The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-08-18
IN HEAVENS NAME HE BEGAN.

from the ranch, thrust handful of
cigars toward him and wished him
luck Oh his thirty mile drive back.
Hadn't you better % back to the
ranch with me-" the puncher suggest
ed.
NO" siid Overton ana added slr-
donically: Think Ill 90 the town to-
night There's hotel here, isn't
there?"
The others grin broadened.
There's a place that goes by that
name" said he. Hop in. I'll drive
you back there"
Overton picked up one of the suit
cases and climbed into the wagon
They bumped along tie street and
pulled up before Il rambling wooden
building in front of which sign.
which the weather had rendered illegi
bic, creaked in the wind.
Overton babe his driver gooIry
wished him luck once more and theu
entered the hotel. The office was not
inviting: neither was the proprietor.
who lounged in his shirt sleeves be
hind the desk. Oyerton's heart sank.
The twenty-four hours he must wait
here for the next train babe fair to
drag heavily He wrote his name on
the smudgy register
The proprietor adjusted his spectu-
cles, looked ut the signature and then
frankly scanned his guest.
We'll" he drawed. Il amt got
much in the way of accommodations
for you. First two floors is all took
up by theatrical company playing
here this week Have to put you at
the top of the house"
"All right" said Overton shortly.
The proprietor eyed tl.a suit case
knowingly.
WIN 5 your line" hn ied affably.
cigars or patent med i'm q"
Neither" srowled Over,on, and the
proprietor l}psed into silence.
Overton sat in the dingy office smok-
ing modify until supper was an
nounced The meal was happy dis
appointment, and after it was finished
Overton felt decidedly better natured.
Returning 10 the office he stood before
a gaudy poster which announced that
''the Gordon-Stal!ey company. an all
star combination will be seen at the
Sandstone Opera House the week of
! June g."
He ran his eye over the repertory.
AS You Like It. was billed for that
evening. Shakespeare in Sandstone
babe fair to be amusing. He would
take in the show
! At o'clock he repaired to the opera
house and bought his seat. The place
was bare and dingy, redolent, too. of
| must and kerosene. Shakespeare was
/ evidently not TO Sandstone's taste,
for but few Of the seats were flied.
Before the stage a piano. badly out Of
/ tone, was being maltreated by bald
headed man with black side whiskers
The overture came to an end. the
curtain went up, and the all star pro
duction of 'As You Like It. began.
1t was a disappointing affair
neither good enough to be interesting
nor bad enough TO be ridiculous 1t
was simply dull. colorless. Overton
1 leaning back in his seat. smothered
several yavns ana then dozed inter
/ mittently. As well doze here as in
/ the hotel Office. he told himself gloom
lily.
/ Suddenly be sat UP. wide awake
I Rosalind was on the stage. and some
/ thing in Rosalind's voice was very
very familiar He leaned forward.
staring frankly. He watched Rosa
lind's every move he listened to every
information of her voice He was aware
Of tightening at his throat and a
tingling sensation in his fingers.
OF course it was only some one alb
sur1ly like her. he told himself, and
yet, when the first act was finished,
he sought the drowsy individual who
served as usher and drew a card from
his case.
Take this to Miss-er"-he consult
ed his programme-"A Miss Lee he
said.
The usher demurred. ORDERS is not
to let any one behind the scenes" he
declared.
Overton produced dollar bill. BET
ter try" he said. smuggling it into the
ushers hand
! The man departed. but a moment