Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-02-25

W accompany I'LL ny OhO oOAOOo W
Chalmers Theater, where there was
to be a benefit performance that
afternoon.
1 have always been more 1r less a
Bohemian, and the idea of walking up
the Strand in company with Gilbert
TreadweIl had no embarrassment for
me-
Furthermore, 1 understood my
obligations, and we pushed in the
well-kRown yellow doors and then
pushed them out again before We
turned into the foyer Of the play
house.
who is the beneficiary" / asked
casually, when we had gained our
seats.
'-One of the noblest little women
that ever lived" he answered warm
ly Ramona Darling. You know
of her, Of course She was rarely
talented, but sickness and desertion
by the man whom she loved has re-
duced her to absolute poverty"
almost felt personal gratitude
to those sympathetic artists who had
volunteered to give their time and
talents toward the benevolent pro-
iect of relieving her distress
But the tickle, thoughtless public
unfortunately, had not shown the in
terest in Ramona Darling's case
which it was expected it would, and
as result the audience was not only
small, but was composed in greater
part of 'tdeadheads," like Treadwell
and myself.
This incensed the tragedian greatly.
The funniest things that we're said
and done on the stage only deepened
his gloom. It was evident he not
only disapproved of the audience, but
Of the acting as well.
Just before the curtain went down
on the final scene, Mr.. Chalmers, the
manager of the theater and the Or
ganizer Of the benefit, appeared on
the stage.
II am very sorry to say" he an
nounced, that the proceeds of this
benefit amount to trife less than
$3.50. And this sum, 1 fear, will be
required to pay the expenses of a
funeral. / have just heard that
Ramona Darling dying"
AS Treadwell and / went slowly
out of the theater, l fancied he
brushed tear from his eve.
"If you'll pay the bus fare, Felix"
he said in strained voice, "we'll 60
uptown to her house. [ didn't know
she was so had as that. / want to
see her once more more before she
goes"
[ was quiet sufficiently interested
in Ramona Darling to cordially agree
with his plan to visit her, and in a
few minutes we found ourselves ring
ing at her door.
We were conducted up two flights
Of stairs and shown unceremoniously
into dim, dull room, where the one
time popular little favorite lay white
and still upon a by no means luxuri-
Gus bed. Everything about the place
betokened poverty and suffering.
She was attended only by a stupid
looking German girl, who Withdrew
as we entered. A child, a sunny
haired girl Of five, was kneelins
pathetically by the bed, clasping the
white hand of the dying woman, and
hiding her face in the covers.
The woman opened her eyes YEARLY.
and a CLEAN of pleasure shot into
them as she recognized TreadweIl.
colbert" she murmured family,
with a great effort holding up her
hand to him.
He bent and kissed the hand, and
grOaned as he sank down on chair
beside the bed.
ramona" he said, TREMENDOUSLY,
81 never thought it would come to
this 1t is not your fault, l know"
He smoothed back the fine hair
from her forehead with a touch as
tender as a ministering angels, and
the tears trickled down his cheeks
upon the white pillow.
1.-THE benefit was a success" he
went on with spontaneous perjury,
''there will be plenty of money now
to provide for all your needs You
will be quite well in a week. II
wanted to see you, and this is my
friend, Mr.. Felix, who used tofwrite
pleasant things about you in the Age.
I am sure you will be well in week.
Ramona"
Mono" she responded, 81 am
dying Gilbert; oh, God, 1 am dying.
colbert" she said, presently, '.you
loved me once"
He looked up at nue. and said. half
apologetically, Eyes, I loved her
once"
Then ne fell on his knees beside
the bed and continued, brokingly, 81
love you now"
He seemed to me like a new order
of Othello as he knelt there, grief
stricken, unnamed, touched to the
heart by this unwonted spectacle of
the woman he worshipped. bending
to catch the last words that fell from
her fiuttering lips He was a ira
gedian in earnest for once.
81 want you to take her, my little
Dollie," she went on. Take her and |
see that she is cared for. She is my
only one-mine and-his / can trust |
you. Gilbert She is all / have, and