The herald., 1894-12-28
THEATER BOX FOUR

THEATER BOX FOUR
LIE monde est le livre des fernmes.-Rosseau
Away back in the seventies we were
touring in the midlands with the legiti
mate, and success had attended us thu.
far. We were booked at T. r. Trever
ton for six nights, and there opened
with "Hamlet'' on Monday to full
house.
During tho entr'acte / had time tc
glance round the theater and take stock
of the audience Tho pit and circle were
filled with respectable tradeslnen, arti
sans and others, while throng of the
proverbial irrepressible 'boys" were
perched like the sweet little cherub
that sits up aloft, in that region known
to the playgoers as .'the gods.
Only ono of the boxes was engaged
and this, No. a, ON the first tier. 1t wa.
occupied by a lady, elegantly dressed,
who, noticed, scrutinized me through
her pince nez and occasionally resorted
to pair of opera glasses
Whenever was ON the stage she had
her eyes on me, and it was matter Of
comment among the company that il
was only when appeared to recite the
lines set down for me that she appeared
to evince the slightest interest in the
niece.
However, nothing of note occurred.
70 curtain fell at the close of the play,
i =.
The following morning was chatting
Guy Tracey, the acting manager,
Il he remarked:
You've evidently caught on here.
1ow's that?" I hazarded.
The lady who occupied box has
n in this morning and booked it for
entire week.
She's evidently q devotee to the
IVAN"
so much the better, if she patron
ICES Thespis to this tune" observed
Tracey.
The subject then dropped, but at the
evening performance the mysterious
lady was at her post, as attentive lis
tener as ever.
On this occasion I took the opportu-
nifty of glancing at her from the stage.
She was decidedly handsome, but there
was weird, vacant look about her eyes
that was almost supernatural. Again
she centered her attentions on myself
and ignored the efforts of my confreres
Again tho badinage in the greenroom
waxed fast and furious.
AS I left the theater that night I
thought I perceived our fair patroness on
the opposite side of the road, but dis
missed the idea as preposterous.
Thursday was fixed for my benefit
and, as before, the lady was to be seen
in box 4.
''This is getting interesting" l
thought. Il wonder who the Mephis-
topheles she is?''
The call boy cut short further medita-
tions, and in few moments l was on
the stage.
Throughout the evening she watched
me closely and more than once applaud
ed vigorously. At the end of the play
was called" and she then hurled a
large bouquet at me.
The affair was growing interesting. /
acknowledged the compliment and re-
tired. l am bound to confess that be-
yond its small intrinsic value the bou-
quet possessed but few charms for me,
and meeting the lady who played Ophe-
liza | handed her the posy, remarking:
'Render to Cesar"
She took the floral Offering, and in
doing so dropped billet doux from be.
tween the buds to the stage.
'Fie!" exclaimed little Miss Chester.
Is it thus you value your souvenirs?"
l laughed, picked up the note and re-
tired. My toilet finished, l was just
leaving the dressing room when it oc-
Cured to me the note was still unread.
To unfold it was tho work of sec.
ond. 1t ran as follows:
HOTEL VICTORIA, TREvERToN.
"Box A. presents her compliments to the
benefciare, Mr.. -, and will be pleased to sec
him at supper this evening. BEBE.
This was embarrassing, but resolved
to carry it into effect, despite the scan
dial likely to arise from the circum-
stances.
Rushing home to my room, hastily
changed my coat for the conventional
abomination of evening dress. This
done, made my way to the Victoria,
arriving as the cathedral clock was
~.
Itwas evident my visit was anticipat-
I'd, as no sooner had / entered the hall
than n waiter uueried.
"Mr. ----? Yes, sir. Cold night, sir.
This way, sir. Room, 7. Mind the step.
ir. Skating tomorrow, sir. Mind the
tep."
l found The door of room open and
he lady herself standing by it, waiting
II apparently feverish eagerness 1t was
sry iattering.
She saluted me with:
"Ah, mon annie, you are little late,
mt forgive youP'
hesitated at the door; but, with q