Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1920-06-24

disclosed nothing discriminating. HI
had three hundred dollars In currency
(thls was TO cover Elsle's bride money
conjectured), a handkerchief, cigar
cite case, and box of matches. Iydi
rected that he be we'll fed and giveu
all the reading matter he wanted, and
hurried on TO catch my train.
took a room at the Thackeray clut
and pondered carefully whether, in
spite of my mlsgvings, hadn't better
see Terrence and tell I'm I'll 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 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 will case
and might not be In town for couple
Of days. His secretary said he had
instructions to wire my daily report to
Albany. told him there had been no
developments at Barton, and went out
and walked. Inquiries at hotels large
AMI small occupied me until seven
o'clock. No one had heard of Mrs
Bashford or Mrs. FarnsNorth. 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 dignified occupation,
and by nine O'Clock, having seen the
most belated theatergoers vanish, l
was tired and footsore. The flaming
sign of Searles' "Who Killed Cock
Robin p over, the door of the "As You
Like It" 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 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
glow of pride in Searles and his skill
full craftsmanship. ISL
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 drawing
his handkerchief across his forehead
It was Montani-beyond any question
Montani--and l instinctively shrank in
my seat and lifted my program as
he turned round and swiftly surveyed
the rows behind him.
l watched his black head intently
until l. remembered the superstition
that by staring at person in a pub.
lie place YOU can make him look at
you. MOntani knew a great many
things ] wanted to know, but I must !
have time to adjust myself to the
shock of his propinquity.
The house now took note of a stir
ring in the boxes. There was an ex
cited buzz as the tall form and TN
features of Cecil Arrow.
smith, the English actor, were recog.
nized. I had read that day of his
arrival in New York With him were
two women. My breath came hard and
clutched the iron frame of the seat
In front Of me so violently that its
occupant turned and glared.
The trio settled into their places
quickly. but not before I had satisfied
myself that Arrowsmiths companions
we're Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth. Az
hey fell into animated talk l saw that
Alice was in her gayest humOr. The
traged!an seemed greatly
by what she was saying to
him.
Must be members Of Arrowsmith's
one of my neighbors re.
"They open in two weeks
n Shakespearian repertoire"
Montani had half risen, the better
o focus an opera-gass on the box
The gong solemnly announced the sec.
md act, and Alice moved her chair
o face the stage. Once more Mon.
ami scanned the party with his glass
As the lights faded Alice, with the
'retty languorous gesture so well re
rendered, opened her fan-the fan
# ostrich plumes, that became a blur
# white that held my eye through the
Iusk after the curtain rose.
Alice, Montani, and the fan! To this
had now to add the new
lement introduced into the situation
y the apparent familiar acquaintance
4 Alice and Mrs. Farnsworth with
;ecil Arrowsmith. And yet, as the
LAY proceeded on its swift-movinQ
curse, reasoned that there was moth.
ng extraordinary in their knowing the
minent actor. He had long been
parsonage in England and had late.
been knighted. Their appearance
nth him at the theater really dis.
Osed of the idea that they might be
mposters. The presence OF Arrow.