The Irish standard., 1913-04-05

ady. Her .winpome ways attracted,
Robert She did not look - though
ased to the; riSors Of the oheokered ca
reer common to her older oompan.
ons.
Robert was interested in studying
The queer group Of humanity for some
ime. He pretty we'll comprehended
their forlorn. stranded situation. and
felt sincerely sorry for them. Then.
I sleigh came blowing through tho
drifts. and he was driven to Hampton
Hall.
It was strange how things came
about. but 1t seemed that in can
wasting the district for food and
harborage. Mr.. Harold Montague, the
trsgedian, applied al Hampton Hall.
In all respects Mr.. Tresham was hos.
pitable. Especially did he have .
sneaking 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
30 increased that 1t looked as though
they were banked in for 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 a-flush
with eager excitement.
"Oh, Robert!". she cried, II have
such a brilliant idea-listen."
Cali day long," declared Robert with
erdor, with those pretty lips of yours
so close to my willing ear. POUNDS!
as our tragedian friend observes" he
added, Splendid"
Whatever was splendid" 1t 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
of the hall
1t was all ablaze with light. At one
end was a stage Before 1t WAS a
string orchestra of four pieces. A
neatly written program was furnished
Uncle Gilbert. it read: First pro-
duction of the great drama of "A Mod
ern Lear by Gilbert Tresham, ESQ.,,
and the cast, with real actors, fol
lowed
If ever there was a man suffused In
a glow Of perfect happiness. 1t was
the astonished and delighted author
The actors, in warm-hearted gratitude
for their royal. entertainment, did
their best. On short notice they had
learned their parts Montague was In
his element, Miss Montmorenci crush
ingly grand, and the little one,
Gladys Mercer, With a sweet. modest
but striking part played the same sc
pathetically that even the author was
melted to tears
"Who could help feel and act those
beautiful sentiments Of yours. Mr.
Tresham," said Gladys, when she wa:
thanked and complimented by Uncle
Gilbert. "Oh, your play will some de-!
be a grand success"
Uncle Gilbert was no longer in tn
dumps. Reused into hopefulness AM
enthusiasm, he made friends and bool
companions of his strange guests.
Miss Montmorenci made a great ei
fort to capture him, but Gladys clear
ly was his favorite. Her father hal
been d noted actor, and she laugh
him more about the practical drama
in two. days than he had acquired
theoretically in twenty years.
well, Robert. they have gone" sal
Myra four days later, "but one Of then
is coming back in a month"
"You mean Gladys?"
Eyes, Robert. There is to be
wedding, and Uncle Gilbert at last ha
some one to take care of him."
There was double wedding a
Hampton Hall, and the long engage
ment Of Myra and Robert was at
happy end at last.
Copyright. 1913. by w. G. Chapman.)