The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-03-01
Bv HAROLD MacGRATH
Copyright, by the Bobbs- Merrill Company

MACH ence at the final rehearsal
SN\lS& would only add to the
XNp tension, and was therefore
unnecessary. The star
complained that her efforts to inter
pref my lines to my satisfaction were
wearing her thin, while the leading
man" declared that he could not enter
naturally into the spirit of the comedy
so long as he knew l was watching
from across the front.
To tell the truth, was not unagree-
able. There were many things l
wanted to change, and knew that II
i once got Roadway / should have to
write the play all over; and that was
not in the contract My room was
better than my company. So Shaw
gave me card to The Players and
left me there in the care of dis
tinguished fellow dramatist.
We had a capital dinner. and our
exchange of experiences would have
made a book equal in length to
Revelation"
l played a game Of billiards indif-
ferently well. peered into Booths
room and evoked his kindly spirit to
watch over my future, smoked inces-
sanity, and waited impatiently for
Shaw's promised telephone call. The
call came at 1920, and Shaw said
that three acts had gone of superbly
and that everything pointed to big
success. All at once determined to
run uptown to the theater and steal
IN to see the last act. So / called
for my hat and coat, apologized to my
friend, and went forth into the night
and romance!
Gramercy Park is always still at
night, quiet even In the very heart Of
turmoil. Only an indefinable murmur
drifted over from the crowded life Of
Broadway. / was coming some lines
thought fine, epigrams and frag-
mentary philosophy.
Hurry! We have only half an
hour!"
The voice, soft and musical, broke
the silence ere my foot had left the
last step. Amazed, / looked In the
direction whence came this symphony
Of vocal allurement. A handsome
coupe, with groom and footman. stood
ut the curb. A woman in evening
gown leaned out I stopped and
stared. The footman at the door
touched his hat. ! gazed over my
shoulder to see II any one had come
out of the club at the same time that
had. was alone.
Hurry! I have waited at least
half an hour. We haven't moment
to waste"
Some one in the upper rooms of the
club lifted a shade to open window.
and the light illuminated her features
She was young and very handsome.
To this day cannot analyze
the impulse that led me into that
carriage: Fate in the guise Of mis-
chief, Destiny In motley and out for
q lark. know not which, nor care.
II am sorry to have kept you wait
Ing" said I.
Il thought you would never come"
she answered.
Thought I would never come? Il
was silent because had nothing to
say.
'One after another they came out.
I thought you would never, never
come. had all / could do to keep
from going into the club after you!"
She tore on her long, white gloves
and hung them (savagely, thought)
into her lap.
Going into the club after me?
Heavens! What a scandal had es-
capped! What the deuce was 1t all
about. anyway? Who was I? What
was expected Of me? My nerve lost
particle Of It's strength, but could
not back out now. II was too late.
was in for some sort of excite
ment.
You will never forgive me, know,
for waiting outside q club for you"
She snuggled over to her side of the
carriage.
Yes. Will" I replied with alac-
rity. Who wouldn't forgive her! I
moved closer.
IT 10 all 20 terrible!" Her voice
was tense; there was a note of agony
h Il that was real. She was balling
Ser handkerchief. and I could see that
aer fingers were long and white and
without Jewels, though I caught the
Intermittent glimmer Of . fine neck
lace circling an adorable throat.
What q fine chance for q rascal!
I wondered II she would have me
arrested when she found out? Was I
married. single. a brother, a near
friend! What the deuce was her
trouble! Ought 1 to kiss her? NV
double was fortunate duffer. How 1 |
envied himi
Women are 90 silly sometimes. III
do not know why I was dragged into
this" she said.
Dragged into what! Had a crime
BEEN committed. or had some one run
away with another mans wife? Heav-
ems! we might be clipping and / not |
know anything about It! shivered,
not with fear. but with strange Ella
don.
How could I have done II? How
could I! Terrible!"
1T must be-" I admitted readily. |
No. . woman does not elope In her
bau gown. Perhaps we were going
after the eynks
TO think that hs would force me
INTO thing like this!"-vehemently.
4 zee that there 10 nothing left
Tor ne to do but to punch his head"