Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-04-15
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
One day Mr. Montgomery invited me
to pay a visit to the Royal CorintlIian
Theater. There had been time when
no proposition could have been so de-
lightful to me; but since those days
had scared into higher regions OF ideal
ity than the theater could represent New
ertheless, | accepted the invitation. and
one evening / accompanied him and Jo-
siah.
While | was standing In the side
scenes, looking at the play, some stran-
gers came through a private door that
led from the boxes. They were gentle
men, dressed in full evening costume.
After a casual glance l again gave my
attention to the stage. Presently
heard a voice close behind me, whose
tones sounded familiar in my ears. Turn
ing round, | saw one of the gentlemen
talking to an actress. In an instant |
recognized Mr.. Rodwell. 1t was shock,
in which. for an instant. | forgot the
stage and everything about me- l avert
ed my head, and dared not move lest he
should recognize me. But | soon began
to think how improbable this was that
he would do so in such a situation, and
with my altered appearance.
screwed up my courage. and turned
round to leave the spot. when. just Ms |
was brushing past the object OF my
fears, adverse fortune brought Josiah
Cook across my path
Hello Silas. old fellow. how are YOU
enjoying YOURSELF" he cried, as he pass
ed me.
Instinctively | cast a glance upon Mr..
Rodwell. l saw him start and look me
full In the face. A row OF gasights
leaning against the side scene glared
full upon us both. His gaze dwelt upon
me for an instant. but he gave no sign
OF recognition. and went on talking as be-
fore. fondly hoped that he did not re-
member me.
Quick on the heels of Josiah followed
Mr.. Montgomery. He nodded to me.
and was passing on when. observing Mr..
Rodwell, he stopped suddenly stared at
him for moment, then, clapping his
hand upon his shoulder, cried in a IA
miliar tone, How do you do. Mr.. Rod
welly'
He was dressed as an old man, wore
a wig, and was otherwise disguised. The
gentleman whom he addressed honored
him with a naughty stare.
at is some time since we have met,
and | suppose you do not remember the
Professor in this dressT
Mr.. Rodwell looked disconnected at
this recontre.
81 certainly did not remember you"
he said, coldly.
did not hear more OF what passed he
tween them. and should not have heard
this had not my passage been blocked
for moment by change OF scene.
was only too glad to get away from the
vicinity as soon as | could make my es-
cape.
All enjoyment was over for that even
ing. and | would have chosen rather to
have gone home at once; but as had ac-
companed my fellow dodgers to the the
alter, l thought il would appear strange
to leave without them. SO, having OBJ
tanned permission, | went into the pit to
witness the rest Of the performance
did not see anything more OF Mr.. Rod
well that night. but l could not shake
off a feeling OF depression, and a pre-
sentiment that this meeting BODIED me
some I'll.
l waited at the stage door until my
companions were dressed But instead
of Immediately vending their way home
ward. they expressed an intention OF adj
|
upon my accompanying them. | had
never been in such place before and
the noise and smoke quite mazed me.
Mr.. Montgomery called for supper
and threw down n coin.
"Hellor' cried Josiah. staring in blank
establishment; have you been robbiug
bank ?"
mo; l have only been bleeding
friend was the answer.
soon began to very heartily wish
that l had gone home by myself Mr.
Montgomery insisted upon drinking; and
that. together with the atmosphere was
inhaling, quickly affected my brain.
When we reached RackstraN's build
ings they would not permit me to go
to my own lodgings, l must 20 into
Mrs. Jennings and spend half an hour
with them.
You don't smoke. Silas?" he said TO
me. "Oh, you should. it soothes the
brain. il lulls remorse. Tobacco is the
modern Lethe or, at all events, il it does
not obliterate old memories. it renders
you Indifferent to them, which is much
the same thing. l suppose you have no
phantoms TO fumigate. You are still
wandering in the happy regions OF limo
cence"-this with a sneer. IL had stray
ed very far wide OF them long before
was your age. At twenty was a gay.
dashing spark. At three-and-twenty l
was forbidden my fathers house. thanks
TO woman-a prayerful woman, too,
that was always reading religious books.
and never happy out OF a chapel; wom-
an with heart OF flint. All my sins
lie at her door; a wild youth might have
been succeeded by a reputable manhood.
but for her."
While he spoke his face became con
vulsed with passion. As the paroxysm
increased, the foam bubbled from his
mouth. and he launched forth into the
most frightful imprecations.
Il say, old fellow. don't 20 on in this
awful manner" said Josiah, who as well
as myself, looked rather alarmed at his
violence. "'Pon my life. | can't stand
any more OF it. and so | told you last
time. Come. tell us OF some adventures
OF your past life that ara SO Jolly anus
ing Silas. here. has never heard any
of them. You'd like TO hear some.
wouldn't your" he added. winking hard
at me.
At that moment | should have much