Waco evening news. (Waco, Tex.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-06

the report in regard to the beauty in
the cast was not exaggerated.
In one corner was little maiden in
robins egg blue satin, reading her
lines and devouring caramels with
equal eafnestness, while near by fat
young dude made up as ON old village
innkeeper, with lady on each hand,
was struggling with q new step for the
march. Near the stairs young mar
in magnificent scarlet uniform was
ichearsing his part to a sweet little girl
robed in black velvet and yellow satin,
while fitting from the dressing rooms
to the stage was a constant stream of
excited, nervous, laughing amateurs,
looking for lost bouquet, a missing
glove or forgotten fan. A gorgeous,
befowercd, antique gown, surmounted
by an artistic black bonnet, partly
concealed one of the graceful amateurs
who was lamenting the non-arrival Of
her bouquet. Around her were grouped
several sympathetic directoire cos
TUNED companions, whose attention
seemed about equally divided between
looking into her eyes and into my face,
for my popularity did not diminish.
] was bright enough to see all that
was going on, and / observed Brown
Lake sketching Miss Swansdown, who,
in sleeveless costume of antique cut,
looked, If possible, more charming
than ever. Mr.. Roberts, who had been
so often in the studio, was also hover
ing around in evening dress, which
was useful for contrast with the bright
costumes. It seems to me he had i'm
proved his acquaintance with Miss
Swansdown very rapidly since their
first meeting in the studio And fan
cied Lake didn't welcome him with
the old time cordiality.
Roberts had rather an important
part to play in connection with Miss
Swansdown, and naturally she would
have considerable interest in him for
the time being, at least.
While Lake was drawing Miss
Swansdown, he was also carrying on
a lively conversation with Miss Car
son, a charming, black eyed girl,
dressed in the Village beauty" style,
in which costume she was sufficiently
attractive to fascinate any one-ex-
cepting, perhaps, some Of her own sex;
for I'm sure I heard Miss Swansdown
unfavorably criticise her becoming
attire.
Now, make no pretense of great
depth-I'll acknowledge I'm shallow;
most of my observations are ON the
surface, but still I felt sure that it was
jealousy-yes, jealousy and pique-
that made Lake SO attentive to the
little black eyed Village beauty"
whenever Roberts was near Miss
Swansdown.
Suddenly heard the ring of o bell,
followed by a commanding voice; then
there was a grand rush-yes, every
one, dudes, officers, Directoire cos
tuned gentlemen and maidens fair,
rushed for the stage stairs-I--I who
had been so much sought after, SO
coveted, so fondled, was as suddenly
dropped as if / had been q last years
fashion. However, lin always treated
this way-the moment there is an ex-
element I'm forgotten, but I was
moro than usually disappointed this
time, as had anticipated going into
tho rear of the stage where I could see
the play. If Miss Swansdown had
only seen me, I felt that would not
have been thus neglected.
Brown Lake himself had never seen
tho whole play, though he had re-
hearsed parts Of it many times.
For q few moments there was q
great hustling of feet over my head,
and half suppressed, excited talking;
then again the commanding voice,
next the ring of bell, the orchestra
opened fire, the curtain rolled up and
the play began.
But my loneliness was not of long
duration; down came Lake. I read
his face at glance-he was not vel.
low; he was white, but it was jeal
Ousy.
Now, according to all the heroes in
stories, no should have bit his lip till
drops Of gore ran down his firm but
delicate jaw" he should have clenched
his nails in his hands till nothing but
his wrists were visible; he should have
paced the room like man that was
very angry at something, and, above
all, he should havc talked aloud; thel
I should have learned the cause o.
it oil.
But he did nothing Of the kind. HI
simply walked to- the fire, bit leai
pencil into small pieces, then, his eye!
falling on me, he snatchcd me up, feel
ing sure of meeting q friendly face
i noticed his hand tiembled as, looking
mo straight in tho eye, I heard hin
mutter, fam I foola" Tho room
filed again es tho curtain dropped o,
the first oct.
Miss Swansdown end Lake wer'
soon deep in an animated conversation
/ heard Ills Jealousy was caused by tn
first scene in the play, when Robert
is supposed to meet Miss Swansdowl
in @ garden-a garden made resplend
emit by the shopworn verdure Of 81,
potted plants, Q canvas back ston
wall and graceful card board vines
Hero the noble knight in moder1
dress suit kisses the hand Of tho lovcl,
maiden, which part Miss 6wansdown
in her artistic antique garb, filed wit
ease.
nyl :e ,,,, 4, tlc coo,,o x,,l,;cI, <,o,,coI ~,