Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-18
THEN READ THIS
In the Limelight

I rance before the closed doors OF the
/ sJasco Theatre. From his vantage
point behind the ticket sellers window
James Palmer smiled at friends and
acuuaintances as they pressed forward
Ia buy tickets for the "TabeauX Of
The Allies" or secure those already
engaged. Not only would the Red
Cross reap a rich harvest from the
tableaux, but the amateur performance
would be viewed by representative
Washington audience, judging from
the presence of high government ON
malls members of the foreign missions
detailed to Washington diplomats,
and army and navy officers among the
mon and women who thronged the
lobby of the theatre.
Palmer watched the ticket sellers
4 left manipulation OF blue red ana
white pasteboards and his swift count
ing OF change Tor "hlle iohsoi' '''1"
hearing his name called he discovered
Doctor Hayden waiting for him, ana
he promptly hurried through the pri-
4 ,7ate office to the lobby. Stopping to
exchange a word of greeting with seN-
raj friends just back from their sum-
,ner outing. Palmer and Hayden en-
tered the theatre and made their way
"a Mrs Rurnharn's box. Mrs, Burn
ham. well gowned as always, and wear
j1x The Jewels for which she was ia
mohs, turned on their entrance ana
shook hands cordially, while Burn
ham offered his seat TO Hayden with
an ingratiatins smile.
Don't talk shop, old man" he said.
1 .Atx wife has already expressed her
opinion of my leaving my bed to come
|. here. but" HIS expression grew
n ard. "E.yelyn persisted in taking part
1, the tablcaux tonight so we thought
Il. eh---" The playing of the star
spanpled Banner" heralding the ap-
proach of the President and his wife
4 drowned his words, and rising he ana
his guests and the whole house stood
u,,il the last bars of the anthem were
& played
after reseating herself Mrs. Burn
nam unfoIded her lorgnettc and in
spected first the audience and 'heh
her program.
"I1non nv word. had no idea so
many of my friends were back she
ramarEed. exchanging bows with the
r<,,ostcss in the next box. ut Is reSu'
~ winter. audience, and not such as
you usually see in september na'
the first tableau on the program
.,,rhe navy" answered Hayden, to
,,,h,m the question was addressed.
There was no further time for con
.ayersation as the lights went out ana
.he curtains parted on The tableau'
r.h,cb elected rounds of applause, and
the marine band played the famous
navy song: Anchors Aweigh'
There was some delay IN the snow
inc of the next tableau and Hayden
i1iy rlancing over ihe program whlch
N,rs Burnham held so that both couln
read it, grew conscious that her eyes
travelled more often TO her husband
Who was talking in fits and starts to
f,,,ner. than to the printed words he
fore her.
sNhat's the idea of so many women
4, ,he tableaux and no mem" she
questioned abruptly, breaking tne
silence. and Hayden marveled inwardI\
~. the shrillness of her usually wei
.<ffiodulated tone.
II believe each girl personiftes the
snlrit = of our Allies in the taoleat
,,ched out for her" explained Palmer
WIN had caught Mrs. Burnham's ques
,ion "Some are most artistic "a'
called in 10 advise about the scenery
ana saw some of the rehearsals.'
e, .rIadn't any idea we had so man!
Ai,iesp announced Burnham, glanc
Inc over the program. Here's Sian
.ra Hello. what's this TO be-"
Somewhere in France " Hayde'
laid the program which had slippe'
34 art Of Mrs. Burnham's hand, back il
her lap.
With lights extinguished the aud
erce sat in expectation. Suddenly be
fore them appeared faint pink glo'
which, growing brighter, disclosed
french outpost overlooking No Man
Iand--the scene of utter desolauo
.nd destruction confronting the sol
sary watchful sentry, crouching gu
ss,ant was finely done and Mrs Burn
ham winked away tear a" she wh''
pered to Hayden:
& zone Of our boys
.yes." Hayden borrowed her oper'
~ ,,..ses. "why it's Maynard"
,.Its an excellent tabieau!" e'
claimed Burnham, taken out OF MN
self. and he applauded vigorously N
,c,etake about it. Lillian, Maynar
makes magnificent soldier: Strains
rs handsome and fascinating as he !
mat he has never married!
mrs. Burnham nodded absent agre
4. mani as her foot kept time to Il
y tune "Columbla, the Gem OF II
s4,cean.s Repeated calls for an eneoi
... xsfs.