Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-08-25

appeared into one OF the dressing
rooms. It was Nigel Halliday. white
and trembling, and with huge beads OF
Precipitation on his brow.
He'll never be on!" said the per-
formers in chorus. But he was at the
side, dressed and made up, fully five
minutes before his first entrance. The
other performers were looking at him
curiously, for his face was twitching
and he spoke to no one. Nervousness
or drunkenness" they all agreed.
There was ripple of laughter as he
made his first entrance. 1t acted like
an electric shock upon him. He knew
what was expected OF him, and he
worked desperately. He'll dol" said
the anxious manager, sagely, as he
watched his grotesque exit and listened
to the applause that followed it.
As soon as Halliday was Off the
stage after the fourth scene he caught
the assistant manager by the arm.
I'm not on until the palace scene"
he said eagerly. How long is my
waltz"
ooh, about an hour tonight" was
the reply.
Halliday rushed down the passage to
his dresslng-room, removing his kingly
robes as he ran.
what the deuce are you doingF'
cried one of the men, as he watched
him struggle into his overcoat. Are
:-L ,xyha t0v
Don't stop mel" painted Halliday.
Hands off, I say! It's my long wait.
I'll be back in time. My child is lost
missing since morning. I'm crazy with
anxiety; she's my only one."
Through the streets he ran. thread
ing in and out the traffic. needless OF
the drivers. The fog had cleared away,
and the night was starry.
"Babsie! Babsie!" he painted. as he
tore along "Babsie! Babsie!' as he
vaulted UP the dark staircase to his
home. All was silent in the desolate
room. He stood there one moment
and threw up his hands in voiceless
prayer. and then he fastened back TO
the theater.
Just before his entrance in the pal
ace scene the doorkeeper made his way
through the crowd and said something
! in a low tone to the stage manager.
He saw them glance toward him and
in a moment he was beside them.
'In heavens name tell me, Grahame!
Is II news for me? Don't lie; know 1t
isl"
when you come off, Halliday-after
YOUR song. There's your music play
ing now. Go on, old man.
"Tell me first" Halliday replied
hoarsely, "and give you my word I'll
go on"
"A little girl-run over-taken to
Faith hospital. Don't know who she
belongs to. Died unconscious" Ora
hame replied hastily.
"Thank you" was all the wrctched
man said as he staggered past them
onto the stage.
A child in the gallery laughed glee'
fully at his grotesque entrance. IL
sounded just like Babsie's laugh. Bao'
sic now, perhaps, lying a little man
gled corpse in the Faith hospital
Why was he there? he asked himselt
IL his darling lay dead. What did ne
care for money now?
But Bab.e, had been so fond or his
drinking song" She had looked Tor
ward to hearing him sing it. Hf
would sing it for her sake.
Then his voice began to falter-h'
swayed slightly. Hes breaking dowa,'
was the terrified whisper. won
some one step in to fill the gap?"
And some one did. Right from tn
very back of the gallery it came
child's voice that caught up the refrain
inst "a the wretched singer was abou
To rush from the stage, and the aston
ished artistes, looking up to tn
goods" beheld the singer, little CIR
nerched upon the shoulders of a stall
wart coster. 1t was Babsie-BaDsi
alive and well.
Rv the time the little girl had go
through the chorus and the CALLER.
had shown their appreciation by ap
plause and whistling, Halliday had re
gained his possession. and he san
the remainder Of his ditty with su'S
ioyous vigor that he carried his au
dience along, and the infection'of gay
ety from all the smiling faces on tn
stage made itself felt all over tn
house.
, "That kid in the gallery is an OIL
music-hall dodge" said one petite
another.
eyes. but this was jolly well worked
7 thought the chap had really broke
down." replied his friend.
Behind the scenes the kid IN tn
gallery was being clasped in her faith
er's arms amid group of sympatheti
, people in motley attire.
, Babsie's story was soon told. she ma
been offered a quarter by neighbc
to mind her babies while she went gu
The temptation to see her dad pei
form had been too strong, and the IL
tie girl. with her precious coin In ne
= hand, had patiently waited outside th
gallery door for many hours. AS sf
G had not expected her father home a