The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-17

tation had said "2 to 5 80 p. rn.," and it
was now o'clock; but they could not
resist the temptation to see the last of
1.-THE poor dear thing" as they agreed
to call the bride.
The King sat silent during the drive;
he was preparing his farewell speech,
which he meant to deliver in the porch.
But arriving and perceiving the crowd
about it, and also (to his vast astorish-
ment) a red baize carpet on the perron
and butler bowling in the doorway
with two footmen behind him, he
coughed down his evordium and led his
daughter into the hall, amid showers
of rice and confetti The bridegroom
followed and so did the wedding
guests, since no one opposed them.
The hall and staircase were decorat-
ed with palms and pot plants, flags
and emblems of Illyria. and in the
great drawing room-which they enter
ed while John persuaded the King to a
! seat-they found many rows of rnoroc-
co-covered chairs, miniature stage
with a drop representing the play scene
I in Hamlet" row of footlights. a
| boudoir grand piano and a man seated
at the keyboard, whom they recognized
as a performer in much demand at SUI
burban dances.
The company had scarcely seated it,
self before a strange light began to
illuminate that end of the room at
which the stage stood, and Immediate
ly the curtain rose to the overture of
NJ Offenbach's "Orphee aux Enters, .
the pianist continuing with great spirit
until a round of applause greeted the
entrance of the two spectral perform
ers.
Its effect upon them was in the high
est degree discorcerting. They sat down
the coffin, and, after brief and hur-
ried conference in undertone, the
black mustac hioed ghost advanced to
the footlights, singled out John from
the audience. and, with a terrific scowl
demanded to know the reason of this
extraordinary gathering.
Come, come, my dear SIR" answered
John "Our contract, if you will study
it, allows me to invite whom l choose;
it merely insists that my bride and
must be present, as you see we are.
Pray, go on with your past, and assure
yourself it is no use to try the high
horse with me-"
The dark ghost looked at his partner,
who shuffled uneasily. Il told you,
said he, I'VE should have trouble with
this fellow. l had a presentment OF
it when he came to spend the night
here without bringing bull dog. That
frightening of the bull dog out of his
wits has always been our most effective
bit of business"
Hereupon the dark ghost took an
other tone. "Our fair, but unfortu-
nate victim has a sore throat tonight,
he announced, the performance is con-
seduently postponed" and he seated
himself sulkily upon the coffin, when
the limelight man from the wings
promptly bathed him in a flood of the
most beautiful rose color. 20. this is
intolerable!" he exclaimed, starting to
his feet. ,a
John. "but such as il is, we had bet
ter go through with 1t. Should the
company doubt its genuineness' can
go around afterward and show the
brand on the cork" Here he tapped
the leg which be had been careful TO
bring with him.
ghosts resistance collapsed. They seat
ed themselves on the coffin and began
the casting OF dice r the performance
! nroceeded. but in a half hearted and
nerfunctory manner, Notwithstanding
/ the vivacious efforts of the limelight
nan.
The tall ghost struck his brow and
fed from the stage. There were cries
~ "Call him back" but John explain
ed that this was part OF the drama
ana no encores would be allowed.
Whereupon the audience fell TO hiss
ing the villain who now sat alone with
| the most lfe-lke expression or malie-
/ nifty.
20. hang IT," he expostulated after
a while. II am doing this under pro-
test. and you need not make IL worse
for a fellow. draw the line at hiss
ing"
affably.
But when the ghostly lady walked
on. and. IN the act Of falling on her
| fathers body, was interrupted by the
pianist, who handed up an immense
bouquet. the performers held another
hurried oolloquy
Look here" said the dark proved
villain. stepping forward ana address.
Ing John. "Wbat VIII you take 70 call
II quits7"
I'm take" said John, the key which
the lady has jusi handed you. Ana II
fbe treasure b ~ 81 commemorate
with the fuss you have been making
about 81, we'll d. byEouef be- byEones'
Wei, BE- WaH' and John, having
counted a ouf behind mo curtain
came forward AND Hfked the rihniW ~
play "CoG haYo ne klnR and %
haylnF bowed Do guaais 20 me door