Evening journal., 1899-05-15

pearance. but she was not thinking OF
critical eyes Just then. The fate of
that performance. and her own as
well. depended upon her and she knew
II. She knew furthermore that the
task of getting this act on was mere
play TO what the next would be, unless
'he manager arrived.
Never before had this fhiil act
srrmed so long. She had a g'cl: deal
sa do. and II generally pas'- gaekly
for she enjoyed her work.
Tonight she could scarcely act for
casting her eyes toward the back Of
the theaier. Once she forgot her lines
entirely ard her song ended with a
little eroak ihut was the nearest APP
preach 10 an involuntary sob.
The soprano. still smariing under a
recollection Of Miss Casey's Inter
ference" guyed her TO the entertain
ment Of the entire east and the front
rows In the parquci Miss Casey. how
eStr needed nothing b0i The back row
Of chairs. behind which the nlnnger.
when he did make his nppearaNce-if
that happy moment were iaied TO come
would lounge importantly.
But never a sign there Was OF him.
and by the time the soDbreite got 10
her scene with the comedian IL might
have been high tragedy Instead Of low
comedy as far as Miss Casey was CON
cerned. For all his guying and in
difference. the comcdiun had not
reached q point when he could calmly
see people get up and walk osienia-
tiously out in the midst OF his best
chance IN the opera.
II he failed to tell her so the mo-
ment the descending curtain pole
raised little puff Of dust on the stage
Il was because he could not get within
hailing distance Miss Casey seemed
movable axis about which her col
leagues revolyed. Now She was al one
side of the stage and the next mo-
ment at the other insisting that the
manager would certainly come in the
face Of a tumult that Insisted he would
not.
II Miss Casey's was a lone voice, 10
was not a small cue. Before entering
the profession It had been her IA
TIERS pride. indeed. that her voice
could be heard on still nights a mile
away. Being on the stage had strength
ened IL.
She argued that all the trains were
not in; that the next day was Christ.
mas, and that a big matinee would
help TO set things straight, even II IA,
Il All "a tHiIfnh Ia
would-"Aad when he does every one
Of you viii have BROKEN your contract
II you don't go on. ltisall well enough
M. TO 60 on at all, but when tn,
things once started It's different. An
the laws the law" Thus far had Mis-
Casey got, but not without inierrup
tions in plenty, when she saw iigurl
spruce and alert addressing the stage
manager. The type was familia
one to Miss CaSey-it was a reporter
She had seen this particular one be
fore that evening. He sat we@l dow
towards the front. OF coUrse he hat
heard the hub-bub. His news insfnc
would supply the rest. This TO tn
soubrette mattered little. Her chic
emotion was one of thankfulness.
her strongest effort had failed,
weapon was now provided that SUI
passed it.
"A reporter" she gasped.
"To interview me" said the soprano
with a self-important swell OF III
shoulders.
ITO interview you'll" Miss Case
echoed, steadily cycling her. "Tha
man knows everything or will kno'
IL presently. Do you remember the los
time you LEI yourself be inteAviewo
when the company broke up here? ?"
The soprano shuddersd She did re
member and she also remembered IN
little silhouettes that necompanie
the text
Miss Casey did not need TO be a min
reader to know what was passing {
the lady's brain.
go dress for the act-hurry. hurry
I'll save YOU" Miss Casey pushed he
brisllly as she passed and repeated he
! flank movement on portion Of tn
j chorus. Others on the stage had nc
caught her words. but who saw som
scatter towards the dressing-roo
I, also saw her hurry TO meet the straI
, ger emerging from the wings.
I, 81 knew your train was late" 81
exclaimed in a tone that penetrated
every outlying group. ~ knew he'dg,
/. here. The fourth act is just going on
She did not wait to look Othes
= turned for a glance on the way to n
q dressing-rooms. but Miss Casey's bac
was between them and The stranger
face. The news spread. BY the tin
= the soprano and contralto had e
half way though their hasty toile
= they heard the manager was come.
, The fourth act was a revelation
the audience. as much Of Il as hs
4 remained. Miss Casey made even Il
. comedian forgive her hy the way 81
played up" to- him. Only once d
= she falter. Il was at the sight Of
4 familiar figure in a fur-declSed owe
coat lounging with an air Of impo
s iance behind the last row Of chairs
. Didn't You know the manager W
n here?' said the soprano. followii
= the direction OF her eyes "Everybo,
= else did"
But Miss Casey said nothing s