Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-10-10
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TbQ Great Composite Novel.

was opened by Miss Neville, who gazed
at her manager in a startled way.
"Oh, Mr.. Opper, is it time to go on:
had no idea that I was late"
"You are not late. The curtain will
not go up for ten minutes yet, but this
dispatch just arrived and thought it
best to bring it to you at once"
The girls face turned deathly pale.
Let me have it," she gasped.
He handed her the little yellow packet.
She tore the envelope hurriedly, and it
needed but glance to master the con-
tents:
Come at once. Your father is dying.
"DR. WATSON"
She did not totter and fall, but like a
thoroughbred she held her queenly little
head up high and said, quite calmly:
81 am sorry to forfeit my engagement,
Mr. Opper," she said, 'but must leave
you now at once. Ny father is dying.
Read" and she held out the message to
him.
Hum, ah!" remarked Opper.
Much as he admired his fair attrac-
ton he did not like to lose the nights
money, even if he had already earned a
big purse through her.
Still, in the presence of death he
thought it best to throw up the sponge,
hoping by agreeing amiably to arrange
for her temperance later on.
In addition he had conceived a sincere
and fatherly interest in the lonely girl,
and so he submitted to the inevitable
and said quite cheerfully: "Well, sup
pose you must go, my dear. But there
is an awful big house. 1 don't know
what we can do. You must go alone, l
suppose. could not get away tonight,
and you would not wait until tomorrow.
How long has your father been in
Chicago?"
Il did not know he was there until l
received this telegram, which is sent
from there" she answered, as she began
to collect her few belongings.
well, wait minute" cried Opper,
suddenly rushing out.
He found jim Burns around in the
lobby of the theatre and quickly ex-
planned matters to him.
Il am going to close the house and re-
turn the money tonight, but l want to
get Miss Neville safely off first; and now,
Jim, you must follow her. Idon't know
why, but mistrust the telegram. Will
you go? Name your own terms"
"Tn CO." said Burns, "but must ex-
plain to the chief"
"There is no time. Leave that to me.
He'll refuse me nothing. Get cab and
have it at the side door. First let the
girl know you are following her. When
she gets in the cab, you have another one
ready and follow. A train goes in twen-
ty minutes"
THAT duck you told me to watch is
inside. You'd better not say where the
girl is going" said Burns.
81 WON'T" and with a hearty shaking
Of hands the men parted
Five minutes later, heavily yelled,
Louise Neville emerged from the stage
door and entered the cab awaiting her.
AS she drove off Burns got into another
cab, ordering the driver to follow the
first.
Meantime Opper was going through
the most difficult ordeal known to the
theatrical manager, that of trying to
account for the non-appearance of his
star.
Ladies' and gentlemen" he said,
glancing at the vast audience apprehen-
sively, Miss Neville cannot appear to-
night. Illness in her family. Her father
dying. Message from Chicago tonight"
Then he paused abruptly, remember
ing that he had given her destination
away, and glanced at the box occupied
by Henshall.
The latter had heard enough. He was
leaving his box like a flash, 50 the good
hearted manager concluded his apologies
with a rush, saying, "Sorry to disappoint
you, ladies and gentlemen, and sorry to
lose the door money, but it will be all
returned at the box office, and l hope
never to disappoint you again, and be-
ieve me your true and personal friend,
Opper."
Then he rushed off the stage, deter
mined to foil Henshall at all hazards.
"Ass! doltr' were the pet names he
called himself as he rushed out and
jumped into hack, commanding the
driver, "Union depot, triple fare"
AS he had surmised, Henshall was
driving the same way and just as fast in
another conveyance.
He did not know if his ideal woman
had already started for Chicago or not,
but he was bound to go there and find
her
he rushed into the depot and bought
ticket, and was told that train would
leave in two minutes.
He jumped aboard and rushed hastily
through the cars.
At last his heart gave a great jump
and then nearly stopped beating,
He saw her in forward car, her
shapely head resting in pathetic way
on one little gloved hand.
Then indeed Henshall lost his reason
and knew that the woman before him
was the woman he truly loved.
Forgetful alike of prudence and com
mon sense he walked rapidly toward
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