The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-12-23
CHAPTER VI

W. OWN the hill facing the tav-
II N ern. the shadows of night
~ We're slowly withdrawn usn-
ering in the day of the play
ers' leaving A single tree at the very
top. isolated from its sylvan neighbors.
was bathed in the warm sunshine, re-
ceiving the earliest benediction of day.
Down. down came the dark shade. pur-
sued by the light until the entire slope
of the hill was radiant and the sad
colored foliage Haunted in newborn
gayety.
Returning from the stable. where he
had been looking after his horse. the
soldier stood for a moment before the
inn. when a flower fell at his feet and
ceived Susan. who was leaning from
her window The venturesome rose
which had clambered as high as the
second story, was gone, plucked, alas,
by the wayward hand of a coquette
Saint-Prosper bowed and stopped for
the aspiring but now hapless flower
which lay in the dust.
You have Joined the chariot,
hear" said Susan.
For the present" he replied.
And what parts will you playT she
continued, with smiling inquisitiveness
None"
What a pity! You would make a
handsome lover" Then she blushed.
"Lud, What am | saying? Besides
maliciously-"I believe you have eyes
for some one else. But remember
shaking her finger and with coquet-
fish turn of the head am an actress
and therefore vain. | must have the
best part in the new piece. Don't for
get that. or I'll not travel in the same
chariot with you" And Susan disap-
peared.
"Ah, Kate" she said moment later.
what a fine looking young man he
isr'
"WhoY' drawled her sister.
"Mr. Saint-Prosper, Of course"
"He is large enough" retorted Kate
leisurely. e.
Large enough! Oh. Kate. what q
phlegmatic creature you arew
Fudge" said the other as she left
the chamber.
Entering the tavern. the soldier was
met by the wiry old lady who bobbed
into the breakfast room and explained
the kind of part that fitted her like a
glove, her preiudices being strong
against modern plays.
Il
Rival Queens or Webster's pieces" she
exclaimed. quoting with much fire for
her years:
we are only like dead walls or vaulted
graves
"And do not forget the heavy in
your piecer' called out Hawkes. across
the table "Something you can dig
your teeth in"
Nor the Juvenile lead" chlmed in
the Celtic Adonis.
"Adonis makes a great hit in a
small part" laughed Kate, appearing
at the door. "My lord. the carriage is
waiting!"
my lady, your tongue is too sharpP'
exclaimed Adonis, nettled.
"And put in a love scene for Adonis
and myself" she continued, lazily float
ing into the room. HE is so fond of
me it would not be like actingw
This bantering was at length inter
rupted by the appearance of the chariot
and the property wagon at the front
door, ready for the journey. The rum
bling of the vehicles, the resoundlng
hoofs and the resonant voice of tie
stable boy awakened the young lord of
the manor In his chamber above. He
stretched himself sleepily, swore and
again composed himself for slumber,
when the noise of a property trunk
humping its way down the front stairs
a step at time galvanized him into
life and consciousness.
HAS the world come to an end?" he
muttered. mo; remember. It's only
the players taking their departure"
But, although he spoke carelessly
the humping of boxes and slamming
and banging of portable goods annoyed
him more than he would confess. With
the "crazy quilt" a patchwork OF
heptagons Of different hues and pat
terms, around his shoulders, clothing
him with all the colors of the rainbow
he sat up In bed. wincing at each con
cussion.
81 might as well get up" he exclaim
ed. "I'll see her once more-the per
verse beautyp And. tossing the kalei
doscopic covering viciously from him
he began to dress.
Meanwhile, as the time for their go
ing drew near. mine host downstairs
sped the parting guest with good cheer
having Jared profitably by the patron
age the players had brought to the inn
but his daughter, Arabella. looked sac
and pensive. How weary, fat an6
stale appeared her existence now
With lump in her throat and a pans
in her heart she recklessly wiped hel
eyes upon the best parior curtains
when Barnes mounted to the box. al