The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1920-12-23


all the reading matter he wanted, and
hurried on to catch my train.
took a room at the Thackeray club
and pondered carefully whether, in
spite Of my misgvlngs, hadn't better
see Terrence and tell him all that had
happened since his call on Mrs. Bash
ford. If there was any chance of do
ing the wrong thing in any matter not
prescribed In the laws governing the
administration of estates, he would
be sure to do It; but l was far from
satisfied with the results of my own
management of affairs at Barton.
finally called up the trust company
and learned that Terrence was in Al
bany attending the trial of n viii case
and might not be in town for couple
of days. His secretary said he had
instructions to wire my daily report to
Albany l told him there had been no
developments at Barton, and went out
and walked. Inquiries at hotels large
anl small occupied me until seven
o'clock. No one had heard Of n Mrs
Bashford or n Mrs. Farnsworth. My
inspection Of the occupants of several
thousand automobiles proved equally
fruitless. | ate a lonely dinner at the
club and resumed my search Hang
| ing about theater doors, staring at the
crowd, is not a dignlfied occupn ion,
and by nine o'clock, having seen the
most belated theatergoers vanish,
was tired and footsOre. The flaming
sign Of Searles' "Who Killed Cock
Robin?" over the door of the "As You
Like 1t" caught my eye. | sought a
seattle last in the rack-and
squeezed into my place in the middle
of the last row. AS | had seen the
piece at least a dozen times, its nov
city was gone for me, but the laughter
of the delighted audience was cheer
ing. The first act was reaching It's
elimination, and | watched 1t with a
glow of pride in Searles and his skill
full craftsmanship.
AS the curtain fell and the lights
went up amid murmurs of pleasure
and expectancy, | glanced across the
rows of heads. The half-turned face
of man three rows in front of me
suddenly caught my attention. There
was something curiously familiar In
his outlines and the gesture with
which at the moment, he was d awing
his handkerchief across his forehead.
1t was MOntani-beyond any question
MOntani-and | instinctively Shrank in
my seat and lifted my program as
he turned round and swiftly surveyed
the rows behind him.
watched his black head intently
until l remembered the superstition
that by staring Mt a person in a pub
lie place you can make him look 'at
you. MontGnl knew a great many
things | wanted to know, but l must
have time to adjust myself to the
shock of his propinquity.
The house now took note of stir.
ring in. the boxes. There was an ex
cited buzz as the tall form and un
mistakable features Of Cecil Arrow
smith, the English actor, were recOg
nized. / had read that day of his
arrival in New York. With him were
two women. My breath came hard anC
| clutched the iron frame of the sea-
in front of me so violently that 1t.
occupant turned and glared.
The trio settled into their places
quickly, but not before ! had satisfied
myself that Arrowsmith's companion:
were Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth. A!
they fell into animated talk | saw tha
Alice was in her gayest humOr. The
distinguished tragedan seemed great!
al used by what she was saying t
him.
"Must be members of Arrowsmitht
} company" one of my nelghbors re
marked. "They open in two weeks
in Shakespearian repertoire"
Montani had half risen, the bette
to focus an opera-gass on the box
The gong sOlemnly announced the sec
Ond act, and Alice moved her chai
to face the stage. Once more Mon
tani scanned the party with his glass
AS the lights faded Alice, with thu
pretty languorOus gesture | so we'll re
membered, opened her fan-the fal
Of ostrich plumes, that became a blu
Of white that held my eye through tn
dusk after the curtain rose.
Alice, MOntani, and the fan To thi
combination l had now to add the new
element introduced into the situation
by the apparent familiar Acquaintance
Of Alice and Mrs. FarnswOrth will
Cecil ArrOwsmlth. And yet, as tn,
play proceeded on its swlft-mOvinl
course, reasoned that there was moth
ing extraordinary in their knowing tn,