The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-14

lyn, are you pouring out some tea for
Mr.. Carr? Nature requires support be-
fore last rehearsal. May l introduce
you to my cousin, Miss Derrick
After Carr had also been introduced
to Aurelia, who, however, was still too
much absorbed in her tea gown to take
much notice of him, he seemed glad to
retreat to chair by Evelyn, who gave
him his tea and talked pleasantly to him.
you're not nervous, are you?" said,
taking him aside when tea was over.
"Only act half as well as you did on the
steamer and you will do capitally."
Eyes, am nervous" he replied, with
short, uneasy laugh. "It is enough to
make a fellow nervous to be set down
among lot Of people whom he has never
seen before-to act principal part, too.
/ had no idea it was going to be such a
grand affair or would not have come.
l only did it to please you"
Of course [ knew that and l tried to
reassure him, reminding him that the
audience would not be critical and how
grateful every one was to him for COM
ing.
Tell me who some of the people are,
will your" he went on. "Who is that
tall man with the fair mustache? He is
looking at us now"
''That is Charles, the eldest son." re-
piled; "and the shorter one, with the
pleasant face, near the window, is Ralph,
his younger brother"
THAT is a very good looking girl he is
talking to-" he remarked. 81 did not
catch her name"
'sHush!" said 'That is Miss Grant,
whom he is engaged to. They have just
had a little tiff and are making it up.
He does talk to her good deal. | have
noticed it myself. Such sweet Great
urer'
"Is she going to act?"
Eyes, replied. "They are going to
begin at once. You need not dress. It
is not dress rehearsal"
81 think will go and get my boots
off, though" said Carr. "Can you show
me where l ann"
Il am afraid you are not in the house
at all" said. ''The fact is-did not Sir
George tell you:" And then explained.
For moment his face FELL, but it
cleared instantly, though not before
had noticed it.
"You don't inind!' l said astonished.
You quite understand
"Of course, of course!' he interrupted.
81: is all right. 1 have a cold. that is
all; and l have to sing next week. l
shall do very well. Pray don't tell your
friends l have a cold. I am sure Sir
George is kindness itself, and it might
make him uneasy to think 1 was not in
his house."
The rehearsal now began, and in much
trepidation | waited to see Carr come
on. The moment he appeared all anxiety
vanished; the other actors were reas-
sured and acted their best. A few pas
sages had to be repeated, few positions
but it was obvious that Carr
could act, and act well, though curious
ly enough he looked less gentlelnanlike
and well bred when acting with Charles
than he had done when he was the best
among very mixed set on the steamer.
''Yon act beautifully, Mr.. CART" said
Aurelia, when it was over. Doesn't he,
Ralph?'
Doesn't he?" replied Ralph, hot but
good humored. 81 am sure, Carr, we
are most grateful to YOU"
$50 am l, said Charles. your death
agonies, Carr, are credit to human ma
ture. No great vulgar writings, with
legs all over the stage, like Denis; but
chaste, refined wriggle, and all was over.
1t is pleasure to kill man who dies in
such gentlemanlike manner: If only
Evelyn will keep /, little closer to me
when l am on my wicked, baronial
knees [ shall be quite happy. You hear,
Evelyn"
How you can joke at this moment"
said Evelyn, who looked pale and nerv-
BUS, II cannot think. don't believe |
shall be able to remember word when
It comes to the point"
s'Stage fever coming on already" said
Charles, in different tone. "Ah. it is
your first appearance, is it not? Go and
'est now, and you will be all right when
he time comes. have vision of a
great success, and call before the cur
AIN and bouquets and other delights.
only go and rest now" And he went to
light candle for her. He seemed very
for Evelyn.
1t was the signal for all of US to dis
,erse-the ladies to their rooms, the men
% the only retreat left to them, the
room. As Aurelia went up
tairs saw her beckon Ralph and whis
Yer to him:
Gam l really to wear them?'
'Wear what, my angel? The towels!
Why, good gracious, had quite forgot
en- them. Of course want you to wear
hem"
so do l, dreadfully," she replied,
With killing glance over the banisters.
Only, if am, you must bring them
Town in good time and put them on in the
l hope you have got them
safe
Safe as church, replied Ralph, for
citing that in these days the smile was
lot good one. Father has them in
us strong box. will ask him to get
hem out-at least all that could be
worm. and l will give them rub up be-
ore you wear them.
All, said Charles sadly, as we walked
p stairs, eff only l had known Sir
ohnw
CHAPTER VII