Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1905-11-25
Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

With Miss Airline Kimbau, prima
donna of the Witches of Orloff opera
company, l had just passed through
the stage door to the street after a
matinee performance, when, from
among the bystanders grouped about
the stage door, ragged, degraded
looking man, bearing the marks of the
.ravages of drink suddenly sprang forth
and, grasping my companion about the
waist. kissed her repeatedly in spite of
her violent efforts to free herself Sup
posing him to be maniac or crazed
by drink, was SO fearful of violence
that stood for the moment unable to
move Arline's face flushed scarlet,
her black eyes flashing angrily, as she
finally broke away from him. Then
noted quick change in her demeanor.
She suddenly grew pale and her ex-
ipression softened.
Release himi" cried she in a
strange tone. do not harm him; do
not call the police"
The pitiable looking wretch when
freed from the rough hands immediate
lily bowed his head in humiliation and
lin broken voice began to beg pardon.
airline without word pressed bank
mote in his hand, then drew me hur-
,riedly toward herIcarriage. We drove
off in haste.
Amazed as 1 was at this extraordi-
mary affair, 1 was even more puzzled,
for in it there seemed to be a deeper
Significance than there should have
been in a mere sudden impulse of a
maniac. But although we were close
friends-we had been schoolmates
when girls-I felt it too delicate af-
fair to pry into. She must have per-
ceived my curiosity, however, or per-
haps expected it as most natural, for
we had been seated in the carriage but
a few moments when she addressed
me with some agitation.
Nell, you've witnessed a strange
scene All, that poor fellow. My heart
aches for him"
But your compassion is i'll de-
served" declared l warmly. "You
should have had him arrested"
mo. no, A thousand times no."
replied she with spirit. when think
to what condition he has been re-
duced I feel a strange sense of guilt,
and yet 1 know 1 cannot rightly be
censured.''
Then you have met him before?"
81 have seen him many times
though not purposely, but l have never
spoken a word with him. You see,'
she settled back in the seat little
more comfortably, 81 first knew of him
when l was playing a minor role in
''The Merry Wizard" opera, you know.
That was four years ago" She looked
refectively out of the cab window and
remained silent for some minutes,
seeming lost in reverie.
-Four years ago"
ooh, yes" resumed she, passing her
hand over her forehead. Pardon me
for breaking off so abruptly. Well 1
was making my first distinct success,
although l had but minor part.
Every one said l was accomplishing
a great deal with small opportunities
and as 1 reconsider, 1 can quite agree
with them. The Wizard had been
running but a few days when one even
ing ! received at the stage entrance
a note from a stranger Now, you
must have heard, dear, of the audaci-
GUS letters that a successful actress is
sure to receive from the opposite sex.
letters that deserve to be torn up and
thrown away without as much as open
ing them"
zone, l suppose, of the many an
noyances that you are obliged to en-
dure"
"Only too true. But this note was
quite odd in its way. The writer was
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