The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-11-17

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, hositating tigur" that
stood just off the stage. She forgot the
existence of the famous drAmatiSt who
hung upon her words. Her feet 30
longer trod the dusty boards Of the
theatcr. She was almost painfully
conscious Of the perfume of apple bios
som.
your she exclaimed, stretching out
her hands. "Why do you not come and
speak to me? l am here"
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 man who stood like a
giant among them, sunburnt, buoyant
with health, his eyes bright with the
wonder of his unexpected surround
ingS; 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 curious little crowd Of
strangers, seemed to John, when he
thought of his long waiting, almost pit
eouSly inadequate. Louise, reCogniz-
ing the difficulty Of the situation, swift
ly recovered her COmpOsure. She was
both tactful and gracious.
"Mr. Faraday," she said appoalingly,
"N1r. 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 Oncc-Wcll, very nearly saved my
life. He knows nothing about the
alters, and he hasn't the least idea of
the Importance of n rehearsal. You
won't mind if we put him somewhere
out of the way till we have finished,
will you?"
after such an introduction" Fara-
day said in n tone of resignation, "AIr.
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, M. 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
at 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 q 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 puIleys and leaning frag
ments of scenery. What he saw and
heard seemed to him, for the most
part, a meaningless tangle of gestures
and phrases. The men and women in
fashionable clothes, moving about be
fore that gloomy space of empty audi
forum, 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 a dream
with
moving about aimlessly, saying strange
words.
Then there came a moment which
brought Jingle into his blood, which
plunged his senses into hot confusion
He rose to his feet. 1t was a play
which they were rehearsing, of course
It was q damnable thing to see Louise
taken into that cold and obviously
unreal embrace, but it was only play
1t was part of her work.
John resumed his seat and folded
his arms. With the embrace had falleI
an imaginary curtain, and the rehear
sal was over. They were all crowded
together, talking, In the center of thu
stage. The prince, who had stepped
across the footlights, made his way t.
where John was sitting.
$50 you have deserted Cumberland
for timer" he courteously inquired.
81 came up last night" John replied
London, at this season of the year,
the prince observed, sis scarcely at 1T
best"
John smiled.
81 am afraid" he said, shat an
not critical. 1t is eight years since
was here last. I have not been out o
Cumberland during the whole OF tina
time"
The prince, after moments incred
ulous stare, laughed softly to him
self.
"You are a very wonderful person
Mr.. Strangewey," he declared. Il hav
heard of your good fortune. If ca
be of any service to you during you
stay in town." he added politel!
"please command me-"
"You are very kind" John reptile
gratefully.
Louise broke away from the littl
: group and came across toward them.
Gree at last!" she exclaimed. mo
: let us 90 out and have some tea"