The Crittenden press., 1920-06-04

developments at Barton, and went ou
and walked. Inquiries NJ hotels large
anl small occupied mo until seven
o'clock. No one had heard OF Mrs
RaShford or Mrs. Farnsworth. My
inspection OF the occupants OF several
thousand automobiles proved equally
fruitleSs. ate lonely dinner at the
club and resumed my search. Hang
ing about theater doors, staring NJ the
crowd, is not dignhed occupation
and by nine o'clock, having seen the
most helated theatcrgoers vanish, !
was tired and footSore, The fiamins
sign of Searles' "WhO Killed Cock
Rohln?" over the door Of the AS You
Like II" caught my eye. l sought a
seattle last In the rnck-and
squeezed into my place in the middle
of the last row. As | had seen the
piece nj least dozen times, It's 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 II with a
glow Of pride in Searles and his skill
ful 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 froat of me
suddenly caught my attention. There
was something curiouSly familiar In
his outlines and the gesture with
which. nj the moment. he was d awinc
his handkerchief across his forehead
II was Montani-beyond any question
Montani-and | instlnctively shrank In
my seat and lifted my program as
he turned round and swiftly surveyed
the rows behind him.
watched his black head inten,ly
until remembered the superstition
that by staring al person in a pub
lie place you can make him look n
you. Montanl knew great many
things ] wanted 10 know, but ! mus
have time 10 adjust myself TO th'
shock OF his propInQulty.
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 recoc
nized. had read that day of hi
shrival In New York. With him wer,
two women. My breath came hard AM
clutched the iron frame OF the sea
In front Of me So violently that II
occupant turned and glared.
The trio settled into their place
quickly, but not before had $, tisfe'
myself that Arrowsmiths comp,nion
were Alice and Mrs. Fnrnsworth. A
they fell into animated talk ! saw tha
Alice was In her gayest humor. Tn
distinguished tragedian seemed great
amused by what she was saying 3
him.
Must he members OF Arrowsmlth
company" one OF my neighbors r,
marked. "They open In two week
in Shakespearian repertoire"
Montani had half risen. the bette
TO focus an opera-glass on the boz
The gong solemnly announced the SEE
ond act, and Alice moved her chaI
To face the stage. once more Moi
tanl scanned the party with his clas
As the lights faded Alice. with n
pretty lnnguOrous gesture | SO well r,
membered, opened her fan-the IA
OF ostrich plumes. that became a biz
, OF white that held my eye through n
dusk after the curtain rose.
Alice, Montani. and the FAM To IN
combination had now 10 add the ne
element introduced into the situatlC
blythe apparent familiar acqualntant
NJ Alice and Mrs. Fnrnsworth vii
Cecil Arrowsmith. And yet. as n
play proceeded on It's swift.moyIr
course. reasoned that there was not
Ing extraordinary In their knowing Il
eminent actor. He had long be,
n parsonage In England and had Int
ly been knighted. Their appearnn,
with him at the theater really di
posed Of the idea that they might
imposterS. The presence Of Arro'
smith had put zest into the compnn
and | hadn't seen better perforl
ance OF SeWles' play. The trio
the box Joined In tho prolonged a
nInn.n M, H. 81 % IL. ~,