Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-05-13
A PRIVATE
PERFORMANCE
By a. c. GREENWOOD

end OF cigarette into the crate, de-
livered himself of dictum.
"A Irritation with an actress" he
observed, lis the apotheosis Of
youth"
knew the signs. So yawned and
stretched myself on his sofa
Go on" | said.
The Senior Subaltern tried to look
injured and innocent.
Get 1t over" | remarked, unkindly.
Twas an awful shock" he said,
packing a pipe. but it's comic to
look back on. was home from India
on long leave, and hadn't much to
do"
THE old saw-idle hands" 1
groaned. why didn't you go to
Hythe and improve your musketry-
mind?"
Il never was ambitious" said he,
shaking his head Besides. she lived
In London. She was as scrupulouS as
they make EN-"
They always are, and always will
be" / grunted. Auburn hair"
"Tushl" calculated the Senior Sub
altern. Her hair was as golden as a
field Of ripe barley. She came Of
theatrical stock"
And so had theatrical INTEREST,""
interpolated. chuckling.
The Senior Subaltern swore at me,
but ignored my attempt "She was
going on the stage. She had been on
tour, believe-some small part-but
she wanted to get a bigger one. She
had a little flat"
They always do" / put in.
In West Kensington-"
They always are" said l. wagging
my head.
The Senior Subaltern flung the
Kings Regulations at me. so sub
sided.
1T was all pink"
They al" began, and stopped as
he lifted the syphon.
The coloring suited her down to
the ground" he went on, utilizing the
syphon and tantalus. "She used to
look absolutely ripping. l was al
ways there. But she was always talk
ing of some fellow-one Sheldon. /
fancy his name was. Pins, she used
TO call him. 1t was Pins, this, and
Pins, that, till l grew to hate the
sound OF the fellows tally. At last
Pins turned up. He had buried him
self,in cottage at Brockenhurst, and
after much tribulation had evolved a
play. Then it was that Marie-that
was her name. you know"
Il didn't know, but get on"
"Marie-Marie. Well, 1t was like
this he burst out. changing his inten-
ton; I'VE were sitting in the"
Ping. Go on"
And Marie changed her seat I
was on the sofa, and she came and sat
beside me.
am worried she began.
of course / captured her hand.
Tell me all about it dear said.
i want my chance, she cried. fever
ishly. I'm waiting, and il seems so
long! | only want chance, and I'd
get on then. ! know | should
But what can l do?' ] queried
Your cousin, she murmured.
Old Bob | exclaimed. Bob Gxin-
nell, my cousin" explained the Senior
Subaltern for my edlication: man.
ager at the Terpsichorean
Yes, she faltered, biting her lips.
nervodsly. Tiff only he'd help
What could he dog / inquired.
Read Pins play. She cried. Ges-
perately
oh. lori calculated. knowing his
aversion.
It's so good. she went on. en-
Enthusiastically, and there's part writ.
ten expressly for me
Then" suffered the Senior Subal.
tern, in some confusion. "she-she
took my other hand and her great
blue eyes Wen, hang it. mani"
I'm not protesting" / said. st
Anthony fell"
Yes" he agreed; Il asked Bob as g
special favor. Bob read the play, liked
It, sent for Pins. Pins told him o.
Marie. Marie went up and saw him
But Bob was Arm. Marie should play
the lead on tour-not in London; sh,
hadn't enough experience They cas-
Miss Lesson for the West End produe
ton and gave Marie the understudy
OF course, Marie was disappointed
but she realized that / had done m,
best, and II was something, at least
TO have got her pal Pins play OF. Sh
was absolutely sweet to me-" contiu
ued the Senior Subaltern. shaking hi
head. Like an agenl'--he glance,
at mean angel, you know. and al
that The eventful day drew neal
Some aunt. or other inconvenient pei
son. thought fit to fix her funeral o.
the day before. l motored up to Scot
land; went through with it,"
Gallons beasti" / demonstrated.
1T did let me In for such lot" h
said. sadly. "of course. It wasn't m
aunt's fault exactly. travelled a
night. and arrived on the morning {
the show. ] simply few to West +
and to Marie. Somehow, going ava
and not seeing her seemed to have 81