The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-11-09
THEATER MAX
SARA LAWS FAREWELL.

I1EAIER MAX
SARA LAWS FAREWELL.
It was nearly half-past eight; the
house had been open since seven; and
still queue ran from the gallery doors
to Broadway. The lobby itself was
crowded to suffocation with an occi-
-dental durbar of barbaric magnificence,
the city's supreme manifestation of
ats religion, the ultimate rite in the
worship of the pomps of the flesh.
'lLook at that" Max grumbled
Through his cigar. "Ain't 1t a shame?"
"WhatT Whitaker had to lift his
voice to make it carry above the buz-
zing of the throng
"The money I'm losing" returned
the manager, wildly disgusted. 'I
could've filed the Metropolitan opera
house three times overI"
He swung on his heel and began to
push his way out of the lobby. "Come
eaiong-no use trying to get in this
way"
Whitaker followed, to be led down a
blind alley between the theater and
the adjoining hotel. An Illuminated
sign advertised the stage door, through
which, via a brief hallway, they en-
tered the postscenium and-Max drag
ging him by the arm-passed through
a small door into the gangway behind
the boxes.
Curtains just up" Max told him !;
~Sara doesn't come on till near the
middle of the act. Make yourself COM
Portable; I'll be back before long"
He drew aside curtain and ushered
his guest into the right-hand stage-box,
then vanished. The few empty stalls
were rapidly filing up. There was a
fluent movement through the aisles. A
su5dued hum and rustic rose from that
portion of the audience which was all
ready seated. The business going on
upon the stage was receiving little at
Fen1on-from Whitaker as little as
from anyone. The opening scene in
the development Of the drama inter
ested the gathering little or not at all !;
IT was hanging In suspense upon the
unfolding OF some extraordinary devel-
opment, something unprecedented and
extraneous. foreign to the play.
Max slipped quietly into the box and
handed his guest a program. Better
get over here he suggested In a
hoarse whisper, Indicating chair near
the rail- "You may never have an
other chance to see the greatest living
actress. Wonderful house." he whis-
pered, sitting down behind Whitaker.
Drumnond hasn't shown up yet,
though"
THAT sog' Whitaker returned over
mis- shoulder.
ffToa g. .ftfr f,.,..,... Z. .......- - -
De 50 late. He always has the aisle
seat fourth row, center. But he'll be
along presently"
He glanced idly at his program, In
cidefenuy absorbing the information
that Jules Max has the honor to pre-
sent Miss Sara Law in her first and
erentest success entitled Joan Thurs
uny--o play iu three acts"
The audience stirred expectantly;
movement ran through 1t like the
movement Of waters, murmurous, up
on shore. Whtaker's gaze was
drawn TO the stage as n By an Inn
placnblo force. Max shifted on the
chair behind him asd said something
'naistlnguishqble, IN an unnatural tone.
a woman had come upon the stage,
suddenly and tempestuously. banging
q door behind her. The audience got
Fhe barest glimpse Of her profile as,
pausing momentarily she eyed the
otnef actors. Then, without speaking,
she turned and walked up-stage. her
back 70 the footilfhts.
Applause broke out like a thunder.
eiap peniing heavily through the big
auditorium. but The actress showed no
consciousness Of it. She was standing
Deiore q cheap mirror. removing her
pat, arranging her hair with the
Aspical unconscious gestures Of
weary shopgirl; she was actlne-iivine
e'e scene. with no time 10 waste 10