The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-05-10
HIS LADY
FAIR
BY r1AE r1EsERoLE MARTIN
SsT1HEN Cassie is doomed .


in his trousers pockets, fitting himself
back and forth from toe to heel. Big
and broad and bonnie was Casimiro
Brough with more Of his English faith
er in his sunny face than the Spanish
mother he could not remember
You fellows seem to be concerned
about me-" said Cassie, lounging into
the room. What have / dons?"
Made fool OF yourself" said Van
derhof, shortly.
Nothing new in that"
"Confound you, Cassiel Why don't
you leave that woman alone?"
Cant Wouldn't If l could"
Cassie" said Van, and they ooked
into each others eyes. Winston and
think lot of you and know you're
our good friend. Angela Heriot is a
middle-aged woman with very pncer-
tain past, a woman who in her palm
lest days. some is years ago, lad not
the smallest claim to refinement All
this you know when you are awake,
but you've been asleep for two weeks
Now, Cassie. old man, for your sake,
Win and | are open to conviction.
Teach US to see her with your eyes or
do you learn to see her with ours"
Cassie leaned forward eagerly.
DO you mean that, Van?|
Every word"
Then come with me tonight"
Done"
The play was new one, built on
simple lines, exquisitely staged, well
acted and containing admirable dla-
logue. 1t was not long before we knew
that the entrance of the star was immi-
nent, and | Strengthened up. finding 1t
impossible to withstand the wave OF
excitement that passes over the house
at this juncture.
The scene was garden in June. with
lavish display of pink roses. Angela
Heriot in trailing white gown and a
Tapping garden hat descended a fight
of steps amid enthusiastic greeting
from the audience. Presently the hat
was thrown aside and | gazed critically
ut the actress, trying to put myself in
Castles shoes. She was the same old
Angela Heriot. with the old and few
other things left out. Her 40 sun. ners
with the sheen Of bronze in the care
less waves that crowned it. tried in
all sincerity to make my mind blank,
TO render myself open to new impress
sions
The result was unexpected | listen
ed to voice that was rich and sweet
and delightfully."- moduiated, my eyes
beheld a woman fair OF face and grace
full in bearing, and gradually the TACT
dawned upon my dazed understanding
that was enjoying the winsome ct
ing OF the lady on the stage Lady!
repeated the word questioningly, re-
membering Vans feeling speech, and
found no cause to correct myself.
The curtain fell and we looked at
one another, but no one spoke.
In the second act there was an OPP
portunity for rant, but Miss Heriot
met the situation with dignity and
more ability than could understand
in spite of my role OF unquestioning
admirer Vanderhof's face during this
passage was a study. Afterwards Cas-
sic left the box and we remained be-
hind to compare notes.
The Heriot in a new guise!" gasped
Van. "She has acquired somewhere and
somehow an air OF refinement of voice
and manner that electrifies me. why
Win, old man, years have fallen from
the woman, together with that hard
laugh that l used to abhor and the
holiness that disguised one What do
you make of it?'
Il am rather more stunned than you
are" l answered.
When the play was over Cassie
dragged us of to his bachelor home
for midnight supper Vanderhof and
! regarded each other sympathetically
now and then, during its progress. but
we said nothing in any way relating
TO our compact until the wine was
poured and the smoke rings were as
cending. Then Cassie laid back in his
huge leather chair and crossed one
knee over the other.
"Well?" said he
Cassie" said Van. slowly, Il give
in. You have an excuse for your in
fatuation and don't blame you. but
would like to withhold my final de-
cision until | see Miss Heriot on the
stage.
The fact of his saying Miss Heriot.
meant to me a surrender, but Cassie
hardly heard the last words. He turned
to me with broad grin.
"She is splendid little actress" said
]. land much more refined and woman
ly than expected. Her rejuvenation
is little short Of remarkable"
The grin disappeared and he looked
anxiously into my face.
Tell me the truth. Win" he said
gently.
Il will, Cassie-when | know It. How
well are you acquainted with the
LADY,"
Il was presented to her by the lead
ing man after the play on the second
night OF its run She came off the stage
with him and they were laughing to-
gether over some private joke of their
own, and seeing me standing there, in
cluded me in the conversation. She
was affability itself during our chat.
IIast week she went with mo twica for q