The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-10-23
CHAPTER XXI.
From the Top Gallery.

From the Top Gallery.
On the same night that Zilla Paget
took up her residence in the Went
worth home Grant Oswald sat beside
his desk, debating letters to his Sec
rotary. He listened while the tinkle
of the overture ceased.
HAS Mr.. Wentworth come in YETI
he asked when an usher entered with
a telegram.
mo, sir; we're watching for him.
Nobody has seen him."
ASK him to come here as soon as
he arrives"
None of the employees of the Gotham
recognized a man beside the stair or
the upper gallery, where a steep iron
railing jutted out upon the side
street. The rain fell softly and he was
mutf1ed to the chin in drab overcoat.
A felt hat was drawn over his eyes.
He emerged suddenly from the shadow
to lay his hand upon the arm of a
boy who went springing up the grated
stair.
Here, do, you want to sell your
ticket for dollar?" he asked.
Sure" cried the boy emphatically.
Say, mister, why don't We buy one
fer yerself? They're fifty cents, If
yet git in line at the window"
II don't want to stand in line"
The boy thrust the slip Of paste
board into Wentworth's hand. seized
the money, and fed to take his place
at the end Of the line which struggled
round the corner from Broadway.
Enoch waited until a throng began
to press its way up the steps. He
pulled his hat down close about his
When he reached out his hand to the
attendant at the door, the man did not
look at him; he was trying to stem
a tide Of human beings and make GER
tain that each one had paid his way.
Wentworth moved inside the door
he passed to an end seat In the third
row. He laid his hat upon the floor,
pulled off his damp coat, and waited
for the curtain to rise.
The curtain rose. People who sat
close under the roof listened with a
tense stiffness, which was never dis
turbed by the rustic that occasionally
ran through the orchestra. The story
OF the play had grown old, threadbare
and uninteresting to Wentworth, but
It moved these men and women to the
quick. During the first act the girl
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and spoke in a tremulous whisper:
She's a cruel DEVIL"
Her eyes were bent with hatred and
scorn upon Zilla Paget, who stood
looking down at Merry. His guilt had
been discovered. He sat beside table
with his face hidden in his out
stretched arms, while the wife hurled
upon him torrent Of bitter contume-
1y. Once his body shook with a half
stified sob. Little JAlie clasped his
hand, but her terreied eyes were
turned upon her mother. Wentworth
had seen the woman in towering
passion; now she thrsw herself into
the fury of her role as she had done
in real life, pacing TIE floor like a
Gagged tiger. She paused at Merry's
side half exhausted.
Think of the chilGu" he pleaded
miserably.
THE child-to perdigion with the
child"
Enoch stared at the rUst of the play
through moody eyes. When the cur
tain fell on the second act Zilla Paget
appeared on the stage alcfe to meet
uproarious applause mingled with
jeers and Kissing. Wentworth gripped
the arm of his chair as he watched
her sweep the house with triumphant
gaze. A brand Of hate which has the
red of murder in 1t tore at his heart.
He rose, tossed his Goa. across his
arm, CROPPED beneath the chair for his
hat, then he slammed down the aeat
and went out. On the stair he met
an usher.
Mr. Wentworth" cried the boy.
i've been looking everywhere for you.
Mr.. Oswald wants to see you in his
Office about some bookings
Enoch descended without answering
&IIl. he pduSSu OuCS 10 push HIS
arms into his coat, but he did not
enter the Office: instead, he turned and
walked down Broadway. The rain
had ceased, the sky was clear, and
the stars were shining. He tramped
on heedlessly. He realized suddenly
that he was far down town in the
business heart of the city. Overhead
hung the sign of an old-fashioned ho-
tel. He opened the swinging doors
and walked to the desk.
II want room." he said peremptor-
.ny.
What price?" asked the clerk.
II don't give damn about price.
i want room where it is quiet, where
there is good bed, and where / can
sleep as if-as If / were dead"
CHAPTER XXI.