of his sanctum he was con-
fronted by bearded gentleman
whom he recognized as one of the prem
inent men OF the city, and this individual
without any overture blurted forth,
"Have young man and woman just
come in here ?"
"The well-trained official knew too
we'll how to answer, and he replied "No,
sir"
"But 1 know they did," said the
gentleman in an irate tone, "and want
you to tell me where they are."
"You must be mistaken" was the
response, and the clerk looked at the
registry book on which the visitors had
been careful to make no entry, emo one
has been here for some time"
"You can't fool me that way" said
the bearded gentleman in an angry tone,
but he did not continue the discussion
further, turning and descending the
stairs to the street again.
| AS soon as he was we'll away, the
clerk went hurriedly to the room where
the young couple were ensconced, and a
rap on the door soon brought its male
occupant to the scene. A quick explana-
ton OF what had occurred ensued, and
then the leading man disappeared in the
room to appear minute later with his
lady friend on his arm. She was so ex-
cited that she bad forgotten her veil,
and in her white, anxious face was dis
closed society lady, whose marriage six
months ago was chronicled in all the
papers in the city. They never walked
faster in their lives than they
did as they left the building,
and they were soon lost to sight in
the dreary fog which at that hour cast a
pail over the city. Ten minutes later an
observer might have seen the bearded
gentleman, who, by the way, is the father
of the lady, approaching the scene with
two private detectives obtained from one
of the agencies here. These he posted
in such manner that they could COM
mand every exit from the house, and
after a few minutes elapsed he went
away and left his TRUSTEES on guard
watching the cage from which the birds
had flown. Morning broke, and still the
two men, like the noble sentinel at the
gates of Pompeii, left not their posts.
The streets became thronged with
the rush of travel and the church
bells rang out their summons
to the faithful, but they stood there yet
and it was not until after the hour of noon
had sounded that paterfamilias appeared
again upon the scene and called them
from their posts. Seen from good seat
in the front row as the writer saw it. the
play was good one and affords food for
after reflection in the possibilities of the
ultimate fate of the hero and heroine,
and as to whether on some future per-
formance the heavy father will get cue
that will enable him to appear upon the
scene in time enough to form a tableau
vivant with red fire effects.