Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-04-24


Mr.. Richard Williams. st. Lukes Hospital.
New York:
Cheer up. Dicke. VIII be with you to-
| morrow morning. DAD.
Lord Croyland stared at the uni
formed young lady while he fumbled
fruitlessly for his monocle among the
folds of his nightshirt.
"Rotg' he observed in languid dis
| gust Haven't got dad, you know.
Some silly ass is trying to come II
cropper."
| The nobeman then turned on his pill
low and closed his eyes. while the fair
attendant looked thoughtful. took the
patients temperature and made
memorandum to the effect that his
mind had begun to wander.
Meanwhile matters at Irvington were
dragging along unsatisfactory. The
! last rehearsal Of the play had resulted
In a spirited quarrel between Miss
Imogene and her dismal fiance. Mr..
| Van der Awe was a champion Of real
ism, even on the stage. He considered
It the height Of absurdity for pas
sionate lover to imprint kisses upon
his adored ones theatrical wig near
the region Of her left ear.
"But, good gracious me- stormed
the indignant bird. with a dangerous
snap In her big blue eyes, don't you
have enough realism when we are
alone? II you think I'm going to let
hnf at
you are very much mistaken. Now,
one more word and Wen leave out that
part altogether, sir! No. don't speak
to me! Don't come near me! | think
you are perfectly hateful and ridicu-
lous. How | was ever weakminded
enough to engage myself to you at all
is more than | can understand. So
don't tempt me"
The argument had become somewhat
one sided. so the dismal one retreated
from the field of action, crestfallen, but
unconvlnced on matters pertaining to
realism. He was practical young
man, however. and decided to kiss the
wig In the region Of Its wearer's left
ear for the present. Later-ah!
Richard had made several desperate
attempts at tete-a-tete with Miss
Harriet but found her nervous, dis
trait and unsympathetic to his ad-
vances. She acted as though some
shadow OF impending trouble lay upon
her mind. so the Texan gave up In de-
spair. took short lesson in British eti-
20 NA..
and then went for a solitary horseback
ride.
His deception could not be kept up
much longer. for troubles were gather
ing above him like Longfellow's soar
Ing vultures. and he fancied he knew
one sick and wounded bison that
would shortly be pecked to pieces. hoof
and hide. And yet. no matter what hap
pened. he would braxen 1t out to the
bitter end. II he could only win the
girl before the Inevitable crash, then
nothing else would matter-nothingi
Shortly after dinner the final prepa-
rations were made for the evenings |
entertainment. A tiny stage had been
constructed at one end Of the double
drawing room and was provided with
handsome plush curtains designed to
slide upon a wlre-when they worked
properly. which was lnfrequent-whichl |
when opened revealed a dainty interior |
scene. The drawing room was arrang-
ed with chairs TO accommodate the |
guests. who began to arrive shortly |
after dinner, and Restmore soon be-
came a sparkle OF lights and laughter. |
gong announced the opening Of the |
theater doors. and the audience crowd. |
ed In. took their seats and waited with
a futter Of excitement.
Mrs. Renwyck had agreed to speak
the prologue. but at the last moment
her courage forsook her, and she VOW
ed she would sink through the tloor II
forced to face her guests Arguments
and encouragements were alike I'm
vain, so Richard was prevailed upon
TO take her place, which he did, scram-
bling through somehow. assisted by a
British drawl and his ever faithful
monocle. To judge by a fatterinC
chorus OF feminine approval. he made
the hit OF the evening though In de-
scribing his stage fright afterward he
used most un-English smile.
"Pon my word" he confessed "I
felt as II | had swallowed a live lack
rabbit that was trying to bolt eleven
ways at once. Fancyw
The play went Off without a hitch
except for one trillng incident whlcn
came near spelling 1t altogether The
dismal Mr. Van der Awe. true to his
principles on realism, forgot about the
Wig and committed the indiscretion of
kissing the bird plump upon her tempt.
ing lips. whereupon the rufiled in.
Senue gave him a most realistic box
N the ears, forgot her lines and start.
ri IN on an inpromp'u but spontaneous
'enunciatiou. This In measure
-ia1e Miss Renwyck's subsequent part
'all nat. but no one in the audience
'eemed TO know the difference, while
'oth the man aud bird agreed after
Nard that 1t improved the play.
II Miss Renwyck failed to be impress.
We IN the great denunciation scene
he same COuld NOT ~ .,ta -