Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-24

pieces and tho bottom would drop out
OF the whole play. thought I'd speak
to you about it because Hardup has
caught a new angel and said some
thing to me about Kitty Bracebridge''-
If that wolf puts her foot in this
theater - began Miss Livingstone, but
Mr.. Freelance interrupted her by plac-
ing his hand over her mouth and say
ing: wait for me after the curtain
goes down, Pearl, and I'll talk to you
about if. Shadrach's waiting in the
Office, and I've got to give him Jolly
so as to get the costumes out of him, but
I'll be back here after the last act
In spite Of the storm outside and the
dispiriting atmosphere within the per-
foTmance given that night by the Jollity
stock company Was notably brilliant
one, for the news had spread that there
was to be speedy change of bill, and
hope was once more in every member s
breast. Mr.. Freelance invited Miss Liv-
ingstone out to supper just as she was
on the point of declaring that she would
not go Gu again unless she received ev-
cry cent of the back salary that was due
her, and before they left the restaurant
she had meekly agreed to study the great
emotional role which had been intended
for Miss Bracebridge and to say nothing
more about back salary.
The next morning, in accordance with
call posted in the stage entrance, the
company assembled to herr the new
play read by the gifted Mr. Freelance,
and such was that gentleman's elocu-
tionary power that when he laid the
manuscript aside expressions that ranged
from mere satisfaction to rapturous en-
thusiasm were heard on every hand,
and there was scarcely an actor or
actress present that did not feel conf
dent of Il personal success in the new
production.
The reading over, Mr.. Freelance took
Miss Livingstone. Mr.. Borders and one
or two other rebellious spirits aside, and,
as he expressed it in subsequent inter-
!! view with Mr.. Hustle, "stiffened their
backbones' with the assurance that ev-
erything was all right and that the
piece was to be done OH Christmas eve
in order that they might have really
merry Christmas Oh the prospects of its
success. After that, he assured them,
their back salaries would pour in upon
them in a perfect avalanche.
As Mr.. Freelance was leaving the
thcater he felt some one Juggling at his
coat, and on looking down saw little
Kitty Sullivan standing beside him and
saying, in earnest tones. and with a
sad, wistful face, Billy, isn't there
any part for me in the new piece:'
The child called him by his first name
because she had always heard him
spoken to in that way by other members
OF the company, and Billy rather en-
, couraged her in the idea because it
sounded funny to him to hear himself
addressed in such familiar terms by an
infant of her size.
Kitty was veritable child of the
avant scene, and had been an actress
from her very earliest infancy. She was
now about years of age, and was lust
beginning to comprehend the difference
between the real things of life, such as
houses, trees and streets, and the paint
ed limitations of stageland. And vet it
was only two years and n half ago that
she beheld the ocean for the first time,
and it is related of her that ON that
occasion she stood with Billy's hand
tightly clasped in hers. watching the
waves as they broke upon the beach, and
finally turned to her companion and said
in her serious way. BILLY, how do they
work 'em:''
And now she was here beside her old
friend. with her small. pathetic face
! upturned, and inquiriDg earnestly il