The Washington times., 1909-01-05
CHAPTER VIII.
BURIED HOPES.

bulged as If they would spring
from their sockets az he gazed
al the stage and realized the one thing
he dreaded had happened.
Behind the scenes could be heard
dire confusion as the stage hands made
vain efforts to catch the frightened
horse. Then there was the violent ring
ing of the bill directing the lowering of
the curtain. and after a delay that
seemed an age TO the now thoroughly
startled audience, it descended with a
rush and shut out the scene of wreck
age being enacted before them.
For LRngdou's fears had not proved
grOundless. As Miss Bowling advanced
TO the foOtliEhts, bowling and smiling,
the horse, left TO himself. pricked up
his ears, Then as the applause burst
forth louder than ever. the beasts nos
triIs distended and with a loud snort
he leaped toward the rear of the stage.
With one bound he cleared the setting
that represented the garden wall and
plunged head first through the back
drop.
AS the horse tore through the set
ting ripping a large. ragged hole in
it. the wooden braces splinteTed ana
broke and the entire scene collapsed
with a crash Miss Bowling, who had
turned at the first noise, stared at the
debris for an instant, then as the
scenery toppled toward her. dashed of
the stage just in time TO prevent being
buried beneath il.
AS the curtain fell Langdon came
out OF the condition Of semi-conscious-
ness into which the contamination of
his fears had thrown him.
Without a word he grssped Fan
shaw's arm I'm a grip OF steel and
dragged him from the box Meanwhile
some Of the more timidf ones in the
audience were leaving their seats, while
others who had risen sat down again
as the noise and cOmmotion on the
stage. suddenly ceased.
Langdon. still pulling Fanshaw after
him, rushed toward the door and push
ing it open, halted as he stepped upon
the stage. With one glance he took
in the chaos and confusion that Teigned
there.
His grip upon FaHshsw's arm zoos
ened, his hand fell Imply 10 his side
and he strobe TO the center OF the ruin.
where Miss Bowling stood staring va
cantIy at the wrecked scenery, while
bitter tears coursed down her checks.
I,anEdon reached her side unnOticed,
and placing his hand lightly upon her
shoulder, moaned. "T knew it would
come" There was a dry sob In his
throat.
Miss Bowling looked up into his face
You lzneW-whatI'
"That this horse-should have been
left out"
..Rpt surely we can't be blamed" a
voice. exclaimed. and they both turned
70 face Fanshaw.
A. that instant Webster caught sight
If the little group and thrusting aside
some Of the stage hands and members
~ rbe company he strobe up 20 the two
authors.
"Rut- but Laugdon stammeTed,
something must be done, and done
Tel me what and I'll do it," Webster
/ sneered.
ALREADY the audience is growing ttst-
/ less"
Audience he hanged The manager
! exclaimed angrIly. What use is an
audience nowt
TanEdOn noted the nypric57 "a blcA
sion on the managers face and II
brought with 81 fresh alarm.
"You don't mean he began
Meant tie other interrupted
..Confouud it, man, we can give the
Er1a,- without settings. n there only was
> ,5,egars.nf one FOR each act, we might
/ % on with the show. But as IL is
he waved his hands toward the wreck
age the stage hands were already clear
! ing away.
"Boys-RirIs-evers body! I'm done.
7 he added.
Miss Bowling staggered back ar these
words As for LBugdOn and Fanshaw,
| tbev only stared blankly at the lnau-it
seemed as If their disappointment and
GRIEF had reached their limit But no
one spoke.
! NO. We can't 80 on with the per
rormau.e." Webster continued. Hang
I it all. it's just my luck
And mime" Iangdon burst out
Cant We continue some way?"
How can weg' the manager de-
mauded.
"f,yUlain the accident to the audi
|enee.~ Iaugdcu suggested desperately.
CYL 20 it,
what's the"
But Tangdon quickly interrupted.
.'Why not give tine resj Of the play
/ without Che setting?"
/ And make ourselves the laughing
stock of the city" the other returned
|sarcasticaIIy. what fun the critics
would have
/ "BGt It's only for tonight" Fanshaw
pleaded I'VE can have a new setting
! ..-.r..,-rafag 5,afgva fgf1grrov- r--ar.fv.r,rs