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

we'll. depended upon ner ana 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 theater. Once she forgot her lines
entirely and her song ended with
little croak that was the nearest APP
proach to an involuntary sob.
The soprano. still smarting under
recollection of Miss Casey's enter
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 fated 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 ii might
have been high tragedy instead CT low
comedy as far as Miss Casey was con-
cerned. For all his guying and in
difference. the comedian had not
reached a point when he could calmly
see people get up and walk ostenta-
tiouxly 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 he could not get within
hailing distance. Miss Casey seemed
a movable axis about which her col
/ leagues revolved Now she was at one
| side of the stage and the next mo-
ment at the other insisting that ting
manager would certainly come in the
| face Of tumuIt 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
TIERS pride. indeed, that her voice
could be heard on still nights a mile
away. Being on the stage had strength
ened it.
not in; that the next day was Christ
mas, and that a big matinee would
help to set things straight, even if the
| manager did not show up-which he
| would-"Ard when he does every one
CT you will have broken your contract
if you don't 60 on. 1t is all well enough
not to go 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
tions in plenty. when she saw a figure
spruce and alert addressing the stage
manager. The type was a familiar
one to Miss Casey-it was a 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
soubrette mattered little. Her chief
emotion was one of thankfulLess. II
her strongest effort had failed, a
weapon was now provided that sur
passed il.
"A reporter" she gasped.
ITO interview me-" said the soprano
with a selfimportant swell of the
shoulders.
ITO interview youl" 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 il
the lady's brain.
go dress for the act--hurry. hurry
I'll save you" Miss Casey pushed hel
briSlxly as she passed and repeated he
flank movement on a portion of tn,
chorus. Others on the stage had no
caught her words, but who saw som,
scatter towards the dressing-room
also saw her hurry to meet the stran
ger emerging from the wings.
Il knew your train was late" sh
exclaimed in a tone that penetrated t
every outlying group. II knew he'd &c
hCACs Tx AOdA ~ dSt II IUaSl SOil8 Gu
She did not wait to look Other
: turned for a glance on the way &c III
dressing-rooms, but Miss Casey's bic
was between them and the stranger
face. The news spread. By the tn
the soprano and contralto had SgC
half way through their hasty tote
they heard the manager was CONG.
The fourth act was revelation /
.. the audience, as much of it as ha
!. remained. Miss Casey made even til
: comedian forgive her by the way sh
played up" to him. Only once di
she falter. 1t was at the sight of
. familiar figure in fur-decked owe
coat lourging with an air of impoi
lance behind the last row of chairs
Didn't you know the manager wa
. here?" said the soprano. followin
the direction of her eyes. "Everybod
else did"
But Miss Casey said nothing. ST
: only went on with her acting.
The manager was behind the scene
!, before the curtain was down. Pa
sala were ma id. tx<o 70 ;rlx- 49,,