The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-11-09
CHAPTER vi.
The Late Extra.

The Late Extra.
1mpulsively Whitaker got up to fol.
low Max, then hesitated and sank back
in doubt, his head awhirl. He was for
the time being shocked out of all ca
pacity for clear reasoning or right
thinking. Uppermost In his conscious
ness he had half-formed notion that
it wouldn't help matters if he were to
force himself in upon the crisis behind
the scenes.
Beyond all question his wife had
recognized in him the man whom she
had been given every reason to believe
dead: discovery so unnerving as to
render her temporarily unable to con-
tinue.
This, then, explained Drummonds
reluctance to have him hidden to the
supper party; whatever ultimate
course Of action he planned to pursue,
Drummond had been unwilling, per
haps pardonably so, to have his ro-
nance overthrown and altogether shat
tered In a single day. He had lied,
lied desperately, doubtless meaning to
encompass marriage before Whitaker
could find his wife, and so furnish him
with every reason that could influence
an honorable man to disappear a Sec
ond time.
On the other hand, Max to a certain.
ty was ignorant OF the relationship be-
tween his star and his old time friend,
just as he must have been ignorant of
her identity with the one time Mary
Ladislas. For that matter, Whitaker
had to admit that, damning as was the
evidence to controvert the theory,
Drummond might be just as much in
the dark as Max was. 1t was only fair
to suspend judgment. In the mean
time
The audience was getting beyond
control. In the gallery the gods were
beginning TO testify to their normal in
tolerance with shrill whistles, cat-calls.
sporadic bursts of hand-clapping and a
steady, sinister rumble of stamping
feet. In the orchestra and dress circle
people were moving about restlessly
aud talking at the top of their voices
In order to make themselves heard
above the growing din,
Abruptly Max himself appeared at
one side of the proscenium arch. IT
was plain to those nearest the stage
that he was seriously disturbed There
was noticeable hesltancy in his man.
ner, pathetic frenzy in his habitually
mild and lustrous eyes. Advancing
halfway 10 the middle of the apron he
paused, begging attention with a pudev
hand. 1t was full minute before the
gallery would let him be heard.
Ladies and gentlemen" he an
nounced plaintively, II much regret to
Inform you that Miss Law has suf.
Tered severe nervous shock"-bis
gaze wandered in perplexed inquiry To-
ward the right-hand stagebox, then
was hastily averted-"and VIII not be
able to continue"
Wave upon wave of sound swent
through the auditorium to break. roar
Ing against the obdurate curtain. Max
with difficulty cOntrived to make him
self discOnnectedly audible.
Ladies and !" ne shouted
sweat beading his perturbed forehead
q regret impossible TO
continue money box
office ."
An angry howl drowned him out. He
retreated at accelerated discretion.
Whitaker, slipping through the stage
door behind the boxes, ran into the
stnge manager standing beside the first
entrance, heatediy explaining to any
one who would listen the utter futllity
Of Offering box-office prices in return
for seat checks which In the majority
Of instances had cost their holders ton
notch sDeculator prices.
They'll wreck the theater," he
shouted excitedly. mopping his brow
with his coat sleeve, "what telld she
wana pull n raw one like this forY"
Whitaker caught his arm in grasp
attention.