Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-24

pdICt' ana cautiously picking Ills way, Mr..
GrcergraveS moved 10 and fro, seemingly
eyer Oh the search for some missing person.
Suddenly the mention Of name close 10
him caused him to quickly turn and listen.
What, Sir Richard! We don't often see
you here, | think! Come to the last night
-eh? What splendid form she is in-eh?"
In! yes; Of whom are you speaking"
'Of Florida, to lie sure" said the other,
mentioning the name of the prima-donna
whose farewell benefit il was that evening.
"Oh, TO be sure, to be sure. Excuse HE, |
have some friends waiting for me-" and
coldly bowling Fordyce passed on.
The man who had addressed him turned
to a friend with a curious smile.
Il should like to make a bet with YOU"
he SAID. III lay you ten to one Ole Doyuey
has come 10 see the ballet"
What, Fordyce? Nonsense.'
"Wlll YOU take the bet, then-ten to one
in sovs..?"
Asthe baronet passed along through the
crowd, Greengraves followed him at a safe
distance down a narrow staircase, and pres
ENTITY saw a boX-keeper pass him into the
box that he before had noticed TO be stand
Ing empty. Having watched the boX-kcep-
er depart, Mr.. ~Greengraves cautiously APP
preached the dCor, and after glancing round
TO see that he WAS not observed, applied his
eye to the crevice. No sound was audible
within, and departing on tip-toe, lie hurried
back to his seat in the stalls.
The great days of ballet at the opera have
long since passed away. OF the fashionable
assemblage that a few minutes ago had
crowded every part of the house, but q
sprinkling remained.
Mr.. Greengraves. however, had a taste for
this kline Of entertainment, and carefully
wiped his opera-glasses with his pocket
handkerchief as the curtain rose, for. ac-
cording TO his instructions, his vigil had but
just commenced.
The ballet opened much after the usual
style, with a group OF nymphs, who, separat-
Ing, went through the ordinary terps. Choir
can ~evolrtIons, until, Of Il sudden, To Il loud
crash Of music, the premiere dRnScuse
bounded on TO the stage, and after Il series
Of brilliant catrcclQt3 came abruptly as mo-
tionleSs as a statue before the centre foot
light tc a faint sound Of applause.
\ far woman, rather above the middle
height, and supcrbly formed, wish large
~luStrous eyes, and bright white teeth giram-
Ing from botwiXt fuil red lirs. Mr.. Green
graves noticed this much, then q~uicklyturn-
ed and pcere | into The box, whose occupant
had been the object Of his search. and there.
holding Il bouquet which hid the rest Of his
face, sat the baronet, his green eyes clit err
Ing Ike those of a Rat, bis forehead flashed,
and his d;scncar>d hand clutching nervous.
~ the velvet cushion in front of TIE box.
Even nj the moment that Grecngraves
looked c%urioGs'y Gt HIM. Sir Richard rose
fnrtif.v aud r.n,,,f,-f,r Ia, ~ s,n, IN \ r. 49,.
element, dung the bouquet he held upon
tie stage. Ii fell short Of the spot at which
he lad aimed it, ard rolled along hcboarls,
ANA In lis progress something white fell
from among the noweyS-evidcntiy Il three
cornered note-at sight Ct which there WAS
a faint tit,er among the tiJ}WWa'cs, but the
male dancer who had supported the Gar
beauty in her last pas. deity gathered up
the flowers and the bjiIJt-dJir, and passed
The latter under cover Of the former into
the hand Of her for whom they were intend
cd.
Gsecrgraves glanced up quickly at the
BOX. ST. l!ichard, with an expression Of
Painful confusion, had drawn back into tho
aim obscurity. The dGN,cuSc with a Sigh.
Grown, and biting her lip, passed the bout
quct to Il ballet-girl, crushed the note in her
land, II continued the business OF the
scene.
A moment later Grecnrraves heard the
boX-door close with a loud snap, aud leav-
Ing his own seat made his way into the lob
By.
The first person the detective met in the
passage was Mr.. Moseley, the lessee, who
stared at him very hard.
Yes" said Greengravcs. rightly inter-
preting the others look, Its me. / want
to go on the stage. Willyoup pass me through
the cross door, please.:"
with pleasure, Mr.. Greengraves. As
long as | have any interest 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 b~espoke-every half
penny Of it. If some one doesn't come to
our help soon the games up"
Il Shall see Moss tomorrow, and III have
q good talk with him"
In these few words lay the secret Of Grip
pcr'S influence at the theatre. Gripper had
acted as agent in obtaining loans for the I'M
fortunate lessee, plunged head and ears in
debt and difficulty.
Groengrlycs passed through the door the
other unlocked for him, and found himself
upon the stage. The first scene had been
closed III By flats 10 prepare for a grand set.
The wings Were throngCd with baliet-g;rls,
aud he picked bis way through what seem
cd Ike tumultuous pillows of muslin and
tuile.
On every side bright eyes met his with a
bod stare, and shapcly arms and nccks
flashed white in the gaslight. But Mr..
G~rcengraycs pushed his way stoicaiiy on
wards, with all occasional Beg pardon" or
allow me-" searching right and Left for
some o5jrc. nc had in view.
Suddenly he stopped short, and drew back
a foot or SO. In the shadow Of q wing close
to him Stood the premiere ddnscusc and Sir
Richard, he leaning over her, seemingly in
earnest e%ntrcaty.
In the middle Of his speech she Impatient
~ tossed her head and turned away.
Il did not read it. Whcn l saw il was
only q letter with no enclosure" she said
with a curl Of her lip, what interest was
there in it? hate 50 much letter-writing!
! like 4 mana man, too, who pretcnds TO
be a C~entleman-to keep his promise"
but, Louise, | have explained. II is lost.
| ain making every effort"
"Are there no more diamonds In the
world, then. Is that what you would have
me believe? Let me tell you there are,
thorga, and more men too"
You turn, miss said the cail-boy at this