The record-union., 1892-11-05
MRS. LYLE'O SFRATAGEM.

tulAhs OeTFy. O6dT,' sSilN MIS- Iy 10,
rising from the shadow of great red
rock, "pH run up to the comprehensive
Gundry and fetch our letters. Would
you care to come with me?"
Gerald Lyle gave yawn, and looked
up at his wife with an air of pathetic pro-
test. He was very lazy, and the shade Of
the rock was infinitely grateful to the
toil-wearied Londoner. Mrs. Lyle there
fore smiled the smile of the superior per-
son who does things and tripped of un-
escorted.
Mr.. Gerald Lyle, the famous actor and
present manager of the Piccadilly Thea
ter, had the previous day brought his
young wife down from London to the
little South Coast watering place, Cry
than. They had originally intended to
patronize some more fashionable resort,
and had only changed their plans at the
last moment. Thus, being uncertain as
To their future address for they had not
yet engaged rooms), they left orders that
their letters should be forwarded to Mr..
Gundry, the stationer on the Parade.
livery body who visits Crytham knows
Gundry. He is librarian, the enterprls-
Ing lmpressario who runs the music nail;
The local guide-book Is the product OF his
SAAbIA pen. lAuS II NdS ~ NhA4OAg
library that Efhe Lyle bent her steps.
Gerald Lyle watched the retreatlng fig
ure OF his wife with honest pride. And
We'll might he. A handsomer brighter
girl was not to be seen at the most crowd
ed church parade. She was a dark
haired, browneyed, olive-skinned bru-
nette, with quick, VIvaclOus ways and
ready wit. Unlike the wives Of most
actors, she had not been in any way con-
nected with the stage. Indeed, she had
never been inside theater until after her
marriage with Gerald Lyle. They had
met III a country house some three years
before. The young girl had fallen in
love with the clever, intellectual man
whose mobile face reflected the keen re-
ceptive- brain. And he, too, had been
equally fascinated by the simple, unat-
tected girl. SO they were married, greatly
against her friends wishes, for, you see,
they knew what those play-actor fell
lows were, don't you Know" and proph-
esled all sorts OF disaster. AS yet, how
ever, their gloomy tOTebodings had not
been realized. For the Lyles were as
happy as the day was long. She was
proud of him, his talent, his well-earned
popularity, and he valued, above all
things the sweet, tender woman at his
own tireside. Scarcely a day passed but
he contrasted with a thankful heart his
refined and happy home with the con-
stant whirl OF his professional life. For
truly might he have echoed the beautiful
apothegn of Canning's that when he
crossed the threshold OF his home he left
all his cares behind him.
In a few minutes Mrs. Lyle returned
and having handed her husband packet
ofletters, some from the theater and some
from home, commenced reading her own
correspondence.
''Well, dear, and from whom have you
heard?" said Mrs. Lyle, after she had read
her last letter.
'Oh, the usual thing" said her hus-
band wearily, as he opened his letters
with the deliberation engendered by a
very hot day and an exceedingly good
cigar. Here's the last statement of re-
ceIpts at the 'Piccadilly'-very satisfac-
tory. a letter from Hubbard, the dra-
matist, about the last act ef the new play.
Then Hullo! what's this?
"'Just line, dear, to ask YOU to come
and see my new frock tried on
why, that must be for you, Efie," he
exclaimed, glancing at the signature
ou must have mixed it up with mine
by mistake. a letter from an Ameri-
can dramatist. And-well, that's about
ALL
But what is that letter you are putting
in your pocket" said Mrs. Lyle, as she
observed her husband gently secreung a
letter he had just opened, and which GER
tainly did not look like a business com
municatlon.
,,'Oh, that" said Lyle, ''1s just a theatri-
cal note' Letter to me in my professional
capacity, don't you know"
May | see it, dear?''
Il don't think it would interest Won
in the slightest" replied her husband
blandidly.
But / wish to see it,, replied Mrs.
Lyle petulantly, piqued at the unusual
obduracy on the part of her doting hus-
band.
Very well. dear" said Gerald. with
resignation, you can see it if you like.
but must tell you frankly it is from
woman
"A woman! What woman?"
Heaven only knows. You know.
Effie, there are a lot of silly, light-headed
women in London who write to actors.
lf-well-if they're at all good looking"
Love letters, Gerald? How funnyI''
replied Mrs. Lyle, with little LAUGH
that certainly did not suggest hilarity.
Il should so like to see the sort OF thing
you get"
The actor shrugged his shoulders and
tossed her the letter.
Mrs Lyle gave cry, in which surprise
and resentment were curiously mingled;
and well might she, for the letter ran
thus:
DEAREST MIR. LYLE: l saw you look Mt me
on Monday night. l was in the second boxon
the LETT and wore black dress with white
flowers in my bosom. And am | wrong in
thinking that your glances toward me were
not entirely devoid OF admiration? 10 YOU
ever walk in kensington Gardens. for [ snail
be under the trees south of the Round Pond
next Tuesday morning at 11:3O. l shall wear
black dress with gored sklrts-remember
gored sIirts-so you win easily recognize me
by that. Yours, devotedly, MAUDIE.
ooh, Gerald, and you get letters like
this?" cried Mrs. Lyle
Heaps OF them, my DEAR said Lyle
with refreshing candor. POSSIBLY twen-
ty a week in the season, when Pm play-
ing romantic part in picturesque cos
tune. Why, they strew the floor like
the leaves in Nallambrosa. Then. you
know, my leading lady-an admirable
actress-is not attractive, and that touches
the hearts of sympathetic womankind.
OF course l cannot help it. What am |
TO do? l can't put up a notice in the the
ater to the effect that ladies are earnestly
requested not to send amatory letters to
the lessee canI? So there's nothing to
be done but to destroy the letters unan-
swered. Besides" he added thought
fully, ''that kind OF woman generally
takes a box. And boxes each run from
two to four guineas.''
But what | want to know is this" said
Mrs. Lyle slowly; did you look at this
this woman?"
Not consciously, my dear. You see.
except during the limited occasions when
my back is turned to the audience, must
look somewhere, and in a crowded house
my eyes are pretty sure to fall upon some
one"
possibly, Gerald, but that some one
might equally well be a man, nor need
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