The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-18

looked into my face, realized that
the report In regard to the beauty In
the cast was not exaggerated.
In one corner was q little maiden in
robins egg blue satin, reading her
lines and devouring caramels with
equal earnestness, while near by a fat
young dude made up as an old village
innkeeper, with lady on each hand,
was struggling with new step for the
march. Near the stairs a young man
in a magnificent scarlet uniform was
rehearsing his part to a sweet little girl
robcd in black velvet and yellow satin,
while fitting from the dressing rooms
to the stage was u constant stream OF
excited, nervous, laughing amateurs,
looking for a lost bouquet, q missing
glove or a forgotten fan. Agorgeous,
beflOwcred, antique gown, surmounted
by an artistic black bonnet, partly
concealed one of the graceful amateurs
who was lamcnting 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.
l was bright enough to sec oil that
was going on, md l 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. IL seems to me he had i'm
proved his acquaintance with Miss
Swansdown very rapidly since their
first meeting in the studio And fam
cicd 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, ut least.
While Lake was drawing Miss
Swansdown, he was also carrying on
q lively conversation with Miss Car
son, charming, black eyed girl,
dressed in the Village beauty" style,
in which costume she was sufficiently
attractive to fascinate any onc-ex-
Cepting, perhaps, some of her own sex;
for I'm sure l heard Miss Swansdown
unfavorably criticise her becoming
attire.
Now, l make no pretcnse of great
depth-I'll acknowledge I'm shallow;
most of my observations arc on the
surface, but still I felt sure that itw
jealousy--yes, jealousy and pique-
that made Lake SO attentive to the
little black eyed Village beauty"
whenever Roberts was near Miss
Swansdown.
Suddenly 1 heard the ring of bell,
followed by a commanding voice; then
there was grand rush-yes, every
one, dudes, officers, Dircctoire cos
tuned gentlemen and maidcns 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 last years
fashion. However, I'm always treated
this way-the moment there is an ex-
element I'm forgotten, but l was
more than usually disappointed this
time, as had anticipated going into
the rear Of the stage where l could sec
the play. If Miss Swansdown had
only seen me, felt that / would not
have been thus neglected
Brown Lake himself had never seen
the whole play, though he had re-
hearsed parts OF it many times.
For n fcw moments there was Il
great hustling of feet over my head,
and half suppressed, excited talking;
then again tho commanding voice,
next tho ring of @ bell, tho orchcstra
opened fire, tho curtain rolled up and
tho play began.
But my loneliness was not Of long
duration; down cauo Lake. 1 read
his face ct . glancc-hc was not yell
low; hc vyc5 white, but it was jcal-
ousy.
Now, according 30 all tho heroes in
stories, he should have bit his lip till
drops Of goro 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 n man that was
very angry at something, and, above
all, he should have talked aloud; then
I should have learned tho cause of
it all.
But lie did nothing OF the kind Hc
simply walked to the Tire, bit q lead
pencil into small pieces, then, his eyes
falling on me, ho snatched mo up, feel
ing surc of meeting q friendly face.
l noticed his hand trembled as, looking
mo straight in tho eye, I heard him
mutter, cam l fool2" Tho room
filed again us the curtain dropped on
the first cct
Miss Swansdown and Lake were
soon deep III an animated conversation.
l heard his jealousy was caused by tho
first sceno in tho play, when Roberts
is supposed to meet Miss Swansdown
in q garden--a garden made resplend-
ent by tho shopworn verduro Of elk
potted plants, u canvas back stono
wall and graceful card board vines.
Here tho noble knight in modern
dress suit kisses the hand of the lovely
maiden, which part Miss Swansdown,
iii her artistic antique garb, filled with
ease.
This was the scene which caused the
scene that was now going on between
Miss Swansdown and Mr.. Lake. Tho
former was opening her big brown
s-~. am u an.