Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-12-05
Hgreeins 9th
Bcaf11lsb.
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted, 1907, by Jessie Morgan.

IL iUOkS ilkc SfdNet diu, viii <1u-
drey, with little shiver. as she stared
into the body of the theater.
On the stage the open fire skylights
flooded the bare space with light and
created grateful draft, but the body
Of the house was swathed in white
thin cloths over the rows of the round
ed backs of seats, suggesting an order
ly row Of tombstones.
In the broad foyer back of the bal
cony one of Manager Beamish's "No.
~ companies went through its re-
hearsal, while still another touring or
ganization occupied the side lobby
downstairs, but it was the Avenue
stock company, the pride of Bea-
mish's attractions, that occupied the
stage Audrey Harwood smiled at the
thought that this season she was re-
hearsing with the crack company on
the stage instead of one of the less i'm
portant companies in the lobby.
The year before she had labored
through a small part with road COM
pany, and it had not been until the
last of the season that Basil, the gem
eral stage manager for Beamish, had
noticed her work on one of his trips
of inspection and had promoted her
to the metropolitan company.
"It's been the graveyard of many a
blasted hope" retorted Mazda Terry,
the leading lady, With a laugh, "and
Beamish is the ghoul that goes prowl-
ing around the place seeking whom he
may devour. There he comes now. Z
she added as the burly form of the
manager was discerned descending the
staircase leading from the balcony,
where he had been watching the re-
hearsal of the minor company.
Now he settled his huge bulk in a
seat at the rear of the house, his
pudgy hands clasped across his fat
stomach, while he viciously chewed
the end of an unlit cigar Beamish
was an inveterate smoker, but he
lived in dread of a fire that might put
his house out of business for time,
and he never smoked in the theater,
even in his own Office.
His presence made itself felt to How
ard Basil, though the latter stood with
his back to the auditorium. Some Of
the actors played better with the man
ayers eyes upon them, others grew
nervous and confused, and Audrey
coming under Beamish's notice for the
first time, failed utterly in her scene
As her voice faltered ana broke there
came a gruff shout from the rear of
the house, and the company eyed the
girl commiseratingl while Basil drop
ped the rehearsal to answer Beamish's
summons
"Get another girl for that part of
Mona, = was the terse command. "That
stick you've got there is rotten"
sShe will play all right" was the re-
Spouse. aShe rehearses badly, and
then she is nervous because you are
out here"
Il want another girl" was Beam
ishs emphatic answer. "It's only
bit that she plays, but it comes in
Terry's big scene, and we can't have
that spoiled. Get rid of her.
IF l thought that she would spoil
it, / should not have engaged her."
answered Basil quietly. "The girl will
remain in the cast"
s.Give the part to Ashton ordered
Beamish. ''Let this girl out tomor-
row."
II have full control of the compa
Mes" said BASIL whose face had
grown very white. Miss Ashton can
play the part at pinch. Miss Har-
wood can live the part. If she goes,
i go"
eve got you under contract" sput-
tered Beamish.
81 just mentioned the important
clause of that contract retorted Basil.
"You will break it by your own ac-
tion.''
The younger man stood quietly for a
moment, while Beamish chewed his
cigar viciously. Basil was a man
hard to replace. Moreover, he had
seen the English production of the
piece and had read the play with the
author. 1t would never do to let him
go on the eve of production. Beam
ish rose heavily to his feet.
Il don't suppose that you will object
to Ashton understanding? he asked
grufiy.
"Not in the least,' said Basil. 'sTn
send for her this afternoon"
He retu eed to the stage. Those bet
ter versed 2the Beamish methods had
guessed that the stage manager had
been fighting for Audrey and had told
the girl so. She flashed him a grateful
glance, but he merely took his place
by the table and ordered the rehearsal
of the scene over again. 1t was not
untI after the company had been dis
missed that Audrey had chance to
speak to him.
How can / ever thank your" she
said gratefully.
Basil looked down into the wistful
face. s'By doing as well as you pos