The Mena weekly star., 1911-10-26

Don't You Think 1 Could Dc Iti
 Would It Be UnwomanIy7"
 'pinion of his ally. There Is too much 1t stake. Wait here, Hope, and will Ie back the very moment I learn all hat is necessary"
 A glance at the office clock con nneed Keith that, in all probability, Eiss Maclaire had not, as yet, de- parted for the scene of her evening triumph Still, 1t could not be long before she would, and he lit a cigar, htting down in a corner partially concealed by the clerks desk to wait Ter appearance. This required longer han anticipated, and fearing lest he might have missed the departure en- drely. he was about to question the busy Thomas, when he beheld Hawley enter hurriedly from the street and run up the stairs He, then, had been the laEgard All the better, as he would now have no opportunity to un- io,d his tale to the lady, as 1t would be necessary for them to hurry to the | theater. Whatever the nature of the revelation 1t would have to wait until the walk home. The excitement of ike adventure was already creeping into Keith's blood, his pulse quicken ing.
 Ths two returned almost immedi- ately, conclusively proving that Miss | Maclaire, fully dr.ssed for the street, had been awaiting the arrival of her | gallant with some impatience. Hawley was busily explaining his delay as they came down the stairs. and paid | little attention to the seemingly de- serted office Indeed, Miss Christie moropolized all his thoughts. With quick scrutiny the watcher noted the more conspicuous articles Of apparel constituting her costume-the white mantilla thrown over her head, the neatly fitting blue dress, the light cape covering the shoulders-surely 1t would not be difficult to duplicate theso, so as to pass muster under the dim light of the streets. Far enough In their rear to feel safe from obser- vation he followed, noting with in- creased pleasure the rapidity with which they covered the required dis tance. Clearly Miss Christie was al ready nervous lest she have not suf ficient time remaining in which to properly dress for her act. and there would be no exchange of condolences on the outward journey. Hawley left her, as Keith anticipated, at the stage entrance, the lady hastening within. Her escort strolled leisurefy back to the front of the house, and finally, | purchasing ticket. entered. the per formance already having begun.
 Keith knew perfectly the arrange | ment of the theater-the seats In front, tables all through the center; a gallery filled with benches; noisy orchestra beneath the stage; g crowd ed audience of men, with only here and there a scattered representative of the gentler sex; busy walters dodg- ing in and out among the tables, and down the aisles, filling orders for liquids from the nearby saloon. The air would be pungent with the odor of drink, thick with the fumes of to- bacco, and noisy with voices, except as some special favorite on the stage won temporary attention. The Troca- dero possessed but one redeeming feature-no doorway connected stage and auditorium, and the management brooked no interference with his artists It had required some nerve to originally enforce this rule, togeth CT with a smart fight or two, but al this period it was acknowledged and respected No sooner had Hawley vanished than Keith found occasion to enter into casual conversation with the doorkeeper, asking number oi questions, and leaving impressed upon the mind of that astute individ ual the idea that he was dealing witf a gent enamored of one of the stage beauties coin slipped quietly into the man hand served tn deeper thIs impression, and unlocked discree lips otherwise sworn to secrecy. Gu of much general information 8 little of real value was thus extracted Miss Maclaire's act began at 9:45 ant was over promptly at 10:1e. It re quired about twenty minutes me-a fol her to change again into stree clothes. and she usually left the thea ter imme dlately after, which would b' about l6 30 Yes, there was vesti bule outside the stage door, and oi bad nights, those waiting for the la dies could slip in there. But on sucl a night as this they generally hunt around outside. No. there was n' watchman. but the manager was fire quently prowling around. He'd b' busy. however at 10 90, getting th' stage ready for the Flying Her .t...A.rsg- eotisfad and rf