The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-11-08

REHEARSAL

tOopyright, 1904 by Richard 3. Shelton.1
The play was over. The curtain had
gone down, amid tremendous APP
lause, on q dtting tableauAthe heroine
ciasped in the hero's armss the villain,
sanquished, but defiant glaring at
them from the papier mache afbor
and the pair Of secondary lovers In
dulging in expressive pantomime ON q
balcony that threatened m~omentarily
to collapse.
True love had run its uneven course
for an hour and three-quarters. and
after surviving a series of idiotic mis-
haps. absurd doubts and all b other
obstacles an enthusiastic amateur play
wright could put in its path it had
emerged unscathed and triumphant
The orchestra was playing the latest
popular march as a sort of occasional
for the admiring relatives and friends
Lady Gatacre, still in costume, sank
YEARLY into a rickety wooden chair in
one of the little anterooms near b
stage. Sir Cnarles Windon climbed a
pile of properties used In act and.
perched there precariously. rested his
chin on his upturned palms and u
yeyed the lady thoughtfully.
81 suppose I should apologize" he
began tentatively. Still I would like
to say a void in self defense. May Ip
Go on" said Lady Gatacre coldly.
well, I thought the scene demanded
it. 1t seemed to make it more real. In
everyday life the man would have done
1T"
"Well?' she said in challenge as he
paused,
"And-and so I did," he said lanely.
"And that is your e~xcuse?' she ask
ed, with considerable asperity.
"If need one, yes" said he.
Lady Gatacre regarded him Jelly. Her
nose was elevated the fraction of an
inch.
II suppose you realize fully the en-
barrassing position you placed me inf'
she said.
believe me, l didn't intend to-" he
demonstrated
"Of coursc you heard that very au-
dible litter in the audienceT' she went
On.
lie 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 were, it wouldn't
have been quite SO conspicuous. But
when o stopped and looked about
and the-and them
kissed you" he supplied, almost tri-
~umphantly.
"Oh, it was too CHASTITY evident that
it was ~inpromptu," she finished.
Il was perfectly willing to rehearse
that piece of business" he suggested.
1T was unfair of you" she said hot
". I'VE agreed to leave 1t out--that it
was ridiculous and unnecessary"
1T became quite necessary when you
appeared IN that gown. I'm only hui
man. you know"
You are quite inhuman sometimes"
she observed.
Il couldn't help It," he said with
abject humility.
Your only excuse seems to be a re-
,terated plea of responsibility" said
she.
Sir Charles scratched his head and
smiled hopefully.
Il am AN irresponsible party that's
a fact" said he. Look here, II / say
I'm sorry. do you forgive meY"
Sorry for what? For-for"-
"For putting you in an embarrassing
position: fc- the other. never!t"
Lady Gatacre frowned and dushed.
you'll have to be sorry for both be
tore you're forgiven" she said.
'Then | stall die unabsolved." he de-
cIared with fnality.,
1T seems to me you're making a bad
matter worse said she.
well. turn abou is fair play" he
replied. That is just what you've
been doing the past three weeks"
q fear | don't follow you" said
Lady Gatacre.
when we started rehearsing this
time said he. 81 was beginning to fall
In love with you. That was the a
matter Since we've been rehearsinY
you have completed what was already
begun. That's the worse"
He looked at her steadily. Lady Cat
acre studied the toe of her shoe. He
could see her cheeks were crimson
THAT was why | kissed you al l did
in tie garden scene he said.
Lady Gatacre did not deign to look
up from her shoe.
"Are you really very angryF" be
asked.
Very" she replied.
He slid down from his perch and
stood beside her.
"Nhat are the specific causes or youf
anger he asked.
"Eversrhfng.' she said vaguely.
"Are you angry because / said ]
loved you2' he questioned.
She was silent.
Are YOU" he persisted.
Still shewas silent.
Sir Charles permitted himself a GOV
ert smile.