Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-03-19
"ln a Stage Box"
BY
JULIA NJ. KNIGHT

II dsWned upon his sight. a radiant
vision of youth. began 90 hsust his
thoughts. 20 intruce upon the privacy
OF mis- art Yet IL seemed now that she
had been there since the opening night.
in the left-hand stage boz single slight
girl. with a face like rose. and a flower
IN her chestnut hair.
II was a. the close OF long. hard
worked season. and they we're playlng
= brief spring engagement in the quiet
little city. and longing wearily FOR The
moment 81 release when they could fee
20 mountain fastness. or seaside resort.
for the rest SO needed in the taxing ca
rser or the actor.
Il was phenomenal engagement con
siderinE the lateness OF the season. and
Roy Stirling the leading actor. y ho was
creating some stir in the dramatic world
. BY his rare histrionic powers. had moth
ing TO ask OF The enthusiasm evoked By
his every performance He was The IA
vorits OF the hour the matinee IDOL. The
promise OF even the most captious Of
I critics on the high roaG 20 an early and
intoxicating fame yet seemingly IN
/ spoiled by IL all
Who was she1 Only a rameiess girl
/ in the fower and fragraLce OF her youth.
/ who came nightly with her gay compan-
/ ions 20 the little thcater. yet. unknow-
/ ingly. she gave Inspiration to his enest
ar. color. lile and interest TO the most
hackneyed role he vas called upon %
I portray T. vas not Juliet. in hcr bal
/ cony. 20 WHOM he poured out A's pas
! sion with southern wa NTH ard shan-
I donment the PROUD beauty 0f Lyons
20 whom he pleaded for pardon cnf
the uttie girl Ia the stage box. 90 ssr
yet so FAR. so clothed "a mystery sud
enchantment
He knew her not. her name. n~T en-
vironment. her fate. bnt each night a,
the footights frightened. the vioins
thriued In the open.n ng overture. he
great curtain rolled un 20 reveal the
fascinating mimic world. she 7at IN Nsr
accustomed place I'm IL seemed he p ly
could not go on withour her.
she IS simple. rare. unique: TO- rel
heart still untouched. her lie unwri'feu
her sensitive soul Ike that OF The posi-
! divines AL through anticipation. 10 ts
speaking face she turns 10 him. %
gray eyes that follow him about -
stage. what does she rot reves'. sui
RESPONDS 70 MS every 'ou'1 IS "a"
''o'-u ~ '"1 manu- o' aus master
4"r ACTORS. ave '" '-e n"'noV 'i "a
si'aa..on. I'...ea ann ABOUT MS la'rs
"masl." tle leading lady pou.ed I'd
pro'es'e" '"a. Ht mace 'o'- 20 'Le s'' 8
D'N ~'"' ~- '"e "'' ,."7
,"e pa, 'l' "'1' az
p" ''' 81
.-'S -
Oouta 1h.7 oe .oNe t'e secured q
lo'a 20 scoIn' "ONil rave none oi u
. Was ne ,-e man 20 oe s"ayeo oF
siF' smile i."@ MS 'e-lo"S. turned ION
, .ls -
'eAin 00l ''--'t 81 o''
q % nc ue-ie' .~. p'o-es.- -N ~IU re
4, soiNen' ou' one l.a' 'i ol a.Srn'e on ~
part OF DIS Iar AhNn""n 'aHfAr Mn
lesson IN mummy hol "eh.y 20
!. torso''etN mere nc" "c'e me m"sl
OF MS ART the eNni'ara' on. me aDSorp
= uon' lhat hau never lsil'o nm oeIoFe
ne uouse seemed empty aN1 Foiu. IN
friendly audience cold and pulseles'
no P'S' NIO' WIN '79"eu ''',' N"'
De0auSe si'. ace WAS u'i'~ns 'ToI
. as leu p''o'-
= Ineh reAil@alon came nome 10 hir
= Win succen ioFce' he kne" no" that 10
!, many weeks lhiS siFl had oeen niS sol