The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-11-14
Hsreeing Witb
Bcanlsb.
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted. 1907, by Jessie Morgan.

1T looks like graveyard" said Au-
drey, with little shiyer, as she stared
into the body of the theater
On the stage the open fire skyllghts
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 tho broad foyer back OF the bal
cony one of Manager Beamish's "No.
2' companies went through Its re-
bearsal, while still another touring or
ganlzation occupied the side lobby
downstairs, but 1t 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 Inn
portant companies In the lobby.
The year before she had labored
through small part with road com
pany, and 1t had not been until the
last OF the season that Basil, the gen.
eral stage manager for Beamish, had
noticed her work on one Of his trips
Of inspection and had promoted her
to the metropolitan company.
ITS been the graveyard of many a
blasted hope" retorted Mazda Terry,
the leading lady, with laugh, "and
Beamish Is the ghoul that goes prowl-
ing around the place seeking whom he
may devour. There he comes now"
she added as the burly form OF the
manager was dlscerned 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 n
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 Beamlsh
was an invcterate 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
nrd 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
coming under Beamlshs notice for the
first time, failed utterly In her scene.
As her voice faltered and broke there
came grur shout from the rear OF
the house, and the company eyed the
girl commiseratingly, while Basil drop
ped the rehearsal 10 answer Beamlsh's
summons
Get another girl for that part OF
Mona" was the terse command. THAT
stick you've got there is rotten"
''She will play all right" was the re-
sponse. ''She rehearses badly, and
then she IL nervous because you are
out here"
II want another girl" was Beam
ish's emphatic answer. Its only a
BIT that she plays. but II comes in
Terry's big scene, and we cant have
that spoiled. Get rid Of her"
"If thought that she would spoil
II, ! should not have engaged her"
answered Basil quietly "Ihe girl Will /
remain In the cast"
Give the part TO Ashton" ordered
Beamlsh. "let this girl out toInor.
row"
Il have full control OF the eompa-
nies," said Basil whose face had 4
grown very white. Miss Ashton can I
play the part at pinch. Miss Iiar
wood can live the part II she goes,
! go"
1--WE got you under contract" sput.
tered Beainish.
Il Just mentioned the important
clause OF that contract" retorted Bash. 4
''Yon will break It by your own &C
ton"
The younger man stood quietly for
moment, while Beamish chewed his
cigar yiciously Basil was man
hard 20 replace. Moreover. he lad
seen the EngIish production Of the
piece aud had read the play with The
author II would never do 10 let him
70 on the eve OF production. Beam
sh rose heavily 70 bis feet ]