The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-01-18
yXIANTED-A
w REHEARSAL

Ne II T. "A II y al
ccopyright 1904. by Richard B. shelton.l
The play was over. The curtain had
gone down, amid tremendous APP
lause, on fitting tableau-the heroine
clasped in the heros arms; the villain,
vanquished, but defiant, glaring at
them from the papier mache arbor.
and the pair Of secondary lovers in
dulging in expressive pantomime on
balcony that threatened momentarily |
70 collapse.
True love had run its uneven course
for an hour and three-quarters, and
| after surviving series of idiotic mis-
haps, absurd doubts and all the other
obstacles an enthusiastic amateur play
wright could put In its path 1t had
emerged unscathed and triumphant.
The orchestra was playing the latest
popular march as sort Of occasional
for the admiring relatives and friends.
Lady Gatacre, still in costume, sank
YEARLY into rickety wooden chair in
one of the little anterooms near the
stage. Sir Charles Windon climbed a
pile of properties used in act and,
/ perched there precariously, rested his
chin on his upturned palms and sur
veyed the lady thoughtfully.
II suppose I should apologize" he
began tentatively. "Still would like
30 say word in self defense. May II"
4 "Go on" said Lady Gatacre colby.
/ ''Well, thought the scene demanded
Il. 1t seemed to make it more real. In
everyday life the man would have done
t."
"Well?" she said in challenge as he
paused.
"And-and SO did," he said lamely.
'And that is your excused" she ask
ID, with considerable asperity.
''If need one, yes" said he.
Lady Gatacre regarded him icily. Her
hose was elevated the fraction Of an
inch.
II suppose you realize fully the en-
barrassing position you placed me in?"
she said
"Believe me- I didn't intend to-" he
demonstrated.
"Of course you heard that very au-
, dible litter in the audience" she went
, on.
) He nodded.
at was none Of their business" he
complained.
If" she said quickly, "you hadn't
made it so apparent; if you hadn't
paused, debated as 1t We're, it wouldn't
: have been quite so conspicuous. But
, when you stopped and looked about
; and the-and them
"Kissed you,' he supplied, almost tri-
umphantly.
ooh, it was too CHASTITY evident that
s. was impromptu," she finished.
II was perfecAy willing to rehearse
t that piece Of business" he suggested.
r "It was unfair Of you" she said hot
y. Eve agreed to leave it out-that it
Il was ridiculous and unnecessary.
.'It became quite necessary when you
III that gown. I'm only hu-
g man, you know"
sYou are quite inhuman sometimes"
she observed.
IT couldn't help it." he said with
abject humility.
"Your only excuse seems to be a re-
iterated plea of responsibility" said
: she.
!. Sir Charles scratched his head and
n smiled hopefully.
II am an irresponsible party, that's
q fact" said he. "Look here, If say
u I'm sorry, do you forgive me?"
t "Sorry for what? For-for''-
. "For putting you in an embarrassing
= Lady Gatacre frowned and flushed.
e "You'll have to be sorry for both be-
e fore you're forgiven" she said.
!, "Then shall die unabsolyed," he de-
) clared with finality.
S ut seems to me you're making bad
matter worse" said she.
= "Well, turn about is fair play" he
replied. "That is just what you've
been doing the past three weeks"
81 fear l don't follow you." said
Lady Gatacre.
= "When we started rehearsing this
time" said he. II was beginning to fall
: In love with you. That was the bad
# matter Since we've been rehearsing
: you have completed what was already
# begun. That's the worse"
: He looked at her steadily. Lady Cat
d acre studied the toe Of her shoe. He
+ could see her cheeks We're crimson.
! .'rhat was why kissed you as l did
y In the garden scene," he said.
e Lady Gatacre did not deign to look
up from her shoe.
care you really very angry?" he
: asked.
very" she replied.