The Ordway new era., 1917-12-21

|
emotional excitement Of her long
speech. there was now new and curl
GUS expression upon her face. She was
looking at a tall, hesitatng 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 blos-
som.
"Youw she exclaimed. stretching out
her hands. "Why do you not come and
speak to mel am herew
John came out upon the stage. The
French dramatist, with his hands be-
hind his back, made swift mental notes
Of an interesting situation. He saw
the coming of a man who stood like n
giant among them, sunburnt, buoynnf
with health. his eyes bright with the
wonder of his unexpected surround
ings; a man in whose presence every
one else seemed to represent an effete
and pallid type OF humanity.
| Those first few sentences, spoken In
the midst Of n 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
ly 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 I have ever met In my
life. He comes from Cumberland, and
he once-well. very nearly saved my
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"
after such an Introduction" Fara-
day said In a tone of resignation, "Mr.
Strangewey would be welcome at any
time"
There's a dear mani" Louise ex-
claimed. Let me introduce him quick
ly. Mr.. John Strangewey-Mr. Miles
Faraday. NJ. Graillot, Miss Sophy Ge-
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
stool"
John bowed in various directions,
and Faraday, taking him good-natured-
ly by the arm, led him to a garden seat
ut the back Of the stage.
''There!" he said. "You are one Of
the most privileged persons in London.
You shall hear the finish of our re-
hearsal. There isn't a press man in
London I'd have near the place"
Twenty-four hours away from his
silent hills, John looked out with puz-
zled eyes from his dusty seat among
ropes and pulleys and leaning frag-
ments OF scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, meaningless tangle of gestures
and phrases. The men and women in
fashionable clothes, moving about be-
fore that gloomy space of empty audi
torlum, looked more like marionettes
than creatures Of flesh and blood,
drawn this way and that at the bidding
Of the stout, masterful Frenchman,
who was continually muttering excla-
nations and banging the manuscript
upon his hand. 1t seemed like dream
picture. with unreal men and women
moving about aimlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came q moment which
brought tingle into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion.
lie rose to his feet. 1t was q play
which they were rehearsing. Of course!
1t was damnable thing to see Louise
taken Into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but 1t was only play.
1t was part of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms With the embrace had fallen
an imaginary curtain, and the rehear-
sal was over. They were all crowded
together, talking, in the center Of the
stage. The prince, who had stepped
across the footlights, made his way to
where John was sitting.
$50 You have deserted Cumberland
Tor time" he courteously inquired.
i came up last night" John replied,
London, at this season of the year. -
the prince observed, '.is scarcely at its
hest"
John smiled.
, Il am afraid" he said, ''that I am
! not critical. 1t is eight years since j
was here last. have not been out Of
Cumberland during the whole Of that
time"
!. The prince, after a moments incred
! ulous stare, laughed softly to him
self.
You are a very wonderful person
!. Mr. Strangewey," he declared. II have
. heard Of your good fortune. II I cas
4 % o. any service to you during you
sAy In town" he added politaay
= paeass command ma.
!. Ton ars vssy kind" John rspais,