The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-07
CHAPTER xI.

f~ HE dozen or more men who write what is accepted as the lSjMS3 critical opinion of New York Nssy city are generally snugly asleep in their little cots when the nomentous decisions of which they have been delivered are being read by the anxious and nervous authors, who sit up even until dawn to learn their fate. Kind newspaper publishers more kind probably than they intend ed to be to these nervous folk of the etage-have in recent years adopted a policy of issuing a special edition of their various newspapers for what is known as the midnight sale-a sale that has grown with the all night cafe and the development of the restaurant section. that has kept large number of citizens out of bed if not out of mis- chief. The philanthropic results of these so called early editions, have been at least the shortening of the tor ture of the actor who has had what is so blithely called his Broadway op- portunity."
 Despite the many friends who con- graduated him and the applause of the ushers, Holcomb knew that his piece associates in the companies that he had been in called loudly for speech at the end of the second act: but, de- spite all this and even Ludlow's eff fusive praise, he knew that his play had not 'got over"-that is, over the footlights.
 He had been surprised at Dora s prompt appearance at the rehearsal. He had taken an opportunity to thank her formally, and she had replied to him with equal reserve.
 Before the curtain went up on the night performance he went back to her dressing room and spoke more frankly:
 Dora, you have been more than kind. I showed myself very weak last night, and you showed yourself a wo- man with great courage. Whatever the outcome of this, shall never for get it.''
 They were talking through the half opened door of her dressing room. with but few minutes left for her final prepara tions. so that her Thank you, Mir. Holcomb." left him still in doubt as to whether she had under gone any change in feeling.
 He had gone back at the end of the play mainly to thank her for going through the "big scene'' as he had re- hearsed it and hoping against hope to get some expression from her that would quiet his turbulent spirit, but he found her dressing room besieged by the Wlnthrops. Elliott. Professor Full lerton and the haunting Aunt Corneiia The little conversation that they had was therefore brief and formal. and. while there was some talk of a supper party after the theater, he was quick to observe that there was no calcula. ton about having him in it and little enthusiasm about his part of the even ings venture. Vavin had left the theater after friendly handshake to catch train for Boston. where he was to deliver one of his "irrepressible lec- tures."
 '1 will return tomorrow night on the Il o'clock train. Do me the honor to have supper with me. will talk with you of your play and other things" he had said to Ho!comb.
 In a way Holcomb had expected that the play would not be a great success. but he had hoped that 1t would suffi- ciently establish him in Dora's eyes by its reception to bring them closer to- gether. He was genuinely disappoint- ed that the Winthrops and the Fuller tons had not invited him to their sup per party, and, strange as it doubtless would have seemed to the many friends in the theater who would have liked to have him for guest or host, he wandered out through the stage door. solitary, saddened and wondering where the deuce he would go to get the bite of food and drink that he needed and yet not run into some gath ering connected with his own produc- ton. He was bitterly commenting to himself on how lonely a man of pride can be when he met two or three of the minor actors of the company and joined their party gladly. and with them he sat up uatil those fatefuI early editions were spread before them and he knew that his play was a dis astrous failure.
 He would have given a great deal to be able to talk to Dora that aft ernoon, for the evening papers only re-enforced the Judgment of the morn ing papers. and the 'sale" at the box office Indicated that the public had no