The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-07-25

1 ~ lAFLl i RI AAr-tA AAAl ~ ~
ished. bat his disappearance was ne
mystery, for the stage door Of the the
ater opened Oh this slley and guessed
rightly that il Was through this Whit.
ing had passed
I hurried forward and pushed the
door open sure enough Whiting
stood within a few paces Of me talking
with the door keeper; in moment he
went into the fheater. I felt certain
had not been perceived, - / too, enter
ed.
Good afternoon, I said, greeting
the sturdy Irishnan who confronted
me. "Mr. Whiting i on the stage, Is
he nOt?''
a.Shure and ne Il What might you
be wantin, wild him"
sI'm a member Of the company" /
began. .'and-1
The sound Of voices in alteration
reaching my ears at this moment, l
paused abruptly. and pushing past the
doorkeeper, hurried forward toward
the stage. Coming suddenly from
daylight into semi-gloom, my eyes
were blinded for a moment When /
could discern surrounding objects /
perceived truly dramatic picture.
Kenton was upon his knees, with
Writings hands upon his throat. Mr..
Whiting lay in a dead faint. Kenton
waz gasping and almost purple in the
face when rushed forward and, seiz-
ing Whiting from behind, dragged
him away by brute force.
Would you murder the man?n l
cried.
YES" shouted Whiting, with an
oath, "a I would rat l found him
here with my wife. Do you under
stand2 With my wife,
''Well, AT least give the fellow hear
ing" l said Perhaps they're re-
hearsing a soene.n Then. to divert his
attention. added, .'see, Mr.. Whiting
l. recovering
In another moment the unhappy
woman sat up and looked around A.
her eyes fell upon her husbands she
shuddered and buried her face in her
hands. I SAW Whiting tremhle under
the magnetic influence Of the dark
eves he loved - well. and believing il
would be best to leave husband and
wife together. took Kenton's arm and
dragged him away, for he was too
weak with terror TO walk, the cur.
When / got him outside | said
you sooundrelr' with a. much scorn
a / could put into my voice, and then
walked of and left him. He seemed
completely crushed, and did not open
his mouth.
began 10 wonder what we'd do for
a show that night With the three
principal characters out Of the cast, il
seemed A. though there was nothing
for il but 10 close the house-a great
pity, too, a. il was completely sold out.
I returned 10 the hotel and related a.
much Of the affair a. thought neces-
ssry to my brother professionals, and
we had a long talk over ways aud
means
Ia the midst Of our eonfab in walk
ed kenton. He seemed 10 have n
gained his assurance, and greeted IL a.
if nothing had happened The Others,
however, taking their cue from me,
treated him with contempt, and by
and by he went or III corner and be
gan 10 read a paper.
In the c1uTs. of Is minutes Whiting
H glanced around the
room a. though in search Of some one.
and catching sight Of Kenton, moved
in that direction The fellow spntng
up n though fearing an attack, but
Whiting called out loud enough for IL
all u hear:
shake hands, old man; my wife
has explained; ais fair in love and
waE."
Kenton hesitatcd, fearing some trick,
but finally took the proffered hand, at
which Whiting seemed much pleased.
Then our -star," usually the most
Of men, went to the har and
drank again and again.
Was simply paralyzed- l believed
Whiting had taken leave of his sen>es
and To this day / don't think he was
quite sane However that may be,
when I asked him whether perform
anee would take place that evening he
very promptly;
Certainly. Why Rot?"
OF course nothing more could be said
after that, but / still had my misgiv-
ings. went 10 the theater early. /
felt much upset by this business, to tell
the truth. As have before limited, /
was more than half in love with Mrs.
myself; hers was the source
Of beauty that irresistibly appeals 10
man. Il weIld have hurt me 20 see
her stoop to cad like Kenton, even
had she been free 10 d. -. Under the
il seemed harder t.
bear.
1t was shabby place enough behind
the scenes, and We were cramped for
room. | sal on three-legged stool in
the corner assigned me, unpacking NV
basket by the light OF q candle stuck
in bottle, when a soft voice PronOunc-
Ell my name. | turned with jump
that upset the stool and faced Mr..
She had been crying, bat
never saw her look - sweet and pret-
ty.
/ felt the color rush 10 my forehead:
for the first time in my life | didn't
know what to say To her. She soon
got me out Of that difficulty
Mr.. Jephson, you've always been a
good friend of mime Watch John to-
night. He has been drinking, and
and I'm afraid of him"
suppose looked al her oddly, for
her beautiful mouth quivered ike
baby's
''les, it serves me right; I've been a
foolish woman. but not wicked one.
If anything happens. remember I told
YOU %