Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-17


That is my vocation"
, He looked at his programme.
Eyes, l thought So" he continued;
you viii see on the stage tonight girl
was once engaged to-"
"You cut her when you cut the pro-
fessions'
''No, she cut me-for pair of dia-
mend earrings. think that fact had
quite as much az anything else to do
with the realizing sense of my dramatic
Deficiencies. All, but that was in the
long ago."
The iirst act then demanded their at
tention, and at its close Tom looked about
the house.
He directed the attention of Holbrook
to one of the boxes.
SIS that not Flora Ashgrove?"
Holbrook leyeled his opera glasses at
the box pointed out.
Eyes. No doubt of it, though her back
is turned to us. Who are the others in
the box:"
''Let me have the glasses" said Tom,
II can not make them out. Three men
and another woman. They sit in the
shadow. Stop, there is some one coming
from the box. Oh, it's Dick Witherspoon,
her cousin. That's all right, he'll come
back; he is going out for a Glove"
Somewhat strange to see the hand
some Flora at theatre at this time of
the year, commented Holbrook.
eyes, one would suppose she was at
Newport"
''She has been there, and came in on
some business with her uncle. The bust
ness must have detained her."
$50 it seems"
''She must have been in the city at the
time of the funeral"
"Whose?"
"Templeton's.
"Well, what of it?"
"What of it? Why, she didn't attend
it."
81 shouldn't suppose she would"
"You forget. l told you that she said
she was a relative-a remote relative, Of
Templeton."
'.True, so you did. 1t is strange, isn't
it?'
By this time the curtain went up on
the second act, and attention was again
concentrated on the stage. At its con-
clusion the lady in the box changed her
seat so that she could look over the
house. In time, as her eyes roamed over
the orchestra circle, they encountered
those of Holbrook She recognized him
and bowed-somewhat coldly, Holbrook
thought.
'Shau you go and speak to herr"
NO" said Holbrook. II don't know
what people 1 may meet there" The
fact was, while hardly conscious of it,
ever since his interview he had regarded
her with sort of repugnance.
81 think you make mistake"
perhaps. but / sha'n't go, all the
same"
You mustn't drop her acquaintance.
"That may be, but l don't think her
recognition was particularly encourag-
| ing. Have you noticed that she has not
looked our way once since?
Tom was not satisfied. Just what
! Holbrook was to do when he did see her,
he could not have suggested. When
Holbrook added that in small box,
with several about in close proximity,
she was not likely to engage iii con-
fidential conversation, he was compelled
to acquiesce. Still he thought Holbrook
should call on her.
Finally he said:
See here, Holbrook. You've seen
this opera before, and only care for the
music. Well, let us go upstairs. IN
doubtedly that party will go on the roof
after the performance. We can go up
there and hear the music as we'll as here
would like to get nearer view of the
people with her."
"To what purpose"
"Oh, who can tell? haven't any rea-
son or purpose. Instinct tells me to do
something"
Every well; Wen go"
They left their seats, and Holbrook
was conscious that Flora watched them
steadily as they went up the aisle. He
made sure of it at the door, when he
could do SO without being observed
Once upstairs they seated themselves
so that they could watch the elevator
DSiIiS StcH.
Il do not know what you are up to-"
complained Holbrook.
Neither do l." replied Tom with a
laugh. but the story of your interview
with the handsome Flora has made
deep impression. ! want to become
familiar with those about her. That's
ALL"
They lit cigars, smoked and listened to
the music until the curtain finally fell.
"Now, them" said Tom, lin few
minutes we'll know whether we have
deprived ourselves Of comfortable seats
during the third act for nothing"
Holbrook, who was in bad humor,
replied:
I'm sure we did. She won't go up
there; she would think it bad form"
bah! it's bad form, so her set would
say, to be seen at theatre at this time
of year, especially in the city"
Hush" he continued, there she goes
now" as the brightly lighted elevator
ghded up. Come, let US go up. No,
wait until they have had time to be
seated"
They waited moment or two, and |
then assembled the stairs to the roof. At !
first they did not see the party but care
fully proceeding they came upon them
partially hid behind large fir tree |
planted in a tub. They came upon them |