Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1918-01-06

eyes were fixed upon a certain
shadowy corner Of the wings. Over
wrought as she had seemed, with the
emotional excitement Of her long
speech, there was now a new and curl
Gus expression upon her face. She was
looking at a 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 7" 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
Of an interesting situation. He saw
the coming of a man who stood like a
giant among them, sunburnt, buoyant
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 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 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 once-well. very nearly saved my
life. He knows nothing about the.
aters. and he hasn't the least idea OF
the importance Of q 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, "Air
Strangewey would be welcome at any
time"
There's a dear man. Louise ex
claimed. Let me introduce him quick
ly. Mr.. John Strangewey-Mr. Mile:
Faraday. n. GrailIot, Hiss 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
stool"
John bowed in various directions
and Faraday, taking him good-natured
1y by the arm. led him to garden sea-
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 a press man II
London I'd have near the place"
Twenty-four hours away from hill
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 ant
heard seemed to him. for the mos
part, a meaningless tangle Of gesture.
and phrases. The men and women IL
fashionable clothes, moving about be
fore that gloomy space Of empty audi
forum, looked more like marionette.
than creatures Of flesh and blood
drawn this way and that at the biddin;
Of the stout, masterful Frenchman
who was continually muttering excla
nations and banging the manuscript
upon his hand. It seemed like a dream
picture. with unreal men and womeI
moving about aimlessly, saying strang,
words.
Then there came q moment which
brought a Jingle into his blood. which
plunged his senses into hot confusion
He rose to his feet. 1t was q play
which they were rehearsing, of course
1t was q damnable thing to see Louis,
taken into that cold and obviousl!
unreal embrace. but 1t was only play
II was part Of her work.
John resumed his seat and foldet
bis arms With the embrace had faller
an imaginary curtain, and the rehear
sal was over. They were all crowdet
together. talking. in the center Of tn
stage. The prince, who had steppet
across the footlights, made his way u
where John was sitting.
$50 you have deserted Cumberland
for q timer he courteously inquired.
II came up last night" John replied
London at this season Of the year.
the prince observed, is scarcely at IL
hest"
| John smiled.
| Il am afraid" he said, that I an
not critical Il u eight years since
was here last have not been out o
Cumberland during the whole Of tina
time"
The prince, after Q moments incred
ulous stare. laughed softly to him
self.
You are Q very wonderful person
Mr.. Strangewey." he declared. Il hav
heard Of your good fortune. II I cal
b Of any service to you during you
say In town" he added politely
splease command me"
You are very kind" John rsplie'
gratefully.
Louise broke sway from the ntfl
group and came across toward them.
free at lastr - exclaimed. "Nov