The morning call., 1890-07-07
BEHIND THE SCENES.
BY THE AUTHOR OF BLACK BRAMwELL."
GORDON GRANT," ETC.

IGs;F2ELL, is the rehearsal to go on OF
GREFE9 not?" demanded the long suffering
ebfSEAN manager, in tones of desperate ap-
'A@ peal that had not the slightest eff
feet on the refractory member OF his COM
pany VINO had stopped the rehearsal, and,
sitting on crimson couch, was gazing
dreamily at the empty tiers of boxes, ap-
pareutly in peaceful reyerie; a lace hand
kerchief torn to ribbons was the only sign
of passion remaining; the exquisite face
that few moments ago had been blazing
with wrath was now serene; the large blue
eyes had the guileless pensiveness of a
child the mouth, no longer curled in fierce
disdain, was tender, half sad the leading
lady, queen Of living condolences, and
fully aware of her own Importance, was to
all seeming in the seventh heaven OF medi-
tation, lifted above all things of earth.
She could afford to be tyrannical; the
public worshipped her, and she had made
the fortune of lessee and manager. They
bore her capriceS meekly, knowing well
that score Of rivals at home and abroad
would be only too eager to secure her serv-
ices at any cost. TO get into her good
graces was a very hard matter, but once
there you stayed; submit to her RACES and
she would beg your pardon after so Sweetly
that you would long for renewal Of wrath.
Even cool, cautious critics lost their heads
over this most charming of actresses, mos t
delightfully."- fascinating of women. The
company grew accustomed to her little ways,
and the masculnes OF it liked to be ordered
about and trampled upon by one of the
handsomest women of the day; the FEM
mines did not object when they learned
her SURPRISING generosity. She had always
had her own way from childhood upward,
and so had grown used to making slaves of
people; give her that own way and she was
simply angelica sincere friend, bene-
factress when possible. Most people liked
the fair despot, many loved her.
The very first person who opposed her,
who did not give his neck to be trampled
on, was young poet and would-be drama
fist, lately come into the literary world.
Miss Catherine Kyrle had taken violent
dislike to him, and she was too honest TO
dssemble in real life. One night, being in
very bad temper, she mad boxed the man
ayers ears, and the. witness of this digni
fed and lady-lke action was a pale young
man with cold, proud face, delicate in ap-
pearance, dignified in manner, and she had
seen his expression Of disapprOval. not to
say disgust. 1t Is hard to like person who
has seen us at disadvantage, and ever
after that little incident she had regarded
Mr. Adrian Fyatt, poet, as mortal foe.
There was an air of quiet superiority about
him that she found very irritating, He
was reputed a proud man, having few
friends, and keeping himself very much to
himself. He did not court the actress
favor, nor tlatter, nor conciliate her.
Catherine was often indignant with her.
self for caring what his opinion; might be,
and frequently told her mirrored reflection
that she hated him.
One of her most devoted slaves and ad-
mirerS was Cosmo Hunt, dramatic critic,
and one who usually wrote with pen
dipped in verjuice. BE had told her a few
things about this young Lord Concelt, alias
Adrian Fyatt, which made her by no means
admire the poet in private life. Selfshness
and aYarice Catherine abhorred, and Hunt
told her that the nOht known in l.
istic and other circles as the Miser and
spent every farthing of his income on HIM
self. So whenever Miss Kyrle could give
Mr.. Fyatt a rap across the knuckleS on
this score she did so, to be answered only
By scornful smile.
lie was too proud to ever invite any of
his confreres home and rumor said he lived
in the dome of st. Pauls. beyond the reach
of common mortals, and RECALLED himself on
lilies and champagne therein.
A short time ago Mr.. Berry, Miss Kyrle's
manager, had accepted drama by Adrian
Fyatt, which, having been read to the COM
pany and the parts allotted, was put in az
tive rehearsal, the author being frequently
present. He was the very first person who
Ventured--dared Ito criticize Miss Kyrle's
performance uDfavorably. She had GER
tainly gone through her part as carelessly
as possible; but all the same she did not
like to be told SO by this slender. pale gen.
tleman with the oval face and blue eyes,
over which the naughty lids dropped like
sheath
He attended many of the rehearsals and
there was generally little passage of arms
between him and the leading lady. To-day
it had been worse than usual. Miss kyrle
had headache and acted miserably; Mr.
Fyatt, not knowing of the headache, but
being fully alive to the fact that his play
would be produced tonight, had with some
vigor demonstrated with the lady, who left
out half her sentences, missed her cues and
made "a fearful hash" OF it. The result
was wordy warfare in which the poet de-
veloped new powers OF sarcasm and came
off victorious. He never lost his temper,
fact in itself provoking. Miss Kyrle would
have given much to make him angry. Com
pletely losing her own temper, she tossed
her part" cOntemptuously over the foot
lights, stamped across the stage, looked
daggers all round, and then became lost in
the transcendental and supreme whilst the
company and the manager stood meekly
about, waiting the recovery OF her COM
posture. One gentleman. sufficiently like
her to be recognized as her brother, had sat
down, and was perustng newspaper. The
author, after prolonged contemplation of
the lady, and An almost imperceptible shrug
of the shoulder, folded his arms, and waited
with the expression usually given in pic
lures to the soldier Of Herculaneum, until
the manager broke the silence with the
above-quoted question:.
l.
Fyatt, "if Miss Kyrle has sufficiently re-
covered FROM the effect of her late exer-
tlOns."
~ decline to 90 on" said Miss Kyrle, ad-
dressing the manager. refuse to appear
in that at all. do not choose to risk my
prestige"
"O6, come, come" said Berry, vaguely
and soothingly, "a leetle more anima-
Il say" exclaimed she, with a stamp,
"that l absolutely refuse to go on! Pro-
duce that mass of absurdities if you like.
but il you do you may leave my name out
of the bill l will not take the part at all.
You will be asking me to do comic opera
next, and of the two l should prefer it. l
am quite in earnest"
There was lengthy consultation be-
tween the author and the manager: then
Mr.. Fyatt, slightly flushing, rolled mass
OF MSS. together, tied them with unsteady
fingers, and turned to the company, ignor-
ing Miss Kyrle:
q have to thank you, ladies and gentle
men," he said, "for your courtesy aud pa
thence, on which l shall make no further
demands"
Then. bowling, he retired-the Fyatt went
forth.
Some time after this Mr.. Will Kyrle es-
corted his sister home, and congratulated
her on the days achievement.
Il should say you have nipped rising
genius in the bud, Kate-settled the hash Of
A. Y. Fyatt, ESQ.,"
Il can't bear him" she returned. con-
templating her angry face in the mirror
ana recalling the composed countenance
and figure Of the poet with the narcissus i'm
his coat. He is so fearfu!y conceited:
why, is more than l can understand,
Money, suppose"
Mr.. Kyrle laughed, drawing on his gloves.
and this odd laugh Was the only reply he
gave.
too"
Exactly; you are not a bit so. H'mi
But Hunt has poisoned your ear, Kate: he
prejudiced you against Fyatt from the first.
knowing the swest youth to be far gone In
love for you, and being afflicted with the
same disease himself, wanted no riyal.'
adrian Fyatt hates me as much as hate
him!"
perhaps so now that he has been behind
the scenes; but when he simply saw Won
from the stalls-ahP And shaking his
head with much expression the young actor
drew rose through his button-hoie and
strolled out.
Next morning the Footlights flor which
paper Cosmo Hunt was critic had the fol-
lnWiny aaenunt nf tho pr.ood;.u