The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-04-16

cause OF the Sal0ry-Cn0t would De
only secondary consideration. I'm
a Bohemian with only myself to con-
suit, and should enjoy the novel ex-
perience, the fun Of it. Only I
shouldn't have the ghost of a chance,
of course"
I'm not so sure of that. Quite
likely Chatterton hasn't filled all va
cancies yet" cried Joe, quickly.
You're an artist; never been ON the
boards. suppose?"
"Only in amateur theatricals."
You'd be right enough In minor
parts, expect; you'd have to learn
to be a quick study, that's all. And
if you weren't above doing the daily
poster-you see, it's different show
every night. and few bills have to
be done for it in colors-I don't see
why not. especially as you say it's
more for the fun of it than any ques-
tion of salary. You leave it to me;
I know how to get round the guv'nor,
only l shall speak of you as though
we we're very old pals. My recon-
mendation will carry more weight"
They had not walked to Dalebrook.
They had found train at the station
to which jack had walked when the
thought of going to Liverpool was still
in his mind; and early that evening
had presented themselves to Mr.. Egg
bert Macready Chatterton, a famous
nan in his own line, whose portable
theater had been on the read a quar-
ter of century. A little, high-shoul-
dered man, with thin legs and glossy
locks. raven once, but now streaked
with gray, with rhetorical manner
of speech-a perfect type of the old
vanishing school of the provincial
actor CT 'the legitimate"
To Jacks surprise. Joe's recommen-
dation and his skill with brush had
secured him an engagement.
He had satisfied Mr.. Chatterton, an
exacting critic. by specimen poster
he had sketched out, and there and
then he was engaged to produce the
daily oolored bills. combining small
parts with the assisting of my bet
ter half in the scene-painting depart
ment." 1t appeared to be a cherished
de!usion on the managers part that
his wife was mainly responsible for
the scenic triumphs of their produc-
tions. Not that she ever touched a
brush herself; she merely supervised
brought, as she herself put it, her
artistic perceptions to bear on the
work, leaving the mechanical part to
others. Which meant that she worried
the scene painter out of his life by
impossible suggestions, which were the
admiration of her husband and the
despair of the artist.
Jack had been presented to her.
She was lady Of massive proper
tions, with penchant for wearing
blue velvet and sequins. who had re-
tired from the stage with increasing
years and bulk. One looked at her
and found it difficult to credit that
in her day she had played sentimental
heroines doomed to wander in snow
storms through four long acts, and
had (on her own authority been con-
sidered the best spectre" ON the
stage-"specter brides" having been
her specially.
Jack Lathom was to receive eight
cen shillings week; the salaries
Mr.. Chatterton paid could not be
called excessive-especially when II
was taken into consideration that the
evening bill consisted of a five.act
drama with farce to follow, and that
it was different play every night.
But the salary was secondary con.
sideration with Jack. He wanted q
companionship and an occupation
whilst his friends in Wildfell were
working to prove his innocence. And
it seemed to him that he was com
paratively safe from the police, who
would hardly look for him in a tour
ing theatrical company. They were
moving out of Dalebrook, out of York
shire. in a few days, going dowr
south.
On an impulse Jack Lathom crossed
over to the window and looked out a
the quiet sleeping town where bi,
new life was beginning. There wa.
something in the peaceful scene tina
stirred this hunted man strangel!
after the stress and trouble of tn
past nightmare week.-Mrs. little, old
fashioned country town that wa
probably never really awake on 81,
days out of the seven.
Today, being market day. it ha,
been busy enough, and the street
bustling and full of stir, and roun
the stone market cross in the col
bled square stalls where farmers
wives sold butter and eggs; and ou
side the inns carriers; carts standin
and loud-voiced countrymen gossipin
in groups. But now silence had fal
en-, the stalls stood cleared and bar,
and the last trap had driven back t
the outlying farm houses; the light
had died out Of the windows, the tow
had gone to sleep.
The broken moonlight splashed Ii
fronts Of the houses opposite an