Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-08-31
CHAPTER VI.

The great French dramatist, dark,
pale-faced and corpulent, stood upon
the extreme edge Of the stage, bran.
dishing his manuscript In his hand. He
banged the palm Of his left hand with
the rolled.up manuscript and looked at
them oil furiously.
1.-THE only success / care for" no
Numbered. us an artistic successW
"With Miss Maurel playing your
leading part, NJ. Graillot" the actor
manager declared, mot to speak Of q
company carefully selected to the best
Of my Judgment. think you may ven.
ture to anticipate even that"
The dramatist bowed hurriedly to
Louise.
"You recall to me fact" he said
CALAMITY, switch almost reconciles me
to this dinbollcal travesty Of some OF
my lines. Proceed, then-proceedl ]
will he MS patient us possible"
The stage manager shouted out some
directions from his box. A gentleman
In faultless morning clothes, whe
seemed to have been thoroughly enjoy
ing the interlude, suddenly adopted the
puppetllke walk OF a footman. Other
actors, who had been whispering to-
gether In the wings, came back to their
places. Louise advanced alone, a little
languidly, to the front Of the stage. AT
the first sound OF her voice NJ. Grail
lot, noddlng his head vigorously, was
soothed.
Her speech was long one. It
appeared that she had been arraigned
before a company Of her relatives, as
sembled to comment upon her mis-
deeds. She wound up with passion
ate appeal to her husband, Mr.. Miles
Faraday, who had made an unexpected
appearance. NJ. Gruillots face, as she
concluded, was wreathed In smiles.
"Ahm he cried. "You have lifted Us
all up! Now feel once more the In.
splratlon Mademolselle, kiss your
hand" he went on. at is you who still
redeem my play. You bring back the
spirit Of II to me. In you see the EN-
bodment 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 tall, hesitating 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" she exclaimed. stretching out
her hands. "Why do you not come and
speak to mel I am here!"
John came out upon the stage. The
French dramatlst, 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
giant among them, sunburnt, buoyant
with health, his eyes bright with the
wonder Of his unexpected surround
ings; a man In whose presence every
I one else seemed to represent an effete
and pallld type Of humanity.
Those first few sentences, spoken in
the midst Of 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 | have ever met In my
life. He comes from Cumberland, and
he oncc--well. very nearly saved my
life. He knows nothing about the
aters, and he hasn't the least Idea OF
the Importance of a rehearsal. You
won't mind II we put him somewhere
out of the way till we have finished,
will yort"
"After such an Introduction" Fara-
day said In tone Of resignation. mir.
Strangewey would be welcome at any
time"
There's dear mani" Louise ex-
claimed. "Let me introduce him quick
ly. Mr.. John Stfangewey-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 toa garden seat
at the back Of the stage
"Therel" he said. "You are one Of
the most privileged persons in London.
You shall hear the finish Of our re-
hearsal. There isn't q press man In
London I'd have near the place.
Twenty-four hours away from his
silent hills, John looked out with pug
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