New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-25

Perhaps Mr.. Didley will get one Of the boys
to play the part" said Evelyn. Hasn't Ny.
BuCkner an understudy?"
why yes; Tommy Watson's been under
studying him. but he didn't come up. Dudley
let him off so s he could take the night train
for home. He lives out in some Collaboration
place in Ohio. one OF the other boys IS going
to double up in his place"
Just then the red head was thrust into the
room again.
AN right. ladies'" 1t cried "Didley's got some
swell chap from New-York to play the part He
was in front. Warn't it great luck. though?
Dldey's wild with Buckner. lie says he won't
take him back again next season.
A second time the head vanished and the door
banged
Il suppose | shall have to drag him through
the part. whoever he is" said Evelyn YEARLY.
perhaps he'll read It. Didley's probably in
front Of the curtain now explaining that Buck
ner has been seized with n sudden indispostion
and Mr.. Gerald De Montmorency. the well-known
and popular actor. has consented to take the
part. at a moments notice. and he begs the kind
indulgence of the audience and all that rot
As she spoke Madge thoughtfully surveyed her
left eyebrow in the glass.
THE performance will probably be delayed a
little while to give him chance to read over
the first act But he won't have to dress for IT,
Philip wears street clothes YOU know, in his
first scene. Besides. he doesn't come on till the
acts half over
The door was torn open. and the rel head APP
peared once more.
Everything ready for the first act. Miss Guern-
sey here's your duster. Better hustle. or DID
ley'll come swearln round here. He's wild The
new buffers rcadin' his part In the wings. Hos
a cool one. he is. Amt bit ratified. You'd
think he'd been playing the part all season"
Madge seized the dustcr and hustled out into
the corridor leading to the wings I'm going
to make a mash on the new Philip" she cried As
she closed the door behind her
Evelyn could hear fhc last strains Of the thin
but triumphant orchestra When these died
away there was silence Then a bell sounded. and
Madgc's laughter ripplci from the stage. In
few moments It would be time for her to 60 on.
She rose from her seat. pinned her large white
straw hat trimmed with red roses to her blond
wig. put a few def touches with her powder
puff on her face and stepped out into the cor
ridor The gasman was standing in his shire
sleeves at one Of the stage entrances. and on a
pile OF old scenery two Of the young mon who
had small parts were playing poker she coult
hear Didley's rough voice from one Of the drcs'-
Ing rooms he seemed 10 be denouncing some ole
with all the force OF his fluent profanity 'he
wondered where the substitute was. probably II /
some quiet place trying TO catch the drift Of fis
lines before going on Presently her cue was !
spoken. and. giving few final touches . her I
hair and one quick swish to her dress. shcmade /
her entrance a haf-dozen stray hands 'reeted
her.
Her first scenes dragged Who could LAY well
on such hot night ana before a h.ndiul "i
people? As the time approached FOR tb' entrance
Of Philip she looked into the wing 10 gee II
Buckner's substitute was there arr what ne |
looked like. She could distinguish ne dark out |
lines Of tall figure standing bchin'ihe gas man !
with his head bent low. probably 'ver a prompt |
book. Her business required hT 10 SIT az the |
front Of the stage. facing The Cadence before /
Philip entered: he supposed - come On /
without being heard and TO sta'd looking al her |
for a moment. When he spos She was 70 rise |
suddenly from her seat. and % recognizing him |
To cxclam "Philip"' and then To clutch tho back |
Of her chair convusively ans display agitation.
As she took her seat she gave PHILIP his cue
and heard him step swiftly to the stage AMI stop
within a few feet II her cluir. Something IN the |
manner Il his step REMINDED her of Seymour. and |
a picture Of Seymour stanlng with his SIX hat |
in one hand and his bavy stick In the other |
flashed into her mind. She recitel her spoquy |
long repetition had robbed It OF |
It's meaning for her gnl she used t. f.ol some |
times that the word, dropped from her lips "A |
II She were "A machine When she heard "Iinbcl"'
from BEHIND. she started inyolunarily: |
she did not have time to analyzc The sensation |
until. by force If habl'. she had gone through /
the regular business Of the part. only ;his time
,i,t :, r.l d.. Thu. /
stage AMI tho audience seemed 10 be whriing |
around for She saw that the man before her was
Harold Seymour.
He stood waiting for her 10 speak. After re-
covering from the shock OF meeting her lover.
Mabel AnncrB had - say with superb dsdain:
What bring, YOU here. sir" Philip was there
upon to burs, into eloquent plea for pardon
and an ardent declaration Of undyng affection:
then their quarrel would be made up and she
would fall into his arms Evelyn stood 50 long
without speaking that Seymour-he saw with
evident qualification that she was aeita;cd
whispered the speech TO her Then she reused
herself cnd went on with her part. Seymour,
who was quick study and whose lines had come
Dack TO him soon as he had read them over
.ouple Of times played with his old fire and
inish He had TIE facile. emotional tcmpera-
nent that makes good actors Of the romantic
choo. Every llne he spoke had peculiar sig
iincancc for both Of them. and he seemed 10 take
pleasure in his speeches. They caused Evelyn
pair which was exceeded only by the disgust
with which the lines inspired her The piece was
mere rubbish. made up ~ improbable sltua-
ions and ma wkish sentimcntalty. Evelyn had
leyer realized how bad II was until she played &
With Buckner. who brought out all the absur1ity
4 his part. which Seymour's finer art had con-
cale2.
However. she could not help being inspired by
he enthusiasm with which Seymour acted lie
ouscd he stimulated her; she forgot that the
light was hot. that the audience WAS bored. that
he herself was tagged. Then. too. she was de-
ermined to show him that she could be indifcr-
nj. that she had forgotten the past. that she
vas able TO ignore his conduct any con
emptble thing should be ignored. As she acted
er mind ran in two currents: one was the
bought Of the actress bent upon playing her