The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-12-15

that Monday night had bceu fired -
tween Clara. my self aud Mrs. Wilson
for our visit 20 the theater. Having
had TO wait q very unreasonable time for
the old lady to complete her toilette. we
did not arrive until nearly half-past sew
en- n magni6cently mounted spectacu-
lar drama was at the time In the height
OF its popularity; the consequence was
that when we presented ourselves ne the
pit pay"placc we were informed that
every scat was full. At the upper boxes
wo were received with the same intima-
ton.
On the opposite side OF the road was
a row or billboards OF various thraterS.
We crossed over TO read them. Here
is the play. my dear" cried Mrs. VIII
son. suddenly: "the Lady OF Lyous'
i saw u the very first night II was per
formed. and a lovely play Il 10. too. You
will be delighted with IL. let me see
which house IL Is at. The Corinthian.
oh. thnt. Is close by. We can get there
In n few minutes"
did not like this arrangement. Since
l had seen Mr.. Rodwell there, I desired
TO avoid the Corinthinn: besides which.
l might encounter Josiah. or Mr.. Mont
goniery. which would be awkward: for.
as ave before mentioned. neither
Clara nor Mrs. Wilson knew anything
o. my theatrical employment. But as
/ could ofer no plausible objection 10
Mrs. Wilson's proposition. I was fain
TO quietly acquiescc. 80 TO the CORN
THAN we went.
During the whole OF the play Clsrs
had been rapt In an ecStacy OF delight.
Tbs novelty Of the situation. the bril-
lance and hustle Of the house. the do
lightful music. the peculiar charm Of the
story that was being represented. It's
vivid reality. the passionate earnestncss
ot the actors, the enthusiasm Of every
one around, aud the heat OF the nimos.
~pferc--all this was overpowcring 10 a
mcibidly sensitive mind. totally unused
90 excitement Of any kind.
AS | was leaving my seat. with Clara
leaning upon my arm. | noticed n stage
box in the upper tier. There. attentive
~ observing us through n ~lorgnctte. was
Mr.. Rodwell. As quickly as possible. I
turned away, filed with that vague. bod
Ing fear which always oppressed me at
the sight OF that man. We did not re-
turn TO our frst seat, but sat at the
back. where IL was much cooler, 10 Wit
ness the remainder OF the performance.
Presently u man came aud seated
himself In the rear OF us. / thought
i recognized him as an employe behind
the scenes, and I kept my back towards
him lest he should recognize me. As the
play drew towards n close I felt a hand
laid upon my shoulder. aud on turning
round, saw that this man had risen from
his seat and was making signs 20 me.
Clara and Mrs. Wilson were b~rcathlcssly
intent upon the scene. which was the
last. glanced NJ them. ruse quietly
and moved away without their being
conscious or the movement.
You are wanted behind" said the
man. Ia a whisper. MIR. Montgomery
wants you directly. II the ladies miss
you. viii look TO them till you come
back"
do not tell where | have gone I
said.
l passed through the pit entrance and
went round TO the stage door. Mr..
Montgomery had been playing an officer
In the previous scene. aud was still In
his stage dress.
"Oh! one OF the parts you copied In
the new drama has been lost. and you
will have 10 do another" he said. Wait
n moment, and | will bring you the Ms"
ITO he continued,