The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-03
THE EVENING STORY
Agreeing With Beamish.
(By Lulu Johnson.)

1t looks like graveyard" said
Audrey, with a little shiver. as she
stared into the body of the theater.
On the stage. the open fire skylights
Hooded the bare space with light, and
created grateful draught, but the
body OF the house was swathed in
white thin cloths over the rows of the
rounded backs of seats, suggesting an
orderly row Of tombstones
In the broad foyer. back of the bal
cony' one or Manager Beamish's mum
Der two" companies went through their
rehearsal, while still another touring
orga nlzation occupied the side lobby
downstairs. but it was the Avenue
STOCK company. the pride of Beamish's
atlIactions; that occupied the stage.
Audrey Harwood smiled at the
thought that this season she was re-
nears1ng with the crack company on
the stage. instead of one of the less
important companies in the lobby.
=, Inc year before she had labored
through small part with road COM
pany, and it had not been until the
last OF the season that Basil. the gen.
efai stage manager for Beamish, had
Of inspection and had promoted her to
the metropolitan company
It's been the graveyard of many a
nlasted hope" retorted Mazda Terry.
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 discefned, 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
seat at the rear of the house. his
pudgy hands clasped across his fat
stomach. while he viciousIy chewed the
end of an unlit cigar. Beamish was
an inveterate smoker. but he lived in
dread of fire that might put his
house out of business for a time and
he never smoked in the theater-even
in his own office.
His presence made itself felt to
Howard Basil, though the latter stood
with his back to the auditorium. Some
managers eyes upon them; others
grew nervous and confused and
Audrey coming under Beamish's no
tice for the first time. failed utterly in
broke there came a grun shout from
the rear of the house and the com
pany eyed the girl commiseratingly,
while Basil dropped the rehearsal to
answer Beamishs 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
response. "She rehearses badly, and
then she is nervous because you are
II want another girl" was Beam
ish's emphatic answer Its only a
bit that she plays, but it comes in
Terry's big scene, and we can't have
that spoiled. Get rid Of her.
IF 1 thought that she would spoil
it should not have engaged her." an
swered Basil quietly. 1.-The girl will
remain in the cast
''Give the part to Ashton" ordered
Beamish. Let this girl out tomor-
row.
1T have full control of the com
panies," said Basil. whose face had
grown very white Miss Ashton can
play the part at a pinch. Miss Har-
wood can live the part. If she goes,
go"
tered Beamish.
st just mentioned the important
clause of that contract" retorted
Basil. you will break it by your own
action"
The younger man stood quietly for
a moment, while BeaInish chewed his
cigar viciously. Basil was 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 a production. Beamish rose
heavily to his feet
81 don't suppose that you will object
to Ashton understanding? ?" he asked
gruff1y.
mot in the least" said Basil. .1'u
send for her this afternoon"
He returned to the stage. Those
better voiced in the Beamish methods
had guessed that the stage manager
had been fighting for Audrey and had
told the girl 80. 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 until after the company had
been dismissed that Audrey had
chance to speak to him.
How can I ever thank your" she
said gratefully.
Basil looked down into the wistful
face. by doing as well as you posi-
bly, cam he said. ST want you to JUS
tify my judgment. and am certain
that you can. There will be an under
study here tomorrow, but don't worry.
If Beamish wants to pay any extra
salary, let him. It is seldom that he
INDUCES in that luxury"
He turned away to hide the real an
was strong upon him to take her in
his arms and tell her that he loved her
and it was because Of his love that he
had fought. To do so would seem to
be presuming upon his action. Men,
tally he cursed Beamish for raising
this barrier against his hopes.
Miss Ashton appeared the following
morning, sitting in one of the front seats
and studying the business carefully, but
Audrey played without break, and at
the dress rehearsal even Beamish was
pleased to grunt a grudging assent to
Bas.l's praise.
Then came the opening night. The
house was crowded, for II was an early
opening Of the season, and the other
thea tiers were still dark Beamisb
cleaned upon the crowd of notables
streaming into the house. He knew that
he had one of the strongest plays of the
hour. To score a hit would mean per-
hans an ail-season run at the home the
alter. and q tremendous advertisement
for the road companies.
But his hopes were GasEed when Basil