Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-03-03
CHAPTER XIV

One day Mr.. Montgomery invited me
to pay a visit to the Royal Corinthian
Theater. There had been a 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 I accompanied him and Jo-
siah.
While I 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 casual glance 1 again gave my
attention to the stage. Presently l
heard a voice close behind me, whose
tones sounded familiar in my ears. Turn
ing round, I saw one Of the gentlemen
talking to an actress. In an instant 1
recognized Mr.. Rodwell. 1t was shock,
in which, for an instant, l forgot the
stage and everything about me. l avert
ed my head, and dared not move lest he
should recognize me. But l soon began
to think how improbable this was that
he would do so in such a situation, and
| with my altered appearance.
l screwed up my courage, and turned
| round to leave the spot, when, just as
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? p he cried, as he pass
ed me.
Instinctively cast a glance upon Mr..
Rodwell. 1 saw him start and look me
full in the face. A row of gaslights
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. l 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 a moment, then, clapping his
hand upon his shoulder, cried i'll ia
miliar tone, "How do you do, Mr.. Rod
wellY
He was dressed as an old man, wore
wig, and was otherwise disguised. The
| gentleman whom he addressed honored
him with naughty stare.
| SIT is some time since we have met,
and I suppose you do not remember the
Professor in this dressP"
Mr.. RodweI looked disconnected at
| this recontre.
| 81 certainly did not remember you, -
he said, coldly.
| / did not hear more of what passed be-
! tween them, and should not have heard
this had not my passage been blocked
for a moment by change of scene.
was only too glad to get away from the
vicinity as soon as I could make my es.
| cape.
All enjoyment was over for that even.
ing. and l would have chosen rather to
have gone home at once; but as had ac
companied my fellow dodgers to the the
ater, l thought it would appear strange
to leave without them. So, having OBJ
tained permission, 1 went into the pit tc
witness the rest Of the performance.
did not see anything more of Mr.. Rod
well that night, but 1 could not shake
off a feeling of depression, and a pre-
sentiment that this meeting boded me
some i'll.
waited at the stage door until my
companions were dressed. But instead
of Immediately vending their way home
ward, they expressed an intention Of ad
journing to public house. and insisted
upon my accompanying them. l hat
never been in such place before, ant
the noise and smoke quite mazed me.
Mr.. Montgomery called for supper
and threw down coin.
"Hellov' cried Josiah, staring in blanl
astonishment; "have you been robbing
bank p
mo; I have only been bleeding
friend,' was the answer.
, I soon began to very heartily wisl
that I had gone home by myself. MI
!, Montgomery insisted upon drinking; an,
that, together with the atmosphere 1 wa
inhaling, quickly affected my brain.
When We reached Rackstraw's build
ings they would not permit me to g
to my own lodgings. l must go int
Mrs. Jennings and spend half an hou
with them.
: "You don't smoke. Silas?" he said t