Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-05-19
In A THEATER BOX.

By some strange accident or mischance Q
beautiful bunch of blood red, half opened
roses lay on one of the chairs. How they
were mislaid was "A mystery, and Derrick
Wayne put them out Of harms way on the
edge OF the box--he felt awkward with
flowers In his hands. For awhile he watched
the stage and listened to the sideplay OF
his friend Smiths voluble remarks, and
then he leaned forward to observe the audi
ence In the parquet. BY some motion OF
his coat sleeve one Of the large roses loosened
from the bunch, went flying downward, and
with idle curiosity he bent over to see It's
destination.
Probably with the objec: of assisting In
Derrick Wayne's Snndoing, the architect OF
the pretentious vtle theater had built the
lower tier Of boxes so that half their width
extended out beyond the upper ones. And
so il happened that Mr.. Wayne, handsome
and curious, looked down into the upturned
face OF young lady. OF courseit Is rather
unusual To have flowers drop into ones lap
at a theater, so the young lady was exousa-
BILE for looking up. But there was no excuse
for Mr.. Wayne's prolonged stare downward
beyond the fact that the face upturned was
a remarkably pretty one, with dark, lumi-
nous eyes. and that her attire was be-
witching creation, evidently straight from
Paris In a moment she withdrew her gaze
and settled back indifferently. twirling the
rose In her fingers. But Mr.. Wayne con-
tinued TO stare Mt the top Of her head.
You came here TO enjoy the stage" MD
Smith sententiously, mot 70 attract the
attention Of the whole house by breaking
your neck. What are you looking at, any
how'" relapsing irto curiosity.
Nothing in particular" Wayne answer
ed rather guiltily and viewed the stage
hard for IS minutes before he became rest
less again. An idea came to him suddenly
that pleased hm-if only Smith would not
observe him.
He gathered up the scattered flowers from
the plush railing and twisted them into
compact crimson bunch. He leaned forward
carelessly and then hesitated. She sat a.
before, only the rose was in her hair this
time.
1t had come 10 him that, romantic as 1t
seemed 20 him, the act be meditated would
appear IN different light to any one else
In the house who should chance to see him.
But the lights were low except on the stage,
and every one seemed absorbed In blond
hero who was in terrible straits. The bunch
OF roses was stealthily thrust out and poised
In the air a moment, "A mass OF fragrance;
then they dropped straight downward and
landed, ~ he had intended, in her lap.
He saw her give "A start, and for moment
she did not touch them, but finally she
picked them up and carried them to her
face. She did not look up at him, yet
Wayne felt satisfied. When the lights were
turned up at the close of the act, Smith re-
marked on his bearning face
II knew a theater was what you needed"
he said ''See how much better you feel"
Yes" answered Wayne promptly. "You
prescribed the right remedy, Smith, old
boy" He felt quite affect ionate toward
Smith.
During the last act cold water shock
went over Wayne. He had just remem-
bered that the theater would not last for
ever, and when it was over she would be
gone-where' He hastily looked down
again in real anxiety. Yes, she was still
there, which was a relief But she was
talking TO a gentleman who had moved
from the back of the box nearer her. He
had heavy dark hair. and his shirt front
CLEANED coldly up at Wayne, who sud
denly was conscious Of n strong animosity
toward heavy dark hair and polished starch.
What are you so glum aboutp inquired
Smith cheerfully, noticing his friends seri-
Gus face. Wayne felt inclined to pick Smith
up by the collar and toss him out of the box
also for being so happy, but refrained upon
reflection. He suddenly grew bright again
perhaps Smith could help him, as he had
way Of becoming acquainted In every
town he visited. So with great tact he
maneuvered the conversation around, until
at last he inquired:
'Oh, say, Smith, do you know the people
In the box below"
Smith accommodatingly looked down
ward, while Wayne waited anxiously.
Looks like-let me see-the man-oh,
yesp Smith said, breaking of his exasper-
atingly broken remarks "The lady with the
roses is Cecil Graham, and that fellow be-
side her With the black hair Is Mr.. Graham,
her husband. Cecil was q great catch q
year ago-she's a beauty yeti
But Wayne heard no more. He felt com
pletely nullifled. He had not dreamed she
was married. How lucky he had not told
Smith about the rosesl He felt very sub
dued and foolish and meekly made his
way out through the crowd behind little
Smith, who persisted in talking over his
shoulder to him. At the foot OF the foyer
stairs Smith exclaimed-and Wayne heard
him greet lady-Mrs. Graham.
She was prettier than ever face TO face,
and her great fur cloak enhanced her love
illness. Her husband stood beside her, and
Wayne was forced to admit that he was
nne looking In spite Of his instructive dis
like Then suddenly Wayne found him.
self presented to his heroine Of the evening
and was vouchsafed n gracious smile he
glanced at the roses abe carried, and BE-
thought she flushed slightly, but It might
have been mistake. Anyhow she did not
recognize him.
Good nightp she said, with a compre
hensive smile. The roses were a bluI
against her furs. Then the crowd surged
between them, and she was gone.
"Come along" said Smith. "You ac,
dazed."