Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-12
Charles cheerfally to that lady. "only
the back Of her chair We took alarm
unnecessarily. Just IL, it should be.
have done the sane myself witl-a diff

tuc DstCk OI IleT Ctlalf. VIC LOOK ulstIIu
unnecessarily. Just III it should be. /
have done the sa.se myself witi-a diff
rerent chair.
Gle is always doing it. continued
Aurelia unlnollilicd. Il have told him
about it before. He made me drop a
piece of bread and butter on the carpet
only yesterday"
II ate it afterward, humbly suggested
Ralph, still on his knees, "and there
were hairs in it. There were, indeed,
Aurclia."
"And now 1t is my tea gown" contin-
ued Aurelia, giving way 10 the prettiest
little outburst of temper imaginable.
II wisl, you would get up and go away,
Ralph, and not come back. You are
only making it worse by rubbing it in
that silly way with your wet handker-
chief"
Here is another, said Charles, snatch
ing up Lady Mary's delicate cambria
one, which was lying on her work table,
while l was In the act of introducing
Carr to her; and before that lady's po-
likeness to Carr would allow her to turn
from him to expostulate Charles was on
his knees beside Ralph. wiping the Of
Tending stain.
"'Out, damned spotr or rather, series
of spots. What, Aurelia? you don't wish
it rubbed any more9 Good. Twill turn
my attention to the Aubusson carpet.
Ha! triumph Here at least am sue
cessful. Aunt Mary, you have no con-
ception how useful your handkerchief is.
The amount of tea or dirt, or both, which
Is leaving the carpet and taking refuge
in your little square of cambria will sur
prise you when you see 1t. Ah!"-rising
from his knees as brought up Carr,
having by this time presented him to Sir
George. Every happy to see you, Mr..
Carr. Most kind of you to come. Eve
lyn, are you pouring out some tea for
Mr.. Carr? Nature requires support be.
fore last rehearsal. May introduce
you to my cousin, Miss Derrickg
After Carr had also been introduced
to Aurelia, who, however, was still too
much absorbed in her tea gown to take
much notice Of him. he seemed glad to
retreat to a chair by Evelyn, who gave
him his tea and talked pleasantly to him.
He was very shy ut first, but he soon got
used to US, and many were the curious
glances shot at him by the rest of the
party as tea went OH. There was to be
last rehearsal Immediately afterward,
so that he might take part in it, and
there was general unacknowledged
anxiety on the part of all the actors as
to how he would bear that crucial test
on which so much depended. Twas be-
coming anxious myself. being in man
ner responsible for him.
"You're not nervous, are your" said,
taking him aside when tea was over.
"Only act half as well as you did on the
steamer and you will do capitally."
eyes, am nervous" he replied, with
short, uneasy laugh. at is enough to
make u fellow nervous to be set down
among lot of people whom he has never
seen before-to act a principal part. too.
l had no idea it was going to be such
grand affair or would not have come.
l only did it to please you"
OF course knew that and tried to
reassure him, reminding him that the
audience would not be critical and how
grateful every one was to him for COM
ing.
Tell me who some Of the people are,
will youy" he went on. 'Who is that
tall man with the fair mustache? He is
looking at us now"
THAT is Charles, the eldest son." / re-
piled; land the shorter one. with the
pleasant face, near the window, is Ralph,
his younger brother"
"That is avery good looking girl he is
talking to-" he remarked. II did not
catch her name"
"Hush!' said. "That is Miss Grant,
whom he is engaged to. They have just
had little tiff and are making it up.
he does talk to her good deal. l have
noticed it myself. Such a sweet Great
nre!"
SIS she going to actY'
EYES," Ireplied. "They are going to
begin at once. You need not dress. It
is not dress rehearsal"
II think will 80 and get my boots
off, though" said Carr. "Can you show
me where ! amF'
II am afraid you are not in the house
ut all" said. 1.-THE fact is-did not Sir
George tell your And then explained.
For moment his face fell, but it
cleared instantly, though not before
had noticed it.
"You don't mind!" said astonished.
"You quite understands
"Of course, of counsel" he interrupted.
ext is I'LL right. I have cold, that is
all; and have to sing next week.
shall do very well. Pray don't tell your
friends have a cold. am sure Sir
George Is kindness itself, and it might
make him uneasy to think was not in
his house"
The rehearsal now began, and in much
trepidation Iwaited to see Carr come
on. The moment he appeared all anxiety
vanished; the other actors were reas-
sured and acted their best. A few pas
sages had to be repeated, a few positions
altered, but 1t was obvious that Carr
could act, and act well, though curious
ly enough he looked less gentlemanlike
and well bred when acting with Charles
than lie had done when he was the best
among very mixed set on the steamer.
lyon act beautifully, Mr.. CART" said
Aurelia, when 1t was over. Doesn't he,
Ralphr'
Doesn't hep replied Ralph, hot but
good humored. ~ am sure, Carr, we
are most grateful to you"
$50 am /, said Charles. "Your death
agonies. Carr, are credit to human ma
ture. No great vulgar writings, with
legs all over the stage, like Denis; but a
chaste, refined wriggle, and all was over.
1t is pleasure to kill a man who dies in
such a gentlemanike manner. If only
Evelyn will keep little closer to me
when ! am on my wicked, baronial
knees Ishall be quite happy. You hear,
Evelyn
"How you can joke at this moment, y
said Evelyn, who looked pale and nerv.
Gus, II cannot think. ldon't believe ]
shall be able to remember word when
1t comes to the point"
"Stage fever coming on already" said
Charles, in different tone. "Ah! it is
wow. fs,.,< L. .,zko a.