The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-09-22

Behind the scenes the air was freighted
with fever. Everybody was whispering,
peeping, specializing except Tom, and
he leaned against one of the wings wait
ing. He could do no more. Opallike
CLEANS of excitement fickered in his
eyes, nervous tremors ran through his
blood, and behind an easy smile his teeth
were clinched. He could not breathe
freely until the first act was over.
Five minutes before the curtain went
up he peeped over the gasman's shoulder
and looked eagerly at the upper right
hand box. He saw Mr.. Kent first, stand
ing well in front leisurely surveying the
house through an opera glass as famil-
iarly as if boxes on first nights were
quite everyday matters. I
A little more in shadow sat Virginia
Tom scarcely knew her in the new gray
gown and the feathered hat with bent
rim. How pretty she wasl Happiness
was a tonic that had softened every
curve of her face. Her eyes, dilated to
u starry radiance, rested dreamily ON the
still undrawn curtain. Her cheeks were
burning pink.
A tenderness swept over his heart, and
the thought of all she was to him rose
triumphant above every other feeling.
| Was it not good to know that one in
that crowded house was thinking with
tenderness of him, not as the new dram
atist making bid for fame. but Just as
tom" whose every hope was at stalker
Perhaps as they went home he might
whisper those three words that hold i'm
prisoned in their small circle the har-
mony Of the world. He might tell her
in the crowded car, or for moment be-
fore parting in the hall. 1t mattered
not how or where if only he received in
a word the assurance of the belief that
she loved him.
The first few moments following the
tinkle Of the bell he never remembered
clearly. Save for the rustic Of the
prompter's book there was absolute ST.
lence behind the scenes. The house was
as still. On the hush voices swept to
him speaking the words he knew by
heart. The music commenced family
like the distant sob of waves-a swaying
melody painful and sweet Tom dared
to lift his eyes and watch the scene;
then by degrees the painful sense of
trepidation left him, for this was the
pregnant action he had dreamed of.
These were the words fire laden, scorch-
ing, living-the passion that had put
on the garb of reality-the humor, sweet,
surprising and irresistible. Sometimesa
gust of laughter swept over the house,
intermittent applause that showed crit
zeal appreciation, or dead, absorbed ST.
lences.
But when the curtain fell a sound
like thunderbolt leaped across the
footlights and made the scenery quake.
1t sank only to revive again, its clamor
swelling like storm at its culmina-
ton. All, then he seemed lifted up. The
sound made him sick with delight His
hour had struck.
The players stood around him, a flush
ed, triumphant group.
'Tt's CO."
ga hit"
event swimmingly. Every line told.
! never played to a warmer house."
Words like these and the persistent
applause followed him down the mar
row passage to the street. He wanted
to feel alone for a little while the rap
ture of triumph. They lied who said
that hope was a fallacy, life failure.
The world had widened and grown SO
fair. The years teemed with rosy pos
sibilities, mystic, reckoning. His heart
was full with rush Of joy.
It seemed to him there never was a
fairer night than this, which marked the
first important ascent in his life. Frost
glittered on the pavements like pale
dust. The rays Of the moon blanched
window panes into squares of pearl and
sketched the outlines of chimneys and
doorposts in fanciful black angles.
AS he strobe along his blood tingled
in the seductive confusion of dream
where passion and triumph walked hand
in hand. Virginia-he loved her sol She
was so necessary to him. He would make
up for all she suffered now. All, would
he not? 1t would be sweet to lavish
upon her the dainties and elegancies that
all women love. She should have done
with pinching and worry in that happy
time.
Wonderful visions these, which Tom
saw revealed in the moonlight. Stain
less, they buoyed his spirit and beckoned
him on.
When he reached the theater, the Sec
ond act was over. He felt little tired,
and his breath came fast, yet in his ex-
altation he was scarcely conscious of
having walked.
At the box Office the manager stood
chatting with some friends. A low,
thick laugh gurgled from his lips; his
face was radiant. Everything about
him told of crowded house and big box
Office receipts. He saw Tom and beck
oned to him.
"Shy, are your he asked, with a roll
licking wag of his head, an expanding
wave Of his white hands.
He was a large man, red faced, pale
haired, one who had always genuine
welcome for himself, and whose every
action was climatic. If he were only
offering a cigarette, he plunged into his
pocket with an air of mystery and
brought forth a triumphant surprise.
"You stole away from us all after
making the biggest hit I've seen in Is