The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-06-27


and was announcing in sepulchral
tones:
"Hark, ye, have explored; the
only house in sight has four rooms
and eight children. There is but one
whole ham in the settlement"
There's two now" observed Miss
Gloriana Montmorenci, leading lady,
cuttingly.
mo train south, perhaps, for days.
Why did we cross the country in the
hopes of getting to the city by a short
cut?" demanded the tragedian, dismal
| ly.
Because the constable was after
our precious traps" replied a pOrtly
boy.faced companion, fussy and i'm
portant acting, and evidently the man
ager
One by one Robert picked out the
various members of a dramatic com
pany, and he soon knew their his
tory.
IT'S horrid!" he heard a tall, will
lowy, affected lady observe, whom he
later knew to be the old woman" OF
the company What are we ever go
ing to do here to eat and sleep?"
POUNDS! but the prospect is bleak
one" replied the manager bluntly.
Gold, little one?"
Little one" was a sweet, patient
faced girl, who seemed ever shadowed
by the lofty superiority Of the leading
lady. Her winsome ways attracted
Robert. She did not look as though
used to the rigors of the checkered ca
reer common 70 her Older compan-
ions.
Robert was interested in studying
the queer group of humanity for some
time. He pretty we'll comprehended
their forlorn, stranded situation, and
felt sincerely sorry for them. Then
a sleigh came plowing through tho
drifts, and he was drivenxto Hampton
Hall.
1t was strange how Things came
about, but it seemed chat in can
vassing the district for food and
harborage, Mr.. Harold Montague, the
tragedian, applied at Hampton Hall.
In all respects Mr.. Tresham was hos
pitable Especially did he have
sneahng fondness for actors. To the
delight Of the stranded troupe the
doors Of the great comfortable hall
were thrown open to them, baggage
and all, and that night the snowstorm
so increased that it looked as though
they were banked in for a week to
come.
AS said, Uncle Gilbert was in one
of his dark moods. He kept pretty
close to his own apartments. Myra,
however, was delighted to hustle
about and make her children of the
soul" guests happy. She came to her
lover the next morning with eyes
dancing, and her pretty face all arflush
with eager excitement
"Oh, Robert" she cried, 81 have
such brilliant idea-listen-"
"All day long" declared Robertrwith |
ardor, with those pretty lips of yours
SO close to my willing ear Zounds!
as our tragedian friend observes" he
added, "splendid"'
Whatever was Splendid" it was
kept a closely guarded secret from
Uncle Gilbert until the next evening.
Then, wondering what capricious
fancy Myra was exploiting now, he
was led to the roomy billiard room
If the hall
1t was all ablazeewith light. At one
end was stage. Before it was
string orchestra Of four pieces. A
neatly written program was furnished
Uncle Gilbert. 1t read: First pro-
luction Of the great drama Of "A Mod
ern Lear by Gilbert Tresham, ESQ.,"
md the cast, with real actors, fol-
owed.
If ever there was man suffused in
| glow Of perfect happiness, it was
he astonished and delighted author.
The actors, in warm-heaTted gratitude
or their royal entertainment, did
heir best. On short notice they had
earned their parts. Montague was in
is element, Miss Montnorenci crush
ngly grand, and the little one,
'lduJo mtICGIb WILL a. o"GSLJ LlOuC0b
ut striking part, played the same so
athetically that even the. author was
lelted to tears.
"Who could help feel and act those
eautiful sentiments Of yours, Mr..
'reshanls" said Gladys, when she was
banked and complimented by Uncle
ilbert. "Oh, your play will some day
e a grand success"
Uncle Gilbert was no longer in the
jumps. RoHlsed into hopefulness and
he made friends and boon |
Of his strange guests.
Miss Mon tmorenci made a great eff
'rt to capt ure him, but Gladys clear
was his favorite. Her father had
zen a not ed actor, and she taught {
m more about the practical drama {
two daI IS than he had acquired
In twenty years. {
well, RI jbert, they have gone" said
yra four lays later, "but one Of them
coming back in month" ]
"You mes IN Gladys?' {
"Yes, Ro bert. There is to be {
edding, an Uncle Gilbert at last has
me one tc take care of him." !
There was q double wedding at
ampton Fl ALL and the long engage
ent of M! yra and Robert was at a
-ppy end at last
'Csoyt,rfs,h4 1h1o r., 11y ~ St,anronuN u