Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-11-23
DIETS rnaJ NINE. - mad taken her
physicians advice and would spend a


twelvemonth in southern Europe.
1t was more than year, however, be-
sere saw upon the walls of the finest
theatre in the city the am ouncement of
Mime. IS temperance. She was to
play her favorite role, and the papers
were full of paragraphs concerning her.
She was, they said, handsq mer, in better
voice, and altogether m pre- charming
than ever.
Seats at the theatre where she was to
appear were sold three weeks in advance,
and at fancy prices.
AS had my fortune yet to make felt
that it was somewhat eXtrnvagant to at
tend on the first night, but l did SO,
nevertheless. 1t was an occasion of dress
coats and white ties.
The house was full of the most elegant
people in the city. The company was
fine, the music excellent.
The curtain rose upon tn : unimportant
characters who always usher in play,
and finally the door at the back of the
stage was flung open by q servant, and
Nine. - entered. A roar of applause
greeted her. The papers were right.
She was handsomer than ever. Her role
was one to call forth all her art. She did
not fail.
As the play proceeded noticed, how
ever, that she occasionally glanced in the
direction of one of the side scenes In
way did not like. And Us the curtain
rose upon the last act there seemed to
me longer wait than usual at the time
when she should have entered; however,
she came.
She advanced to the footlights. The
part she played placed her in that scene
in the midst of bowling mob, who
threatened her.
She turned and faced them. They
flourished weapons in the air. She adj
dressed them, her tall form drawn to its
full height. My memory Of the play was
that at this moment succor arrived, but
it occurred to me that the scene was
changed. From the midst Of the mob
strange, wild figure rushed forth. l saw
it but for moment. 1t threw back the
collar of its coat and revealed red cash
across its throat and flung out its hand
toward her. saw it but for q moment,
wondering what connection it had with
the play. Then l saw Nine. - fall
forward on her face.
The curtain fell. The house was in al
uproar of excitement. a moment after
q call was made for doctor. Twas the
first to answer it.
y little group of physicians gathered
about the beautiful form that they had
lifted to sofa; but we saw at glance
that we looked upon 4 dead woman.
For my part horror beyond that
which sudden death inspires possessed
me.
"Did YOU notice the moment at which
she fell:' asked q prominent physician
who stood near me and whom 1 knew
we'll.
Eyes" said lie, ''as she spoke the last
words of her defiance Her friends were
about to appear"
"Ifancied one of the populace-the one
who touched her, who had blood upon
him-frightened her." l said.
ooh, no one touched her, my dear fell
low" he said There is nothing of the
sort in the play. She awed them By her
manner, you know. Good heavens, what
a sad thing this isl
at is horrible" answered.
think so still. No one but myself
had seen the man with the blood upon
his throat unless she did, and unless ali
that am bound as a medical man to
disbelieve is true there are such things
as ghosts.-oIary Kyle Dallas in Fireside
Companion.