Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-07-11
AT DRESS REHEARSAL.



The play was to be given that even
ing. The play was perhaps dubious
"A Colonial Love Story" written for
the occasion by viii Lane, who had
never written. any thing before and
did not expect 10 again.
And acting was a novelty TO the
actors--all but John Liddell, who had
once taken a minor part in farce.
and was hence chosen by acclamation
10 enact the hero In 1'A Colonial Love
Story"
But they had aprofessional "coach. y
and the best hall In town. and the
lovoliest costumes procurable; and a
large and fashionable audience was
absolutely certain. The free reading
room, for the benefit OF which "a
Colonial hove Story was TO be given,
vas sure Of a handsome donation. So
that all was blithe and buoyant
Hetty Burton stood with John
Liddell at corner OF the stage.
osteusibly watching the placing Of the
scenery for the first act; scene colo
nial kitchen. or kitchen the audience
was 20 imagine colonial
There was to be little dance and
supper after the performance that
evening at Bess Gordon's, and 1t was
20 the subject OF the first waltz that
John Liddell had skillfully led up.
lis il engaged?" he queried. bracing
himself before her in a determined
way he had.
With his very good legs incased in
knee-breeches and black silk stockings
it was a very becoming way.
NO" Hetty admitted
She swung the dainty duster she
held in rather coquettish manner.
How could she help being coquettish
in a short pink skirt under white
apron, a blue bodice, and tiny, be-
rufled cap? Hetty being billed as
Margery, a waiting-maid. and most
pleasing waiting-maid she was.
"Well, then" said John Liddell. en-
Enthusiastically, "it's plain case. You
are not engaged for the first waltz
neither am /. But you wish TO be; SC
do L ] desire 10 dance the first time
with you-and several times more; you
also desire to-"
"Do /. indeedP" cried Hetty, warm.
ly blusbing.
John Liddell had the coolest way oi
saying things. and he had acquired Il
rather suddenly, too. Hetty had known
him only since "A Colonial Love
Story" had brought them together, but
he already appeared to consider hel
his especial property, and TO talk ac-
cordingly.
II was far from unpleasant, TO be
sure, the consciousness that It was she
she alone-when every one Of the
girls thought him delightful and IRE.
sistible.
And II the other girls had thought
quite the opposite It would have made
small difference 10 Hetty. Hetty wa
In love and aware OF it.
'Yes,yo do. !" said John, collectedly
He moved little nearer NOBODY
was observing bat Mr., Ryer. tn,
coach, " and Mr. Ryer was Of small
account at that moment
For handsome and self-assured JOIN
Liddell Of a sudden lost control OF him
self.
There had been previous OCCASION
when II had seemed TO Hetty that h,
was in danger Of IL
Now he caught her hand and presse,
It in his own. with an unintelligibi
word or two, whose import was no
mysterious, and held it
'-Mr. Liddelr she whispered.
"Hettyl" said Mr.. Liddell. master
fully.
And then Mr. Ryer, who had turne'
his bald head considerably away, ram
little bell, and the next minut
Hetty's lover, as Christopher Peabody
was sitting In a tall-backeG chai-. az
making his first shy speech :
Dorothy jefferson in the colonia
kitchen.
Hetty shrauk back into the win
and pressed her hot cheek against tn
boards. Her pretty dark eyos wen
half shut She heard and saw moth
ing
IL has come-it has comel'' sh
kept saying TO herself, blissiully. Yes
now that II had come she realized no,
much she had wanted it. and admitte
Il 10 herself bravely. ~
She had not known him long, but
We'll, there was no use IN trying TO ex
plain III sho was happy. that was al
--happier than anybody elCe alive. sh
was certain. unless il was John.
n "Aln't she a daisy. thought" some
body was saying just behind her. in
nepulchral whisper. necessary nos
that the play had begun.
It was Chauncey Dean aud Bell
Bonnoti as Mr.. and Mrs Jefferson
respectively. ili
lIeliy looked around a. them, still
da2edlp