Mexico Missouri message., 1911-03-16

E2EY city are generally snugly
asleep IN their little cots when the
momentous 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 10 these nervous folk Of the
stage-have in recent years adopted
policy OF Issuing a special edition OF
their various newspapers for what IL
known as the midnight ssle-a sale
that has grown with the all night cafe
and the development Of the restaurant
section, that has kept a large number
OF citizens out Of bed II not out OF mis-
chief The philanthrQpic 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 blltheiy called his Broadway OPP
portunlty."
Despite the many friends who con
graduated him and the applause of the
ushers, Holcomb knew that his piece
had not succeeded. One or two former
associates Ia 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 ef.
fusive praise. he knew that bis 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, aud 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, I shall never for
get it"
They were talking through the half
opened door Of her dressing room.
with but a few minutes left for her
final preparations. so that her THANK
you. Mr. 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
I through the big scene" as ne had re
hearsed It and hoping against hope to
get some expression from her that
S would quiet his turbulent spirit. hut hs
/. found her dressing room besieged by
the winthrops. Elliott. Professor Ful
lerton and the haunting Aunt Cornelia
The little conversation that they had
: while there was some talk of supper
= party after the thester. he was quici
to observe that there was no calcula
D. ton about having him in II and littl,
!, enthusiasm about his part of the even
ing's venture. vavin had left tn,
theater after a friendly handshake t.
catch q train for Boston, where he was
I to deliver one of his "irrepressible lee
q lures"
II will return tomorrow night on the
II o'clock train. Do me the honor to
have supper with me. l will talk with
you Of your play and other things" hs
had said to Holcomb.
In a way Holcomb had expected thai
the play would not be a great success
but he had hoped that II would sum
), 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 man,
friends in the theater who would hav,
liked to have him for guest or host. b,
- wandered out through the stage door
= solitary. saddened and wonderin;
where the deuce he would go to &c
the bite Of food and drink that b.
;. needed and yet not run into some gath
ering connected with his own produc
b. ton He was bitterly commenting (,
D. himself on how lonely q man Of prid
can be when he met two or three o
the minor actors Of the company an,
- Joined their party gladly. aud will
them he sat up until those fatefu
+. early editions were spread before then
Is and he knew that bis play was a dis
80 astrous failure.
He would have given a great dea
. to be able TO talk to Dora that aft
II ernoOn, for the evening papers onl,
REINFORCED the judgment Of the morn
ing papers. and the SALE at the bo
office indicated that the public had n
II intention of Quarreling with the critics
% He was In and around the theate
: most Of the day. hoping that Dor
might come to the playhouse or tina
< she might at least telephone to bin
4 and condole, there being absolutely d
s reason for congratulations.
Night at last came. and be had al
excuse for seeing her. but she merel,
nodded TO him as she passed him II
~ the wings, and be turned bitterly ava,
from the stage and went out to tn
10 front OF the house 10 watch his pla,
st and see II be could see 1t as the critic
IN had. He was not entirely successful
, Ia getting their point of view. H.
saw many faults. but he still felt tina
the play had merit and that It simpl
had missed Gre. but Just where tb
fault lay be was unable to discover.
- he was glad. however. that be ha,
e. the engagement with NJ yavin. 10
- the idle chatter Of bis associates mean
nothing him H. xaaohaa a.. h..o