The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25

just one face on the stage when we
pull off that number. We are going
to light 1t up with blue from the bor-
ders and blue from the foots and blue
mediums from the arcs and flood. and
a white spot light from the q. +.
bridge, and then all you'll have to
do is to sing and sing as If you
meant it,
For the remaining days of the week
the Bends new and glistening motor
car called every morning at the
boarding house Of 1neZ MacTavish
and carried that young lady to the
gorgeous home of Lockport's first
citizen. For at least an hour, and
sometimes for two or three hours,
Inez sat in the commOdious lap OF
luxury. enjoyed the novelty hugely,
and incidentally instructed Evelyn
Bend in the art of singing a coon
love song. For half an hour every
afternoon the chorus of the Thespians
was given into her care, and in three
rehearsals she had 1t ready for the
performance.
Il don't know" said the amateur
stage manager spondently to
Blanche Yardley, whether they're
afraid of her or just plain sorry for
the poor little thing but whichever
1t Is / wish they felt tn. same way
about me. Also If I knew as much
about lights and grouping and pro-
ducing as that kid does I'd run Be-
lasco out of the business.
why, at the orchestra rehearsal
this morning she told every man in
the band how to play his particular
instrument. / tried to ct her to
help out with the rest of the show.
but she just laughed and said she was
especially engaged to pu, on that one
number. She's a wonder
On the Saturday morning before the
all important Monday Inez held her
last rehearsal on the opera house
stage. and when 1t was over she
babe farewell to her new found
friends. In the case Of Miss Evelyn
Bend, at least. the parting was not
an easy one. VIII n Inez had departed
by the stage door she did not return
to her boarding house at once but
walked around the corner to the front
of the theatre and inquired at the
box Office for the manager of the
Jarbow company.
Pulling at a half smoked cigar. Jar
bow came out into the lobby and
vouchsafed Inez a smiling greeting.
We'll. little girl" he asked genially.
what can I do for your
II just wanted to tell you Inez
said, that can't play Monday night
at Freeport. I'll join you Tuesday
morning at thu next stand"
Jarbows genialty suddenly dsap-
peared, and he raised his finger in
angry protest. "I'll dock YOU" he
threatened. land I'll fine you. too"
Inez tried TO laugh. but the effort
was not particularly successful. mo,
you won't Mr. Jarbow. You'll dock
my wages. but you won't fine ms
for just having one nights fun. And
even If YOU did fine me and dock
me. too a whole weeks pay couldn't
play Monday night. I tell you | just
can't"
The manager turned brlskly on his
heel and walked away; but when he
had reached the door of the theatre
he looked back and grinned at the
pathetic, defiant little figure in the
lobby. "All right, 1nez." he said,
'have a good time. We play Thomas
willie on Tuesday night. Have you got
your fare?'
lncz nodded her head in assent, and
then, as the manager closed the door
box office window and from her very
m gre savings bought seat in the
last row of the orchestra for the
annual performance of the Thespians.
on that fateful Easter Monday night
from : o'clock until about 1880 the
amateurs of LoCkport had "A splendid
time on the stage of the opera house.
d.sport.ng themsclv = as only anna
thusiastic If ndisrriminate applause
OF their relatives and trends just as
# il was really deserved At the last
named hour, and when thu perform
ance was about drawing 10 more
or less successful ci Sc, came the last
musical number of the leading lady,
and which according to all the ira
ditions Of the Thcspians. should he
the big" number of the engagement.
For a few minutes the stage was
in darkness. and then the concealed
rows Of deep blue lights that circlci
the borders and those of the blue COL
ored globes in the footlght trough
We're slowly raised, and the audience
saw. as If through a mist the chorus
grouped about a girl standing N the
centre If the stage dressed in a soft.
white, simple froCk which chung
closely 10 the line of her tall lovely
figure. As the orchestra began the
first strains of Come Back. Ma Honey
Boy. To Me- a broad shaft of moon
light from high above the painted
foliage fell full on the pretty face
and the tall white figure. II was
afterward reported that on this occa-
sion wen Evelyn Bends mother
gasped at her own daughters love-
illness, and the report was generally
believed especially by those who were
present.
In thu silence Of sincere appreca-
ton, not to say establishment. that
followed the first verse of the song,
lnez MacTavish nudged the old gen
tleman who sat in the seat next To
her and whispered: Can you tell me
the name of that young man leaning
So far out Of the left lower stage box?
| mean the good looking one who
seems To be hypnotized."
The old gentleman, thoroughly am
noyed at the interruption, however,
glanced at the box. His name, | be-
lcve," he snapped, sis Philip Card
ner."
IL thought so,' said Incz. Thank
you"
1t is not known just how many times
Evelyn Bend had to sing the song,