The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-10-04


At the last rehear ais the play went
smoothly, inasmuch as all the actors
knew their parts. When the last re-
hearsal was over Lady Charlotte left the
dramatis persona with a weary sigh
She walked rapidly through the hall, and
seeing all of the rooms occupied, fed to
small room Of studious aspect, fitted
up with collsction of such solid and
classic literature as made Mr. Washing
ton Potts shudder. This, of more
private nature than the rest Of the sit
ting rooms, had been placed exclusively
at Lady CharIottes disposal as the most
distinguished guests. Like all Yankees,
AIR Potts rejeiced In pair Of pistols
manufactured with all the latest i'm
provements in deadliness. These were
kept on his library table In case, which
in itself was thing of beauty. Lady
Charlotte sat down near the table, and
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
passion, and for the things which only
wealth can purchase, and without which
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
be the most honorable finale; but
haven't the courage, am too great a
coward. Lady Charlotte put back the
pistol and pushed the case away
No, have not sufficient courage to
do it" And then came the voice of the
tempter, suggesting temporary escape
from her difficulties. The money for the
charity; there it was in her jewel case
The entertainment was in her patronage,
and ali the takings had been paid over
to her. There was sI20 in notes and
gold in her room; easy to appropriate
this and tell the astute Mr.. Potts that
the cost Of the production had swamped
4 the takings. In the triumph of success
he would be only too glad to give a
check to the vicar, and would say no
more about it. But then be might di-
vine the truth. and he was SO vulgar: it
would be SO dreadful TO be under an
obligation to man who out Yankeed
even the conventional Yankee of comic
drama
Expectation was on tiptoe ON the NOR
row. All the dramatis personse were
people Of more or less renown, demi-
celebrities, quasi literary men, pretty
wives Of celebrated artists, etc., etc.
And all were anxious to distinguish
themselves before an audience that had
paid so much for their seats that they
meant to be critical.
Early In the morning Lady CharIotte's
dresses arrived from 1Iessrs. Crunnp &
Crushit, and her maid came to inform
her that there was gentleman from
Messrs- Crump's, who said that his or
ders were that he was to see Lady Char
lotto before he left.
After a lengthy parley with the Bond
~-stfeet tailor's minion, who refused to
leave the house unpaid, Lady Charlotte
was fain to do that from the thought Of
which she had shrnnk yesterday. She
took go from the charity money and
paid and dismissed the tailor. Armed
with the stamped receipt, she returned
70 the sunny sitting room adjoining her
bed room. Through the window she
could see the preparations in progress
for the play. It was a sunny, cloudless
day Ia July. All nature looked glad.
presently Lady Charlotte must be look
ing glad and happy.
What fools we women of fashion
arel Why can't live on a few hundreds
year and be happy? But / can't,
.-<,.:t et<4,.ld H., H. .-..~t. 80