Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-31
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CHAPTER TX.
written for the pispssch.I

out for walk with tear ana tremoilnR TEST
the newspapers had already increased our
fame and our mortihcation. Inc twlhght
az a cioudless autumn day was closing IN
upon the city, and the keen, braclng winds
which sweep over the American metropolis
from tho sea brought the color TO
our faces We walked down Broad
way. now quite deserted, in silence,
and "a we were passing Wailacks
Theatre Rayel stopped suddenly and
stood for moment looking into the
briehtly-liShtcd foyer. stepping IN, ne
cav what had attracted bis eye, for on an
easel lust inside the entrance was the por.
trait OF our woman. On q placard below
the picturo was the name Edna Bronson.
Our surprise was mingled with sad regret
At seeing ID playing a false part 10 serve
the ends Of an INSCRIPTIONS manager.
Perhaps she is here!" suddenly ex-
claimed Bayel.
That IS very unlikely" I answered,
bought tickets for the evening per-
Torrance, and we fastened home,
strangely elated, TO dress for the play.
Our seats were in one of the lower pros
cenium boxes and quite clearly exposed 10
the gaze of the thousan ds who filled the
theatre in winding rows ascending and re-
oeding TO the roof high above us, The gar;
ish decorations. the gay throng bedlZened
with Jewels sparkling in the hght, ana the
hundreds of fair faces and bright eyes
that were turned toward US presented
spectacle entirely new to hayel.
Shortly the curtain rose ana the
plav began. It's first scene was
counterfeit Of real stage life IN an Eng
lish theatre An important performance
Is impending and at the last moment ooth
The leading lady and her understudy are
III Tho fnauaupmnnt ia IN
aouAndarv. In the midst of its confusion
The STAGE carpenter suggests that he has
daughter who can play the part. when
this functiOnary came upon the scene my
interest in the play began 10 wax stronger.
Hester Chaffin's father had been stage
carpenter, and this turn n the scene
startled me not little after having lOuhu
our picture in the foyer.
Tho carpenter's suggestion is at first
treated with ridicule. He insists that she
has learned the part from witnessing the
rebearsals and urges the managers TO give
her a trial. The performance must begin
iu four hours or be postponed. 1t IS found
that the costumes prepared for the part
will fit the young lady. They consent TO
try her, the company is hastily summoheu
toeether for rehearsal, and the curtain falls
nm the first act, The audience waited i'm
patiently for il TO rise again and show what
fortune might have in store for the carpen-
ter's daughter. but of all that audience /
was probably the most impatient.
"Tbere is the Count" whispered Rayel,
directing INV attention to the opposite box
The diabolical little Frenchman was there
sure enough, sitting next to the rail ana
sweeping the audience with MS opera
glasses.
Soon the curtain was Iung up and the re-
bearsal began which was to test the powers
of the yenturesome young lady. Suddenly
abe appears at the rear of the stage dressed
for her part in EliZabethan costume. she
is greeted with loud applause and she
stands moment waiting for silence.
The lights have been turned DOWN
and | cannot see her face distinct
ly. Before the last ripple OF applause Is
Guieted she advances down the centre OF
tho stage and begins to speak her lines.
That voice What is there in 1t that thrills
me so strangely? When she ceases SPEAK.
ing she is standing almost within reach. OF
nv hand. Suddenly her eyes meet mine
and | see Hester Chatfin standing there on
the stage and looking into my race. She
recognizes me, for she seems confused ana
proceeds with evident embarrassment
turned to Rayel-he, too, was deeply
moved by this great surprise;
Our woman has come TO llte," said be,
in tremulous whispers. &" l knew we would
see her some time" 49,.
HOW She had changed! She was little
more than a child when / saw her last
now she was almost woman, Dut not
more beautiful than when babe her good
bv in the moonlight at her fathers gate
long long ago, il seemed to me now. Was
tbe scene had witnessed q passage IN her
own life since | had left Liverpool? At
the close of the act an usher carried my
card to her. Presently was summoned
TO one Of the corridors where lady was
waiting for me-.
tending her hand.
at is" responded.
~ have heard of you often. Miss Bron-
son is an old acquaintance OF yours whom
Won knew as Hester Chaiiin. Would you
like to see her 2"
II wish to see her tonight, if possible"
said |. -,
dress and wait for us until the perform
ance Is over? Hand this card to the night
clerk of the hotel and he will show you to
Seribbling a few words upon the card
she gave il TO me and hurried behind the
scenes.
Rayel and Immediately left the theatre
and walked to our apartments. The play
vonld soon be over and we had no time to
lose On the way home | noticed that he
Frequently turned about and peered
through the darkness as if expecting some
one TO join u. He said nothing, however,
md as | was 80 preoccupied by my own
thoughts l did not ask for whom he was
looking.
shall 1 not 90 with your he asked.
when we had reached home.
You had better wait up for me; shall
not be gone long," answered.
~ can walk back again when we get
there, or perhaps | can wait for you il the
hotel?n said he.
He was not vet accustomed to life in q
great city, and it did not seem wise either
to permit him 10 walk nome alone or to
wait for me in the hotel among strangers.
He did not seem quite content to stay,
however. and there was troubled express
sion on his face, which was new to 1t, and
which / could not put out of my mind
after | had left the house. The hotel
10 which | had been directed was
on Union Square. 1t was not far
from our apartments, and l intend
ed 10 walk there, but i had not gone half
block before the street was lit up with q
vivid flash of lightning, followed by deaf
ening thunder and the wind blew damp in
my face. hurried toward Third avenue,
intending 10 mount one of the horse cars
going down town, but suddenly fierce
gust Of wind swept over me, sowing great
drops OF rain along the pavement. Hook
ed about for cab. The street was de-
serted and so dark that | could see no.
thing except the gloomy rows of brown
stone that stood on either side. While !
was looking backward another flash of
lightning illumined the street. What man
was that coming in the distance? Was IT
Rayel? No, that was scarcely possible. |
had only caught a momentary glimpse
of him IN the quick fash. He was tall
and erect like Rayel and thought the hat
was bis. But my imagination must have
tricked me after oil. for nothing showed
clearly. / walked back few steps and
listened. / could hear no footsteps, but
then be might have. followed me and l
ought 10 be sure. So | called "Rayel !
Rayell" twice and waited for en- answer,
but could hear none. had not time to 60
back to our rooms, as Hester was un-
doubtedly waiting for me now aud Rayel
was certainly not the man had seen or he
would have answered me. SO l hurried
along without giving any further thought
20 my fears. But where was Third avenue 2
Its character was not then so sharply de-
fined as in these days Of elevated rail-
roads-perhaps had passed 1t. bad al
ready walked long distance and had not
yet recognized that thoroughfare. l could
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