The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-05-13
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paid, but nevertheless every one was
there, for it was a very important first
Knight indeed
hair.
There was no need, for each individual
member of the company was quite as SEN
sible of the gravity of the situation as
he. quite as conscious of his or her par
ticular. Importance upon this particular
horizon, but 1t was the proper thing to do.
and he did ii.
Men and women, clammy handed with
nervousness, stood about at the entrance
waiting for their cues
Meanwhile. in her little dressing room
close to the side the leading lady was
standing before a long glass. She rubbed
powder puff over her face while the
dresser arranged the lace on her bodice.
She was an exquisite picture-a modern
to the finger tips-a tall, slim woman
with haunting eyes. The pun ffseemed to
caress her soft white throat as if it loved
il.
There was a light knock on the door.
The dresser looked up into her mistress
face and the mistress looked into the
dresser's face. while the red blood mount
ed showing pink under the makeup.
The dresser opened the door softly and
went out
Have you come to wish me luck?"
asked the beautiful woman, turning from
her reflection to look into a mans gray
eyes.
Yes, and my luck is your luck, Laura
..And mine yours she answered. snlil-
ing.
Both her hands were In his, and they
trembled
You are nervous?"
Terribly. If 1 should fail and spoil
your play?''
1T is that very nervousness, love. that
tells me you viii no he answered. bend
ing to kiss her hair.
He would have taken her in his arms,
but she gave a little cry.
Are you mad. George? Look at me-"
And he did look, and his eyes were full
Of love.
You ought TO be in front, you know.
Why. you're missing 1t all-the first night
of your own play. Do you realize the
gravity Of it?"
1T doesn't begin until you come on" he
answered. You are the play and the play
is you
Then good luck to US BOTH" she said
earnestly.
A knock at the door.
Teh call-boy stood with staring eyes and
hair on end.
Not a waltz" gasped Laura
mo. miss. not quite replied thee boy.
The dresser was on his heels. She lifted
her mistress train from the ground and
followed her out into the wings.
The house was very quiet.
1T is going we'll" she thought. Her
lips moved softly in little prayer. She
was unknown. No one had heard whether
she was clever or not. There had been 40
previous paragraphs to raise the faintest
expectation. There was no vulgar big
lettering of her name The house was
there to see the play. for George Temple
ton was looked upon as the coming dra-
matist There was vague interest among
o few of the jaded critics as to who Laura
Hebden might be.
New blood of course said one.
always acceptable" murmured anoth- |
Or.
I'VE shall see said a third.
Seems to me some one told me Temple |
tons gagged to her., exclaimed a fourth, |
eotto voice
Lord help U.S." whispered another.
'.what a risk, She'll probably damn |
the thing"
No one knew that but for her the play |
would never have been written; that the |
man hidden behind a curtain in the stage
box with eyes riveted upon the door |
where she would enter owed inspiration. |
everything that was best in him. to the |
touch of her soft fingers and the light of |
her dark eyes.
When she entered there was no ap- |
plause. no sound of greeting.
'-She glided slowly and noiselessly on TO
the stage, and the house looked in wonder
ut her beauty, but expressed itself in
silence.
Laura had caught the glow in her low
er's eyes; she needed no more than that.
The act was nearly over when she ap-
peared
AT the lowering of the curtain some ap-
plause and a hubbub of voices People
leaned over one another's stall. Critics
knotted themselves in groups to ascer-
tain one anothers feelings. The impress
sion left by the first act was decidedly
questionable.
We'll. what d'you think of herr" asked
one
Early days" answered the other
Fine eyes,
''What a voicei"
Graceful
"H-m.'
wait suggested cynic.
People hustled to their places and once
more the house was still
About half way through the act some
one coughed. Several angry faces were
turned toward the offender suggestive of
The crime was not re-
peated.
At the end of the act the curtain had to
be raised dozen times. The excitement
In the house was tremendous.
George Templeton walked on air to the
DOOR of Lauras dressing room. On being
admitted he found her with face flushed
and shining eyes
f'You are magnificent" he cried.
| oh. no" she said softly. lit is you
who are magnificent. 1 only echo you"
And what an eoho,"
She had been perfectly sincere. but it
hurt her. even then, that he did not con-
tradict her
You must CO. she said quickly. You
know l have tremendous change here
and there's not much time You may
kiss me"
The third act was the great act of the
play. and Lauras almost entirely. She
wore a long. sweeping dress. having in
II the duh. changing lights of absinthe
1t was quiet. terrible scene There was
no tearing a passion to tatters. II was