The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-09-26

critical eyes just then. The fate OF
that performance. and her own as
well. depended upon her and she knew
it. She knew furthermore that the
task of getting this act on was mere
play to what the Lext would be, unless
the manager arrived.
Never before had this third act
seemed so long. She had great deal
to do. and it generally passed quickly.
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 and her song ended with a
little croak that was the nearest APP
proach TO an involuntary sob.
The soprano. still smarting under a
recollection of Miss Casey's Inter
ference" guyed her to the entertain
ment of the entire cast and the front
rows in the parquet. Miss Casey, how
ever. needed nothing but the back row
Of chairs. behind which the manager.
when he did make his appearance-if
that happy moment were faied to come
would lounge importantly.
But never a sign there was of him.
and by the time the soubrette got TO
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 comedian had not
reached point when he could calmly
see people get up and walk ostenta-
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
it was because be could not get within
hailing distance. Miss Casey seemed
a movable axis about which her col
! leagues revolved. 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 tumult that insisted he would
not.
If Miss casey's was lone voice. it
was not a small one. Before entering
the profession it had been her ia
theirs pride. indeed, that her voice
could be heard on still nights a mile
away. Being on the stage had strength
/ ened 1t.
She argued that all the trains were
not in; that the next day was Christ
mas. and that big matinee would
help TO set things straight. even if the
manager did not show up--Shich he
Woodland when he does every one
Of you will have broken your contract
If you don't go on. II is all well enough
not TO 60 on at all. but when the
things once started it's different. An
the laws the law" Thus far had Miss
Casey got, but not without Interrupt
lions in plenty, when she saw a figure
spruce and alert addressing the stage
manager. The type was a familiar
one 10 Miss Casey-it was reporter.
She had seen this particular one be-
fore that evening. He sat well down
towards the front. OF course he had
heard the hub-bub. His news instinct
would supply the rest. This to the
sonbrette mattered little. Her chief
emotion was one of thankfulLess. If
her strongest effort had failed, a
weapon was now provided that sur
passed it.
"a reporter" she gasped.
ITO interview me" said the soprano.
with a self-important swell of the
shoulders.
ITO interview you'll" Miss Casey
echoed. steadily cycling her. "That
man knows everything or will know
it presently. Do you remember the last
time you let yourself be interviewed
when the company broke up here?"
The soprano shuddered She did re-
member and she also remembered the
little silhouettes that accompanied
the text.
Miss Casey did not need to be a mind
reader to know what was passing in
the lady's brain.
Go dress for the act-hurry, hurryl
/ III save you" Miss Casey pushed her
briskly as she passed and repeated her
flank movement on a portion of the
chorus. Others on the stage had not
caught her words, but who saw some
scatter towards the dressing-rooms
also saw her hurry TO meet the stran-
ger emerging from the wings.
81 knew your train was late" she
exclaimed in tone that penetrated to
every outlying group. 81 knew he'd get
here. The fourth act is just going on
She did not wait to look Others
turned for a glance on the way 10 the
i dressing-rooms, but Miss Casey's back
was between them and the strangers
face. The news spread. By the time
the soprano and contralto had got
half way through their hasty toilets
they heard the manager was come.
The fourth act was a revelation to
the audience, as much Of it as had
remained. Miss Casey made even the
comedian forgive her by the way she
played up" to him. Only once did
she falter. 1t was at the sight of a
familiar figure in a fur-decked over
coat lounging with an air of impor-
lance behind the last row of chairs.
Didn't you know the manager was
here?' said the soprano, following
the direction of her eyes. Everybody
else did"
But Miss Casey said nothing, she