San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-15

ances. Even Charles, who had estab-
lished Evelyn on chair in the wings at
the side she had to come on from, and
was now drinking champagne with due
regard to his paint-even Charles owned
to being nervous.
II wish to goodness Mrs. Wright
would begin" he said. "Ah! there she
goesr as she assembled the stage steps.
There goes the bell. We are in for it
now. She starts, and come on next.
Up goes the curtain. Where the devil
has my book got tor
In another moment he was in the
wings intent on his part; then saw him
throw down his book and go jauntily
forward. A moment more and there
was thunder of applause All the act
ors looked at each other and smiled a
| feeble smile.
"He will do" said Gen. Marston, the
Indian officer, who, now in the dress of
an old fashioned livery servant, proceed
ed to mount the steps. 1t dawned upon
me that l was missing the play, and
hurried back to find Charles CONFUSING
the audience with the utmost GOODNESS,
and evidently enjoying himself exceed
ingly. Then Evelyn came OH But
who cares to read a description of a
play? 1t is sufficient to say that Aurelia
looked charming, and many were the
whispered comments on her magnificent
jewels; but ON the stage Evelyn sur
passed her as much as Aurelia surpassed
Evelyn off it.
Ralph and Carr did well, but Charles
was the favorite with every one, from
the Duchess of Crushington in the front
seat to the scullery maid ON the stair
case. He was so bold, so wicked, so in
sinuating, in his plumed cap and short
cloak, SO elegantly refined when he
wiped his sword upon his seconds hand
lerchief. He took every ones heart by
storm. Ralph, who represented all
the virtues, with rather thick ankles
and false mustache, was nowhere.
When the curtain fell for the last time,
amid great and continued applause, the
''heavy mother" Ralph, Aurelia-all
were well received as they passed before
it; but Charles, who appeared last, was
the hero of the evening.
He is engaged 10 his cousin. Miss
Derrick, isn't he?'' said lady near me in
a loud whisper to a friend.
"Hush! No. Charles can't marry.
Head over ears in debt. They say she is
attached to one of her cousins, but l for
get which. am not sure it was not the
other one"
Then it is the second son who is GO
ing to be married, is it? | know heard
something about one of them being en-
gagged"
Yes, the second son is engaged to
that good looking girl in diamonds who
acted Florence Mordaunt. A lot of
money, believe, but not much in the
way of family. Grandfather sold mouse
traps in Birmingham, so people say"
"She looks like it,, replied the other,
who had daughters out, and could not
afford to let any praise of other girls
pass. mo breeding or refinement; and
she will be stout later, you will see."
The play being over a general move
ment now set in toward the drawing
room, where the band was already in
stalled and making its presence known
by an inspiring waltz tune. In few
moments twenty, thirty, forty couples
were swaying to the music. Aurelia in
her acting costume was dancing away
with Ralph in his red stockings; Carr
with the "heavy mother" and Charles
in prosaic evening dress was flying past
with Evelyn, who, now that she had eff
faced her beautiful stage complexion,
looked pale and grave as ever.
suppose it was capital ball Every
one seemed to enjoy it. l did not dance
myself, but I liked watching the others;
and after a time Charles, who had been
dancing indefatigably with two school
room girls with pigtails, came and flung
himself down on the other half of the
ottoman on which was sitting.
Three times with each, he said, in a
voice of extreme exhaustion. No ia
voritism. l have done for tonight
now"
what! Are yQS not going to dance
any more?'
mo, not unless Evelyn will give me
another turn later, which she probably
won't. There she goes with Lord Break
water again. How l do dislike that
young man! And look at Carr! Waiting
with Aurela! He seems to be leaping
on her feet a good deal, and she looks
as if she were telling him so, does not
she? There, they have subsidized into the
bay window. l thought she would not
stand it long. He does not dance as well
as he acts Heigh-ho! Come in to sup