Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-22
The Cast s:F Of Mary Page
By Frederick Lewis, Author of Pictures by
What Happened to Mary Essanay
Pictures by
ESsanay

gaily clad throng that filled the lobby
az this after-theator hour went direct
to the elevator his fingers closed tightly
around that key in his pocket
Once in the suite engaged for him by
shale he drew off his coat and hat. and
ordering a whisky-and-soda. drank II
almost at draught. Then he began a
restless pacing up and down the floor.
trying to estimate just how long II would
be before the banquet party would reach
the private dining room. with the door
Of his sitting room partially open he
could watch the entrance TO the banquet
hall, but his impatence carried him more
than once out into the corridor from
which he could look down at the brilliant
lobby below.
At last after what seemed TO him
hours OF waiting. he saw a group OF the
players arrive. and few moments later
the other members Of the supper party
passed his door. There remained only
Mary and Daniels to come.
Trembling with excitement. he poured
himself another drink OF whisky. gave a
swift glance at the window where Shale
lowered on the fire escape. and then took
up his post close to the door. Almost
Immediately ne heard the hum of the
elevator and then Mary's voice.
"oh, come on. Phil" she was saying.
Il shan't stay very long. anyway"
by all means come along" echoed
Daniels. with assumed cordiality.
You'll be a welcome guest"
Pollock could see them now, for they
had passed his hiding place. and he gave
sigh OF relief as I.angdon said firmly:
mo. thanks-I won't come in. IT'S a
supper for you. Mary. and for your COM
pany ] feel a little out OF place.
Don't get too tired, though-and I'll call
UP tomorrow"
Call up. indeed / should say you
would bantered Mary. You'll come
out to the hotel and read all the press
notices with me-" A flush OF pride was
on her cheeks
IAN right" laughed Langdon. that's
promise" And with final word he
turned back and came slowly down the
corridor. which echoed now to the sound
of the tumultuous welcome to Mary
The New start"
Bless her!' whispered Langdon 70
himself. But she ought to be home in
stead OF there. hope none of them
drink too much" That thought seemed
TO trouble him, and he half hesitated as
II regretting his refusal to go in with
her. finally making his way down to the
lobby and settling himself in chair
from which he could look up at the door
OF the banquet room.
Walters were hurrying in and out. and
Langdon could catch glimpses OF the
gay table with Mary. flushed and ex-
cited. at one end, and could hear the
laughter and the little bursts Of APP
plause. Once when a hurrying waiter
left the door wide he saw Mary on her
feet protesting against the urgent
hands that were thrusting a glass OF
champagne upon her.
With an exclamation of anger Lang
Ion leaped to his feet, then sank back
again. He couldn't interference now,
at any rate. He could however, guess
that they were urging her to drink a
toast TO the play, and he hoped that that
meant that Mary was soon TO leave.
While he was impatlently hoping that
this was true. a bell boy. who a moment
or two before had gone into the banquet
room. came out. followed by Mary her
self.
With throb OF glad relief LanEdon
jumped up and hurried up the shallow
stairs TO the corridor TO meet him, but to
his surprise she was not In sight, and
only the bellboy was coming leisureiy
along the hall. IL seemed curious that
Mary could disappear so suddenly
Forgetting discretion. he caught the
boy by the shoulder.
Where did the young lady goG'' he de-
nanded harshly, and at the tone the
startled boy cringed as II expecting a
blow.
''wots that to your he retored imper-