The Pulaskian., 1916-12-22
CHAPTER VI.

The Late Extra.

AUp1fSfNEtJ " mtdktF kUL Up IO 4Olf low Max, then hesitated and sank back in doubt, his head awhirl. He was for the time being shocked out of all ca paclty 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 unnerying as to render her temporarily unable to con- tinue.
 This, then, explained Drummond's rI iuctance to have him bidden to the supper party; whatever ultimate course Of action he planned to pursue, Drummond had been unwilling. per haps pardonabIy so. to have his ro- nance overthrown and altogether shat tered in a single day. He had He'd, lied desperately, doubtless meaning to encompass marriage before Whitaker could find his wife, and 50 furnish him with every reason that could influence an honorable man 10 disappear sec. ond time.
 On the other hand. Max to 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 eontroverf the theory. Drumrnond might De 5ust as much ln the dark as Max was. If was only fair to suspend judgment. In the mean time
 The audience vas getting beyond control In the gallery the gods were l beginning to testify to their normal In- tolerance with shrill whistles, cat-caIIs. sporadic bursts Of hand-ciapping and S steady, sinister rumble of stamping feet. In the orchestra and dress circle people were moving about restIeasly and talking at the top of their voices In order 10 make themselves heard above the growing din
 I Abruptly Max himself appeared at one side Of the pr0sceniux0 arch. IL was plain to those nearest the stage
 that he was seriously disturbed There
 was noticeable hesstancy h hEs man i ner, pathetic frenzy in his habltuaIIy mild and InstYous eyes. Advancing
 halfway to the middle of the apron, he | paused, begging attention with Dudgy
 hand It was full infinite before the gallery would let him be heard I Ladies and gentlemen he en-
 nounced plaEntfvely. T much regret to
 inform you that Miss Law has suf- fered a severe nervous shock ~--aIs gaze wandered h peEpIexed inquiry fc- ward the rfght-hand stsze5ox, then
 was hastily zverted-~and will not be able to continue
 Wave upon wave of sound swept through the auditorium fo break, roar ing, against the oESdGrzfe curtain Max with difficulty eontFfTed to make hlaa- self dlsconnec1edIy audible Ladies and he shouted, sweat beading his pertnrbed forehead |. regret impossible to crnunse money -. box ozacs
 An angry howl drowned him ogt- He resreated at accelerated discretion
 Whitaker. slipping throaga the stage door heAlnd the boxes. ran into the stage manager standing beside tfse frsx entrance heate1ly ezpEaEntng to any oze who would Msren the Etser fHgfsfEy of offering box-otzce prices In reeErn for seat checks which En tte Eaa al8rsfy Of instances had coat their holders top notch sDeeuIzt9T prices.
 -Theyw wreck the fheater, he shouted ercitss11ys nsoprEnz hEs br0v win kls esat sse@ve, ~what xfesg1 aze wanz pull 2 rzw one llEe tkzs forY"
 Whitaker eaHg1E kEs arm h grzsy crlrgr,ezIEE2 err<x~far