Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-09-27
CHAPTER VI.

SnAF Z N vi.
The great French dramatist, dark.
pale-faced and corpulent, stood upon
the extreme edge of the stage, bran
dishlng his manuscript in his hand. He
banged the palm of his left hand with
the rolled-up manuscript and looked at
them all furiously.
1.-THE only success I care for" he
Numbered. SIS an artistic success"
with Miss Maurel playing your
leading part, NJ. Graillot," the actor
manager declared. mot to speak Of d
company carefully selected to the best
OF my judgment, l think you may ven-
ture To anticipate even that"
The dramatist bowed hurriedly to
Louise.
you recall to me fact" he said
CALAMITY, (which almost reconciles me
; to this diabolical travesty of some Of
my lines. Proceed. then-proceed l
will be as patient as possible"
The stage manager shouted out some
directions from his box. A gentleman
, in fRultless morning clothes, who
seemed to have been thoroughly enjoy
. ing the interlude. suddenly adopted the
puppetlike walk OF footman. Other
actors, who had been whispering TO-
4; gether in the wings, came back to their
, places. Louise advanced alone. little
languidly, to the front of the stage. AT
the first sound Of her voice NJ. Grail
lot nodding his head vigorously, was
sOOthed.
, Her speech was a long one. 1t
appeared that she had been arraigned
B before a company Of her relatives, as
sembled to comment upon her mis-
deeds. She wound up with a passion
F.. ate appeal to her husband, Mr.. Miles
. Faraday. who had made an unexpected
. appearance. NJ. Graillot's face, as she
concluded, was wreathed in smiles.
"Ah :" he cried "You have lifted US
all up Now feel once more the In
spiration. Mademoiselle, kiss your
hand" he went on. 1T is you who still
redeem my play. You bring back the
spirit of it to me. In you see the en-
bodiment Of my Therese."
Louise made no movement. Her
eyes were fixed upon certain
shadowy corner Of the wings. Over
wrought as she had seemed, with the
emotional excitement Of her long
speech, there was now new and curl
GUS expression upon her face. She was
looking at a'tall, hesitst1ng figure that
stood just of, the stage. She forgot the
existence of the famous dramatist who
hung upon her words. Her feet no
longer trod the dusty boards of the
theater. She was almost painfully
conscious of the perfume Of apple bios
som.
you I" she exclaimed, stretching out
her hands. "Why do you not come and
speak to me? / am herew
John came out upon the stage. The
French dramatist, with his hands be-
hind his back. made swift mental notes
or an interesting situation. He saw
the coming OF man who stood like a
giant among them. sunburnt, buoyanr
with health, his eyes bright with the
wonder Of his unexpected surround
ings; man Ia whose presence every
one else seemed to represent an effete
and pallid type Of humanity.
Those FIRST few sentences, spoken 10
the midst of a curious little crowd of
strangers, seemed TO John, when he
thought Of his long waiting, almost pit
eously inadequate. Louise, recognize
Ing the difficulty Of the situation, swift
iy recovered her composure. She was
both tactful and gracious.
"Mr. Faraday," she said appealingly,
Mr.. Strangewey comes from the coun-
try-he Is. in fact. the most complete
countryman / have ever met I'm nv
life. He comes from Cumberland. and
he once--well. very nearly saved nv
life. He knows nothing about the
aters. and he hasn't the least idea of
the Importance of rehearsal. You
won't mind II we put him somewhere
out of the way till we have finished,
will your" ..s-.
after such an introduction" Fara.
day said in tone of resignation, s.Mr.
Strangewey would be welcome at any
time"
There's dear nanl' Louise ex-
claimed. LET me Introduce him quick
iy. Mr.. Johh Strsnxswey-Mr Miles
Faraday, NJ. Graillot, Miss Sophy &C.
rard. my particular little friend. The
prince Of Seyre you already know, al
though you may not recognize him try
Ing to balance himself on that absurd
sfnnl."