The herald., 1896-08-02

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treme rear Of which he stevvod himself
away where he could not be recognized,
either from the audieape or rom the stage.
Presently the orchestra began 10 play
the overture. 1t was q low, plaintive
theme that the leader had chosen and
every culver of the victims seemed to deep
en- the gloom in the young tnan's heart.
The orchestra changed to quicker
movement the lights throughout the
house were lowered while the footlights
blazed forth and then the curtain rose.
There was the usual conventional open
ing, but after it there was a pause and
from the rear of the stage Miss Claiming
came forward. There was stiffness for q
moment. then stir through the audience
and some applause. The play proceeded.
From his seat In the shadow Harding
watched her numbly. He heard what she
was saying and yet he did not hear 1t. 1t
seemed not to make any impression on
him.
Presently he reused himself suddenly.
What was the matter with the audienceY
He looked back to the stage where Eleanor
was.
Was he madp What kind of acting was
that which he saw Could it be that this
clumsy. awkward woman was Eleanor
Claiming? She seemed more like wood
en- woman He bresthed sigh Of relief
when the curtain went down.
A subdued murmur went through the
house as the curtain fell but there was no
other sign either Of approval or disapprov-
al. 1t was patient audience, though cold
and growing colder. Still it yet suspended
Judgment
But before the close of the second act 1t
was q plain, undeniable fact that the girl
was n failure. The audience even began to
thin out toward the close of the act and
many went out when the curtain went
down and forgot to come back again.
But long before this Harding's mood
had changed and he now watched the
movement of the play with the most vivid
and intense interest.
He listened with quiver1ng nerves for
the first and faintest sign Of applause,
and when it did not come he endeavored
to start it himself.
But it was of no avail The actress was
failure, ard the audience knew it.
When the curtain finally went down for
the last time, Harding rushed out of his
box and through the side passage to the
stage Eagerly he sought Miss Charming,
but she was not TO be found. They told
him that she had slipped out unattended
as soon as she came from the stage.
He found her just about to take cab
outside. Without asking her permission
be followed her in and sat down beside
her.
A first she seemed not to notice him,
and then she regarded him with wide star
ing eyes. She seemed dazed, stunned.
My poor childP' he said, taking her
hand in his.
She did not attempt to take it away.
Presently she leaned her head down on his
arm and began to weep softly. He did
not speak, but let her have her way, strok-
ing her hair gently.
Presently there came weak, little
muffied voice from somewhere down on
his coat sleeve.
sit was terrible, wasn't itf" said the
voice, very weakly.
''On the contrary, I think it was splen-
did," Harding answered.
snd There esv was a pause Ipd then the voice
"If you had not beep there, I think 1
should have died. it said this time.
This was too much for Harding to stand
with equanimity, and the voice and its
owner were gathered into pair of strong
arms.
''But was. and will continue to be
always, If you will let me, :" he said:
II think you will have to be, said the
voice, now a happy one, though still very
weak, "for do not seem to be able to gel
along without you at all. "-Exchange.