The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-11-24

with Miss Airline KimbaII, prlma
donna of the Witches OF Orion opera
company. | had just passed through
the stage door to the street after
matinee performance, when, from
among the bystanders grouped ABOUT |
the Stage door. a ragged, degraded ,
looking man. bearing the marks OF 'le |
rayages Of drink suddenly spranS foFih |
and. erasping my companion about 'He
waist kissed her repeatedly in spite OF
her violent efforts to free herself sup
posing him to be maniac or cTazeu
bv drink. | was so fearful OF violence
that stood Tor the moment unable 10
move. ArIine's face flushed scarlet
her black eyes flashing anSrlIy, as She
finally broke away from him. 1heh
noted a quick change in her demeahor'
She suddenly grew pale and her e1'
preston sOftened.
Release him." cried she in a
strange tone. DO not harm him; 90
not call the police"
The pitiabe looking wretch when
freed from the rough hands immediate
" bowed his head in humiliation ana
in a broken voice began to beg pardon.
Airline without a word pressed a bank
| note in his hand, then drew me hur'
riedlv toward her carriage. We drove
off in haste.
Amazed as | was at this eXtraordi-
nary affair, | was even more puzzled,
| for in it there seemed TO be deeper
significance than there should have
been in a mere sudden impulse or a
maniac. But although we were close
friends-we had been schOolmates
when girls felt it a too delicate at
fair to pry into. She must have per-
ceived my curiosity, however, or per-
haps expected it as most natural, Tor
we had been seated in the carriage but
few moments when she addressed
me with some agitation.
Nell. you've witnessed strange
scene All, that poor fellow. My heart
aches for him."
But your compassion is i'll de-
served" declared warmly. You
should have had him arrested"
mo. no, A thousand times no.
J replied she with spirit. When think
to what a condition he has been re
duced feel a strange sense OF guilt
and vet | know | cannot rightly be
Censured."
Then you have met him before?'
II have seen him many times
=, though not purposely, but | have neve
spolien a word with him. You see,
she settled back in the seat a llttt
more comfortably, Il first knew of hin
! when was playing a minor role Il
1 "The Merry Wizard" opera, you kno"
j. That was four years ago" She locke
e reflectively out of the cab window an
remained silent for some minutes
seeming lost in reverie.
-Four years ago
i "Oh, yes" resumed she, passing ne
Il hand over her forehead. Pardon m
for breaking off so abruptly. Well
n was making my first distinct success
# although | had but a minor par
Every one said | was accompllshln
a great deal with small opportunltle
and as reconsider, can quite agre
with them. The Wizard had bee
a running but few days when one eve
ing | received at the stage entran'
note from stranger. NOW, "
y, must have heard, dear, of the auda'
- ous letters that successful actress
- sure to receive from the opposite sc
u letters that deserve to be torn up al
= thrown away without as much as ope
~ ing them"
a "One. suppose, of the many
~ noyances that you are obliged to
~ iure"
~ only too true. But this note W
40 mite odd in it's way The writer W