The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-07-18

1 the tenor. the soprano and the
contralto got together in the wings
and decided if the manager failed TO
arrive as he had teIegraphed and set
tie up the payroll, now overdue, they
would not siLg the opera out.
When the news spread, as it quickly
did, the chorus with slight dissent
agreed in the plan. Many of them had
been stranded before and the prospect
was far from exhilarating. but the
chance of getting even in some small
way had the pleasure of novelty. The
plum was in consequence tacitly agreed
upon.
The basso. not in the original pro-
nunciamento list, told the call boy that
he need not bring the customary beer
from around the corner after the sec
ond act.
As this meant that he would go after
/ it in person 70 doubt was left in the
minds of those concerned as to what
course he would pursue.
Faces that a few moments before had
appeared anxious now grew bright at
the prospect of excitement.
The audience in front. not a bad one
es the audiences of the new opera went.
was in ignorance of the projected sur
prise.
The soubrette, usually the most in
consequent member of the company,
alone was depressed.
Il tell you you don't know what you
are about. As long as people think you
are engaged. whether you get your
money or not. there's a chance that
they'll trust you. but if they know the
eompauy's disbanded there's no more
chance about it," As in the world at
large the voice OF the philosopher went
unheeded.
Not disconnected the soubrette
spread cut her costume for the third act
on the steam radiator ard left the door
of her cFessing-room wide open that
all might see as they passed by. Clear
ly she was not with he majority.
But Miss Casey had more at stake
than the majority. She was engaged
to Victor Laquiue. tenor in the chorus.
They were to be married in the spring
and would go into vaudeville in hap
py domestic way.
\ djsbanding of the company on
Christmas eve and their first engage
ment together booked for a summer
garden in May made scarcely pleas
ing prospect.
Engage that year had been
hard enough to get at any time and
in mid-season would be scarcest of all.
At the very best it meant different
/ ~, -,
turn meant good-by to matrimony and
vaudeville. Miss Casey had been en-
gagged before, she knew the sex.
On the stage the company guyed each
other and the audience as only an IN
paid company can.
Miss Casey alone was too preoccu-
pied to pay any attention TO it. Now
and then she cast her eyes toward
the rear of the theater hoping to see
the managers fur-decked overcoat NOV
ing about behind the last row of seats
Il knew he wouldn't comel" every
one said as they faced each other or
the stage when the curtain had rung
down.
] Hell come yet" said Miss Casey
with firmness. Maybe his trains late;
this heavy snow would stop anything
and if he comes and finds the theatel
| dark when the third act ought to bt
on. l wouldn't give much for the tick
cts he'd give you to get home on"
There was logic in this, but the so
prano pierced it.
How do you know his train ISM
imp" she inquired with dignity and
look at the interfering soubrette thai
would have silenced her. had she no
: been Miss Casey with much depending
on her
Send the stage manager to the box
office telephone to see about it, pu
in the contralto.
How do you know what road be i
on? There are half a dozen or more
He may be on his way here now in ;
cab! He may step on the stage an,
minute and find everyone refusin' tt
20 on instead of dressin' as we should
Any minute he may be rushin' in.
say!" Miss Casey was excited int,
the vernacular. Her words tumbleC
over each other and even these famil
Jar with the go she put into her song
and dances would have been SURPRISE
at the energy she put into her prog
, ress to the dressing-reom- 1t SCENE.
a TO sweep the whole flank of chorus girl!
with it.
"Dring my beer" said the basso Il
: the call boy, es his eyes followed Mis-,
> Casey's figure. Clearly he meant Il
sing the third act.
The tenor, the soprano and the con
tralto looked at each other and theI
at their retreating colleagues.
Presently the stagehanis, who hac
been interested auditors, began to sci
the scene for the third act.
Miss Casey was back in an incred