The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-28

Is what meant"
Harding turned on his heel and walked
to the door. The girl followed him and
opened the outside door for him. He stood
II moment looking at her, and then no
went out. and she closed tho door after
him. Then she went back into the mel
low light Of tho little room, and, throwing
herself upon wide divan, burst into tears:
"The surprise which wo have long
known Manager Davis of the Empire thea.
ter had in store for us is out at last" said
tho dramatic column of one of the big
dailies.
"Miss Eleanor Charming, who, it will
be remembered, made such startling sue
cess in the amateur field last winter, has
been induced to take the leading role in
the Princess Lounda, shortly to be pro-
duced at the Empire
And this announcement was made the
text Of lengthy gossipy article about
Miss Charming and her affairs and the
reasons that had induced her to adopt the
stage. The article spoke Of her wonderful
talent and rojoioed that 1t was no longer
to be hidden or wasted In the company of
amateurs.
All this, and the many notices that
came after 1t, Harding read with sink
Ing heart He made no attempt to sec
Miss Claiming. He had given ND all
hope Of changing her In her purpose.
AS the night Of her first appearance
drew near he told himself that it would
not do for him TO go to the theater. He
was afraid that no might do some foolish
thing. Nevertheless when the time came
he could not stay away.
His impatienoe brought him early to the
theater and he secured a box, in the ex-
treme rear Of which he slowed himself
xr,ba hn -.
either from the audience or from the stage.
Presently the orchestra began to play
the overture. 1t was a low, plaintive
theme that the leader had chosen and
every culver OF tho violins seemed to deep
en- the gloom in the young mans heart.
The orchestra changed to quicker
movement the lights throughout tho
house were lowered while the footlights
blazed forth and then the curtain rose.
There was the usunl conventional open
ing, but after it there was a pause and
from the rear OF the stage Miss Charming
came forward. There was stiffness for
moment then stir through the audience
and some applause. The play proceeded.
From his seat in the shadow Harding
watched her nunbly. He heard what she
was saying and yet he did not hear it 1t
seemed not 10 make any impression on
him.
Presently he reused himeeH suddenly.
What was the matter with the audiences
He looked back 10 the stage where Eleanor
was.
Was be madS What kind OF acting was
that which he saw! Gould It be that this
clumsy, awkward woman was Eleanor
ChannMg! 6hc seemed moro like a wood
en- woman He breashed a sigh of relief
when the curtain went down.
subdued murmur wons through the
house as the curtain fdL bus there was no
Other sign etthsr OF approval or disapproy-
al. Il was a patient audience, though cold
and growing oolder. Still 1t yea suspended
judgment
But bsfore the chose Of tho second aot IL
was plain. undsniablc fact that the girl
was failure. The audience even began to
thin out to~asd the close of the act and
many went ous whom the curtain went
down and forgot 30 come book 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.
Ho listened with Quivering nerves for
the first and faintess sign Of applause
and whom II did not come he endeavored
TO start 1t himself.
But IL was of no avail. The actress was
failure, and 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 shc 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 q cab
outside. Without asking her permission
he followed her in and sat down beside
her.
AT first she seemed not to notice him,
and then she regarded him with wide star
ing eyes She seemed dazed, stunned.
My poor chiidl" he said, taking her
hand in his.
She did not attempt to take 1t 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.
muflled voice from somewhere down ON
his coat sleeve.
ut was terrible, wasn't it?' said the
voice, very weakly.
ION the contrary, think it was splen-
did, Harding answered
There was pause, and then the voice
spoke again.
III you had not been there I think I
should have died, " 1t said this time.
Ihis 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 1 will continue to be
always, II you will lot no. he said.
II think you will have to be" said tho
voice, now happy one though still very
weak, for do not seem to be able TO get
along without you at all. "-Exchanpe.
Angoulome.
a broad, isolnted hill about poo foot e.,