The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-28
Stories Of an Inland State.

being extinguished and the single Jet bach
of Burr at last burned alone.
Mrs. Tilford and McGraw stood beside
him. The light which struck their hard,
| faces in striking contrast to Burr's white
| features fickered and flared IN turns
Hadn't we better be going?" asked Mrs
| Tflford with apprehensions OF being locked
| in all night.
IT guess NOT said McGraw. 'The,
haven't paid him YET
To this exchange of ideas Burr paid nc
heed.
Presently they heard voices in the dark
behind them
Williams, the manager Of the troupe. was
saying:
Great Scott! almost forgot him. That's
right"
Then Agnes said: isn't he strange look
ing, Mr.. W;lliams?"
Looks like he'd beer sick"
"Yes. Hasn't he pure face?'
Can he play, Agnes?'
Hes an artist. Can't you tell by hfs
face?"
81 use my ears for music, my dear"
Agnes laughed.
HE looks poor" continued the manager
What do you say?"
He is very fine musician, Mr.. Williams
If know
You know, my dear. You are a must
clan, too. You ought to be IN opera alone
It's a shame to mix up old Shakespeare
with music the way they do. But every
thing for the cash"
What's become Of Crow" she asked
nervously.
Hes gone. Left on that nine o'clock
train. Wen never see him again, the
skunkw
Williams. the manager, and Agnes, who
had played juliet to a Romeo who had de-
serted her in the face of the audience and
forced the performance of Olivette in sub
stitution, now passed down the center aisle
to the place where Burr sat silent at the
piano where he had been called by the
emergency made by the pianist, Grimes,
taking a part in Olivette.
'.My dear fellow" SAID Williams. ssI can
never thank you enough for helping US out
tonight
Burr smiled family
Hes quite Ill, sir" said Mrs. Tilford.
Agnes, the actress, went forward and
touched his forehead.
HE has no fever" she said. "Was il
typhoid?''
NO." said Mrs. Tilford. '1t was worse
than that. 1t was
Starvation" said Burr rising.
Mrs. Tilford and McGraw looked to eacr,
otter.
Starvation" Burr repeated. Starved
by the brutality Of this village Of hoodlums
Sir. want out of this. I want to go with
you
''But man. sale Mr.. Williams swelling
slightly. 81 am not in the habit of engag-
iIg people this way"
But you will need a pianist, Mr. VIII
uams," pleaded Agnes.
Now, my dear said Williams In repri-
mand. 'You play Juliet. Let me do the
managing"
II shall go along with you." Burr said.
"Come. 1t is the salary that sticks?
want none"
"Noner' exclaimed the bulky Mr.. Will
liams in surprise.
NO Not a red penny. Feed me. I'll
play
WELL that's settled" said Williams
Have you any clothes? We leave at two"
Burr looked down at his shabby attire in
answer.
ITS a CO." said Williams. Agnes I've
got to look after that baggage. You take
care of-of-Mr. Burr. That's your name.
isn't it? First get him something to eat"
Burr glanced up quickly. painfully.
The manager noted the glance and cursed
himself for his roughness.
Il am to go with your" he asked.
Agnes nodded.
Burr turned to his two friends. He took
the hand.
Goodbye" he said. Goodbye There
is a vengeance somewhere under the blue
sky for the people who have treated me "a
they have. When it comes shall ask you
two to share it. And if there is no veng-
eance to come but shall in the end gain
some reward you shall share that, too"
Mrs. Tilford shifted and wrung his hand.
McGraw examined his hat critically.
Goodbye Burr said again as they
parted at the door.
Mrs. Tilford,'' said McGraw, when they
were alone. Don't you really think he is
crazy?"
do you?"
"Yes"
"well. 1 do too. What DO you make OF
it?"
They don't appreciate crazy people out
here"
What's that?"
did you ever hear Of Pagnny""
mo"
"He was great fiddler He was as crazy
as loon. But peopel paid five and six
dollars to hear him fiddle an hour"
What do you make of that?"
They'd a starved him to death IN this
town. They don't appreciate crazy people
out here"
Don't? Do they anywhere?'
Yes. Away off somewhere, in New York
I guess. Greatness comes high and people
viii crawl over each other to get at it,
That's mighty queer"
"Queer. but it's so.'
You saw Miss Adams. who played the
nurse?" asked Agnes OF Burr when they
had reached the hotel and were seated in
the parlor.
"She is such a dear woman and she 10 as
young as / am, too"
She"
Eyes. Now you wouldn't have thought
that would you? But she is. She makes
up beautifully for an old woman. I'm going
to get her in here and introduce you. Then
wen so TO her room and help her eat her
lunch. She's regular slutton.
She always eats lunch az night. Now
you sit here and I'll bring her" Miss
Adams came in In travelling dress and
was introduced.
You play beautifully, Mr.. Burr" she
said.
Il thank you"
"Oh. we're all wonderfully frank I tell
we are unpleasant. too.
Now you must come into my room and eat.