Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-07-11

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| your plan inc Irocadero permits no,
one but performers to come behind!
4 the scenes, SO that Hawley will bel
compelled to wait for the lady outside
the stage door. l had batter go az
once. and see to these Details
Yes" she said, her eyes SPARKLING
| with anticipation. and | am so glad
you are willing. I will be most dis.
Greet. You are not sorry made the
proposal?"
Certainly not. At first it struck me
as altogether wrong, but the more D
think OF 1t the stronger 1t appeals 81
me. 1t may reveal to us the whole
conspiracy, and l cannot believe Haw
10y would venture upon any gross
familiarity likely to cost him the goo6
opinion of his ally. There is too much
at stake. Wait here, Hope, and will
be back the very moment | learn ain
that is necessary"
glance at the Office clock con-
vinced Keith that, in all probability,
Miss Maclaire had not, as yet. de-
| parted for. the scene of her evening
triumph. Still. it could not be long
before she would, and he lit a cigar,
sitting down in corner partially
concealed by the clerks desk to wait
her appearance. This required longeri
than anticipated, and fearing lest bel
might have missed the departure en- (.
tirely, he was about to question the
busy Thomas. when he beheld Hawley
enter hurriedly from the street and
SAJy II
the laggard. All the better, as he
would now have no opportunity to un-
fold his tale to the lady, as it would
be necessary for them to hurry to the
theater. Whatever the nature of the
revelation it would have to wait until
the walk home. The excitement Of
the adventure was already creeping
into Keith's blood, his pulse quicken
ing.
| The two returned almost immedi-
ately, conclusively proving that Miss
Maclaire. fully dressed for the street,
had been awaiting the arrival of her
gallant with some Impotence. 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
monopolized all his thoughts. With
quick scrutiny tho 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 dinicult to duplicate
these, SO as to pass muster under tho
dim light Of the streets. Far enough
In their rear to feel safe from obser-
walton he followed, noting with in
creased pleasure tho rapidity with
which they covered the required dis
lance. Clearly Miss Christie was al
ready nervous lest she have not suf-
fcient 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 fastening within.
Her escort strolled leisurely back to
the front of the house, and finally,
purchasing ticket entered, the per-
Torrance 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; crowd
ed audience of men, with only here
and there 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. 1t had required some nerve
to originally enforce this rule, togeth-
er with smart fight or two but at
this period it was acknowledged and
respected. No sooner had Hawley
vanished than Keith found occasion
to enter into casual conversation with
the door-keeper, asking a number OF
| AuSSIiouS, anu leaving impressed
upon the mind of that astute individ-
ual the idea that he was dealing with
gent enamored of one of the
stage beauties. A coin slipped quietly
into the mans hand served to deepen
this impression, and unlocked discreet,
lips otherwise sworn to secrecy. Out
Of much general information a little
| of real value WAS TINS eXtracted-
Miss Maclaire's act began at 9:45 and
was over promptly at 1910. 1t re-
CURED about twenty minutes more for
her to change again into street
clothes, and she usually left the thea
ter Immediately after, which would bs
about 1920. Yes. there was vesti-
bule outside the stage door, and on
bad nights. those waiting for the la
dies could slip in there But on such
tuhx