Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-22


mtting himself At the psychic juncture when un-
wise Mrs Wyatt had begun to boast of Gus's atten-
tions her daughter her more astute niece showed
sudden Indifference, and began to play Ed Davis
against him. This piqued Gus into determining to
master the situation; and successful his ef-
forts that the Behman Supply Company hence
forth to have the privilege of settling pretty Anna
bells bills-by no means limited
They had chosen New York for their wedding jour-
ney and as Mrs Wyatt was going to town for her
daughters first appearance they generously permitted
her to accompany them.
"Itll be comforting to know there's somebody from
Bakersville to take my last words in case there's
wreck" said the good SOUL Madeline has sent us
tickets for the first night She is appearing in a
stage version of 'Hypatia."
Il haven't had much chance to talk with Madeline
yet said Mrs. Wyatt. when the usher showed her to
the seats where the Behmans were already installed
81 suppose she asked all about the wedding?" ques-
toned Annabel complacently.
"she was so busy guess that's why she forgot"
apologized the mother.
How does she look?"
We'll, don't think New York clothes are becom-
ing to her, they awfully plain. I've sent her
good allowance. but l guess Mrs. Gilvery's poor
manager, None of the childs frocks have much trim
ming; must touch them up bit Some embroidered
grapes down the front of her dress would help
it wonderfully"
The curtain rose a street in Alexandria,
with all the fathfulness of detail and lavish perfec-
on OF setting which mark the master OF stage craft
Pupils, philosophers and followers thronged the mar
Bile steps of the lecture-room discussing in frag-
mentary fashion the tension between governor and
bishop. while they waited in growing impatience for
the coming of their divinity
Mrs. Wyatt conscious of overwhelming sick
ening disappointment her daughter came on the
stage, Surely leading lady she ought to be priv
ileged to fine clothes and curly, brown wig
and oh. heavens she nearly barefooted?
But the trained metropolitan eye saw at glance
the eted glory of red hair the queenly poise of the
small head the Parian whiteness of the throat and
arms, the exquisite symmetry of outline. the profile
purely Greek as Athene. but truly woman
There was a splendid burst of applause which
deepened the audience caught the first direct look
of her eyes. dark-browed. dark-lashed dark-p -puped
the iris a wonderful green. like peaceful But
even her beauty not alluring than her voice.
with plaintive minor in its notes of liquid gold.
or her supple grace of movement So might the
Winged Victory have walked in the morning of the
nations.
"r wish Madeline would talk a little louder" whis-
pered Mrs Wyatt nervously. "She just to for
get that she's acting. Why, the slave who didn't
have but line to say said 1t great deal louder and
with more elocuton than Madeline"
"But l couldn't understand her. and can hear
(Ius
Aunt Efie is quite right" said Annabe ANY
body could tell that the slave really isn't slave.
but Madeline is behaving just as If she was born and
raised in Greeceshe doesn't seem like herself at ALL
l call that afectation. not acting"
The monks were chanting vespers. and as the last
note died away they seemed to melt into the gather
ing dmness as they slipped out of the great doors OF
the cathedral Twilight fell into darkness There
was no light the rays shed by the altar candles
on the white Crucihx. Far off there came dull,
hoarse cry strangely in contrast with the peaceful
evensong of the monks. 1t grew and deepened into
that appalling inhuman undertone which means the
blood thirst horrible to hear from a pursuing pack
of wolves but more awful, more unnatural, from a
mob of frenzed human beings. They were driving
their quarry to the church, their yes echoed
from the vaulted roof as they swept her up to the
very altar.
There she suddenly turned and faced her pursuers.
Her glorious hair dsheveled and fell about her
barred shoulders from which fanatics had torn the
robe In her white purity. in her exquisite youthiui-
ness her face pale. but with eyes calm and unafrald
for she stood at sanctuary under the cross.
Then the maddened mob beat about her. swept her
down in their wolfsh force-and the lights hckered'
went out and deep darkness fell
There was silence in the audience for moment,
the sound of women sobbing, and then the lights
flashed on and wave after wave of tumultous ap-
plause demanded the star.
The happy tears running down Mrs WyatTs
cheeks cub reporter rushed by to write his copy
1.-THE most beautiful creature in the world they
heard him exclaim.
81 always thought" began Gus, and stoppeu'
Annabel was sticking in her hatpins with unneces-