Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-03-16

be an open ar performance for the pur-
pose of raising money for LEGAL charity,
} that fauteuils would be three guineas,
that - family ticket to admit three
would be five glineas, that a special
train would leave Paddington. and
that two or three dozen Of the more
distinguished spectators would be enter
tanned at luncheon By the master Of Rem
INSTALL Abbey.
Lady Charlotte had the disposal Of the
tickets, and within few days OF the an
nouncement of the performance ths
greater number of seats had been taken.
The charge was so high people who
thought ten shillings and sixpence dear
for stall at the Lycsum. felt sure the
performance, although amateur, must
be really worth seeing, and people not In
society rushed at the bait, and a very
few In society and few on the i'm
mediate outskirts received compE-
mentary tickets and were invited to the
/ luncheon
a play Of the Eliz2bethan era was IN
earthed and clothed in chaste modern
garb by q penniiess and sristocratic
younger son, who affected long hair,
weird garments and a literary turn OF
mind, and made a little money and a
great repute in his own family by con-
tributing paragraphs 70 weekly papers,
and who annually wrote n very weak
and mystic novel. devoured BY a class of
readers with an appetite for anything
written by an honorable, baronvt, or lady
Of title.
At the last rehearsals tho play went
smoothly, inasnuch as al the actors
knew their parts When the last re-
hearSal was over Lady Charlotte left the
dramatis persona with 4 weary sigh.
She walked rapidly through the hall. and
seeing all Of the rooms occupied, fed 10
a small room Of studious aspect, fitted
up with a collection Of such solid and
classic literature as made Mr.. Washing
ton Potts shudder. This, Of a more
private nature than the rest OF the sit
ting rooms, had been placed exclusively
at Lady Charlotte's disposal as the most
distinguished guests. Like all Yankees,
Mr.. Potts rejOiced in a pair Of pistols
manufactured with all the latest i'm
provemeniS in dcadliness. These were
kept on his library table in n case. which
in itself was a thing Of beauty. Lady
Charlotte sat down near the table, and
I drew the case towards her. She thought
Of her difficulties, of her endless strug-
/ giles with insolvency and of the taste for
luxury. which she felt to be her ruling
I passion, and for the things which only
wealth can purchase. and without which
1 she felt that for her life would always be
uncomfortable, and she opened the inlaid
/ case and took out one of the glittering
weapons. Perhaps, after ALL this would
I be the most honorable finale; bat
haven't the courage, am too great
! coward" Lady Charlotte put back the
I pistol and pushed the case away.
'No, / have not sufficient courage to
/ do it." Aud then came the voice Of the
/ tenpter. suggesting a temporary escape
/ from her difficulties. The money for the
! charity; there 80 was in her jewel case
4 The entertainment was in her patronage,
I and al the takings had been paid over
to her. There was e120 in notes and
i gold in her room; easy 20 appropriate
I this and tell the astute Mr.. Potts that
the cost Of the production had swamped
the takings. In the triumph Of success
he would be only too glad 10 give a
check to the vicar, and would say no
more about il. But then be might d.
vine the truth, and he was so vulgar: IL
would be so dreadful to be under an
/ obligation 10 a man who out-Y ankeed
/ even the conventional Yankee Of comic
| drama
Expectation was on tiptos on the NOR
row. All the dramstis PERSONS were
T people Of more or less renown. demi-
celebrities, quasi literary men, pretty
wives of celebrated artists, eto., etc.
And all were anxious 20 distinguish
/ Themselves before an audience thar had
| paid 50 much for their seats that they
meant 10 be critical
Ea..ly in the morning Lady Charlotte's
dresses arrived from Messrs. Cunp &
Crushit, and her maid came 10 inform
her that there was q gentleman from
Messrs. Crump's, who said that his or
ders werothat he was 20 SEQ Lady Char
iotte before he left
After a lengthy pariey with the Bond
street tailOr's miIiion, who refused 10
leave tho house unpaid. LAdy Charlotte
was fain 70 do that FROM the thought q
which she had sbTunk yesterday. she
took go from the charity money and
paid and dismissed the tailor. ARMED
with the stamped receipt. che returned
70 the sunny sitting room adjoining her
bed room. Through the window shs
could see the preparations IN progress
for the play. IL vas sunny. clOudlesa
day in July. All nature looked Eiad.
presently Lady Charlotte must 10 look
ing glad and happy.
What fools wo women II fashion
arei Why can't live on a few hundreds
year and be hsppy3 Bus can't,
cant. ] should literally pine snyThers
except Ia house in Mayfair dugiag tbs
season ] don't set 80 much store -
many ladies' do on dress. hut ! never
could - happy IN q dFesz made By a go
ond rate tailor. despite myself for
accepting Hospitality frOa this vulgar
American, tut ny ovu folly. my ex-
travagance, Eas made i DecassarY.
wonder II there are any peopls coming
70 80 this play who feel a. wretcissd ~
! de- Lady Charlotte wsnt into Der
dressing room and Iooked searchinEiy as
her rejection IN the giass, slss wo1asrsd
II IN ungJlarded moments shagvsT Leozsd
81 wrstcEed as shs felt hha sgni3ed AZ
the rejection and ruOys9 hcr iif.a Ia 3
polite Esurmur. yes. I cnu usfi Boak
happy, though cant feel - And tbat
money have taken 70 pay thar v-retra-