The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1904-03-25
"In a Stage Box"
BY
JULIA NJ. KNIGHT

GaWned upon his sight a radiant
vision of youth; began TO haunt his
thoughts, to intrude upon the privacy
of his art. Yet ii seemed now that she
had been there since the opening night
IL the left-hand stage box, single slight
girl, with face like a rose, and a flower
in her chestnut hair.
II was at the close of long, hard
worked season, and they were playing
a brief spring engagement in the quiet
little city, and longing YEARLY for the
moment of release when they could flee
10 mountain fastness, or seaside resort.
for the rest SO needed in the taxing ca
reer of the actor.
II was phenomenal engagement con-
ridering the lateness of the season, and
Roy Stirling. the leading actor. who was
creating some stir in the dramatic world
BY his rare histrioniC powers. had moth
ing 70 ask of the enthusiasm evoked by
his every performance He was the IA
v6rte OF the hour, the matinee idol, the
promise of even the most captious Of
critics, on the high road TO an early and
intoxicating fame. yet seemingly I'M
spoiled by il all
Who was she? Only a nameless girl
IN the flower and fragrance OF her youth
Who anne nightly with her gay compan-
tens TO the little theater; yet. unknow-
iHgly, she gave inspiration to his finest
ar. color. life and interest TO the most
tackueyed role he was called upon to
portray. II was not juliet, in her bal
teny 70 whom he poured out his pas
tioH with southern warmth and aban-
comment. the proud beauty Of Lyons.
to whom he pleaded for pardon. but
the little girl in the stage box; so near.
81 50 far. SO clothed in mystery and
GHcEautment.
lie knew her not. her name. her en-
v#rarment. her fate but each night as
the footlights frightened tie violins
tHr.8ed in the opening overture. the
Freat curtain rolled up to=reveal the
fascinating mimic wcrld. she sat IN her
accustomed place till it seemed he play
cesse Rot 90 on without her
She is simple. rare unique; for her
lar still untouched her life unwritten.
tsr sensitive soul .iLe that OF the poet
tEIres all through anticipation; in the
speaking face she turns 10 him. the
Efay eye tEat follow him about the
sag what does she not reveal: she
responds 10 his every touch as a rare
violin 20 tie hand Of its master.
Tie actors. alive to the humor Of the
tifuatton. rallied him about his latest
mash. the Leading lady pouted, and
protested that he made love to the stage
box rather than the rightful heroine of
TIE pay He laughed. frowned. and
turned them aside. hut their careless
raiiiery fingered in his thought. con-
tfmeG his own fears and forebodings.
Could this be love- He secuted the
iGea 20 scorn. would have none of il.
Was he the man to be swayed by 4
Eri's smile like his fellows. turned from
rs great ambition, his career, by a
cream BETTING a schoolboy?
So he believed protested and re-
solved; but one night Of absence on the
part of his fair unknown taught him
q lesson in humility not lightly to be
forgotten. Where now were the magic
az his art the exhilaration the absorp-
uoL, that had never failed him before?
The house seemed empty and void. the
friendly audience cold and pulseless.
the play moved with leaden feet, and all
because girls face was missing from
It's accustomed place.
Then realization came home to him
with sudden force; lie knew now that for
maGy weeks this girl had been his sole
sudlence. his gentlest critic. warmest
Admirer, most innocent deyotee.
To her he had looked for inspiration.
response. sympathy, and she had never
failed him. When the thunder Of ap-
r.ause rang in his ears. ana he came
before the curtain again and again to
tow his Acknowledgements. he was ever
conscious of more delicate homage
tomiug from that box so close TO his
hand, ike the fragrance from a flower.
Only a girl unknown to fame. yet for
ito tlme she had ruled him. man Of the
World, student. actor that he was. and
b could not escape Ter subtle spell. the
s4ken meshes Of the net she had not
fte eoquetry 10 throw Il was passing
uranee, yet the humiliaiing fact was
revealed 70 him in the sense OF loss her
tlst'ce brought. Nbi,h could not be rea-
foEod away or dispelied by his most
heroic resolves.
#kru NEXT she cane with a gay. girl
ish -hFoug he could have taxed her
harniy for her absence. bur his own
taeFauey aud spirit returned. ard he
tHe never portrayed BIS liant role bet
- % they sad
~ this time h had become aequaint-
g With all The habtues Of that box.
Tie youthful. vivacious mother. The
istotafly father. the girl companions
tne an occasional admirer who seeks in
TAN 10 divert her attention from The
race Were she an aspirant for his
HioHtc hon3rs she could not give The
D. nIe lie passing before her a more
Absorbed and undivided attention, could
cot show a more subtle recognition Of
Ia "a. @ s.sf p Il