Show j i r lor h it I f t 1 r r I I t- t J. J u- u 1 J i O iT II Ok 1 y q r fr j i THE GHOST W ALKS DJA Theatrical Story By Copyright p 1001 r b by Strict Smith EY WONT WON'T stand It So thero Q And the ginger In the soubrettes soubrette's soubrettes soubrette's sou- sou brettes brette's tono tone matched the tho 1 t 1 tint of ut her colored name t Its an nn outrage fly lly put In n the low comedian comei come come- i 4 titan dian whose whose street face tace lf Its 1 F such an Jin expression bo permissible pert per per- t p would havo liaro do done dono no fir credit r lt to tho the melancholy i Dane Daue my salary is r pall paid tonight I shall refuse 1 to ao go on observed Helmont Hel- Hel mont month the leading man y who 1 by 11 the tc way had ht fo fomented fo- fo v In meted by ever every means his power tho the discontent pre al prevalent nt among tho the com corn linn pany Way Vay out In n Luno over o 1000 miles mlles from Crom tho the RIalto alto and only driblets for fOI the tho last t two WO wc weeks k i I Proceeded time the soubrette who like Ti E-Ti most or of the tho tt t wornon In that line o of ws had ad n. n most mott fluent h now flow w loads of ot It H. of ot language And he hI must have money montoy hidden hidden away somewhere H Its If always tb poor actor who boa baa to suffer whilo the Iho tn manager lives on the fat tat of thor tho r land He's Hes got to pony up that's that all nil There was a murmur of or assent ant from the little group of or the Grand Opera collected together upon the stage sta House in Things s hid hail had been ben going from bad to worse wore and aill were now note at their low lowest t ebb with tho the Hurley Star Company which was touring louring the cities and towns of ot the Southwest When he was at tho the head of ot ft II stock company In tho thriving city of ot success had hall crowned the tho efforts ot of Daniel Hurl Burley tho g genial manager as ho was waif always r referred to in tho the newspapers but when ho started start start- different tale to tell ed cd trouping It t there was as a very ery Everything E thing had seemed to go against him and the tho business bust busi JH ness 8 1 had been anything but satisfactory tory Thera were several reasons for tor this unpleasant state of ot affairs ball bad bad looking hooking too man many one ono night stands unseasonably warm weather and a leading man whose bibulous habits mado made him anything but reliable Matters Hatters had now come to a n climax Salaries wore were considerably in arrears and the member members mem mem- bers ber of or the thc company compan were close upon onen oven ouen revolt It was 1 for tor this lids reason that the m meeting on on the stage stagG hAt hart taken place The manager had met the tho assemblage In that smiling friendly way of his and for a n time had bad disarmed them then by copious compliments and specious promises But nut almost Imme Immediately upon his departure the tho storm broke forth again and with redoubled Intensity All AIl were desperate all here fore were indignant but no one could offer an any definite plan of ot action by which their empty pockets could J be e replete ro To follow Dolmont's Belmont's suggestion and refuse to go on would be simply to take takeaway away the chance of oC receiving a share of oC whatever tho the receipts of or the performance that night might be Not ot even the shadow of ot a gho ghost t would walk Moreover this was the last night of at the engagement In The next day the they were to move on to a prosperous and ard goo good theatrical thE elt city where better belter results might confidently be anticipated te 1 j But Bat ho how would they get awn away without paying their IT V board bOA bills t. t The discussion was wall waxing fast and furious but nevertheless it less was 0 Incoherent when there appeared app upon upon seine Seene e a perso personage e who ho was at t once one appealed to as ast r. r o t r. r J t I it 1 f tm mt r J k aum tl N tam iny i ii i e r g I tio me 18 VIA yh i k ha once been boon a ater at Mr r of ot no little little ma ma magnitude but In mere Increasing st s- s t lug Ins avoirdupois th that shudder compelling bugbear of ot all an had forced lier Imer Into the position of ot first old wo woman In fn which however she was inimitable and a aro as s Kt groat ro t popular favorite Accompanying h her r K was a young man of ot graceful t. t bearing bearing and nd dark a a. expressive e face Lance Lanco j tia n H pupil and of Mama Moma Monty's Monts had through her influence obtained a 1 position o in the th Hurley Company And nf In the parts harts assigned to him had displayed no small decree de reo of ability r He was a manly unaffected young youns chap but his f awfully sorry for tor you yott I t- t M m. m. m Interrupted Belmont with sarcastic i- i why dont don't ou lend us tho money tion If Ir youre you're oure so 50 sorry stirn you to pay our bills If U report sl speaks caks true you ou could doso doso do doso so easily enough enouch MYs rs Carey Carty her head heM haughtily as sho she had been wont to do In tragic role rote and her still fino eyes ees Hashed ominously In her whole attitude was tho th assurance assurance assur assur- ance of ot tho the has been and the pretension not wholly holl false In her case of oC tho the Is Still there was no evidence of ot anger In her voice as is ih th replied cold coldly I and distinctly Because I know Mr Belmont what actors like you arc and there are ore many of at them Walt till I finIsh as Belmont essayed to speak Youve started me off arc and Im I'm going to have o my s say Sho She paused Just an instant and then pro They borrow and the they mean to pay Oh Oh yes esthey es they mean menn to pay pay pay-I'm Im I'm not sarcastic But Dut when they get the tho money there Is a convenient con procrastination they oral need so M much with that roS d ready money mon They say Y sayto sayto to themselves nn and In nil alt sincerity I o o that debt and nd Ill I'll pay It some zomo time Then In iii their eyes this acknowledgment acknowledgment half discharges cs the indebtedness and that some sorno sometime I kno know the know the the artistic tem tem- time becomes never Oh Oh yes s somo some of ot you would say a Bah Jah I Let Jet them foret forget for for- forget get et that artistic temperament which Is their proudest boast and their greatest weakness Let thorn them come down downto to business 8 Oh I I know with a a. nod as os If answering some or e Un unspoken l comment I nm an 0 actress 01 myself el have Vo been hen ono one all m my life and I lovo 10 m my profession slon Am I 1 thin tho mother then who ho Is going back baek on her own flesh and blood Perhaps But the lie mother who sees the tha faults In her o own n children and would correct them Dear mo mot mel with a a. laugh lauch and a n change chanGo o of manner so 80 abrupt th that t had It been before tho public it would have havo brought forth forum a n round of applause Dear me That isa is isa a n. pretty prett long speech for a n first old woman to m l make Isn't it But then lien you OU see seC perhaps I J haven't forgotten th the tho tico Ico when I was starring as tho the Southern Sylph Sylph beaten heaven avo Savo tho the mark markl and markl-and I-ami I and hail had tho tiro centre of oC tho the to myself calcium c on me and spouted speeches ft n yard 1111 long lone to The bubbling laughter accompanying the these e last words was so to Infectious that It ed removed from the little tittle knot of listeners any resentment her criticism might have caused r 1 they knew know most of ot them from personal experience ex ex- that with one of or the most caustic of tongues Mama llama Monty possessed one of ot tho tiro kindliest hearts In tho the profession proCessIon There was one however how who was far Car from tram b being mollified Belmont Delmont the tho lea leading man was conceit per per- Criticism In any t form rm of his lordly self was a a. deadly l affront Besides this he had a n long long- standing grudge against asE Mrs Mra Irs Carey who he knew saw sa through him although he would not have put it In that way So it was with an ugly look in his bloodshot eyes that he said with sneering insolence e Shamo Shame upon you madam shame Youre You're a R. bird that befouls Its Us own nest Those others ma may stand for tor yon you Insults It If th they like but I for ono one am sick of or your att attempting tor to boss the whole show What hat lashing himself into fury tury an tn n old harridan lIke you you you- But nut before beCore he ht could proceed further young son lon had sprung In front of ot him his face tace flushed fished with resentment and Indignation That will do del he ho warningly Not r another word of or that sort Amazed at this Interruption Belmont Delmont stood stock- stock still and t then hen he demanded furiously Curiously lIon flow dare daro you ou you OU whippersnapper II How will you clop atop me Id I'd like to know Jf It you OU utter uttel another word derogatory to Mrs Carey Carer wa was the tha firm quiet response Ill give you tho the soundest thrashing you OU over o received In your our life lire Those Thole about gasped In astonishment and for the lime themO mO mem moment tnt forgot their troubles In this now sensation Bal Bal- B lmont l- l m mont mt fro iron sitter se self n had been a 0 sort orL u ot master r spirit among them and this yas eM th L fi fit t they had owr ever hC heard heird him J For an Instant It seemed as It If the lea leading ln man were brut about to h. leap Jt upon oc But there was Wa something something some some- thing In 11 the young nn tern set t face faco that told him he was quite vf of f carrying out hIs Ills threat and made m him conclude that discretion was discretion was the tho better belter part of It valor So ho he gave ge a R. theatrics nce of or scorn at Mrs Careys Carey's s champion and turned awn away ay with what was Intended as a R. Inu laugh h of contempt but which had a 0 ring of or pusillanimity in It ft Meanwhile Mrs rs Care Carey had hall laid a a. restraining hand r. r fie z r f 4 r I 1 J t t ji i Y r 1 rs r i r rt I IJ sue r rY rr 4 I t r r. r Y El 4 t t. t 4 v l' l I I I- I isIf If you JOU utter another word Ota tho derogatory atory to Mrs Carey CarCy was nas 35 the firm quiet quiet t response Til siva giro you you oti t t. soundest thrashing you o over c received in your our life II eu s had aroused tho the jealous animosity of or c contain certain members of or tho 1110 company who had been n ln longer in tho time profession than he hc This Tula was WR peculiarly so 61 in ht the Iho c case capo io of lC who suspected Mrs O Carey and not without some orne math rath I It must be confessed o of an intention tilI to place co A a as a leading man at some future date dote There Thero had been one Olt or two passages at arms het between the h. two men In which aon had como come off tho the victor n fact which served to ion Ian tb the hires fires or of Belmont's via via- The company crowded round Mrs Ira Carey Corey all talking I tOg together and each cl one ome trying to explain to tu he her r the tho situa tion with t which she sho was Iren already y thoro thoroughly familiar At last t sho she raised her hand for tOI atlases e with a a. tort ort of or regal gesture which which was at once obeyed M m. she slip began with that peculiar purring sot SOl mil habitual to her lei and anil which meant so 0 o much ot or so 80 little lUlle Just a as she ahe designed deafened it should hould And no so youve you've had a talk with Mr tr Hurley lurley have you Yea Yo v and much nuch wood hOod It jt dill did snarled snarled Belmont Delmont To Mrs airs Carey's Careys practiced It f eye eyo was WIlS apparent that he had been drinking although h he was not lIot strictly speaking peAking Lots Lot of or soft sawder but no real stuff My I landlady wont won't let me RO so without my trunk tear tearfully Cully ted Interjected ono one or ot the young women t I I Rait Teal Belmont Delmont scornfully Do what I 1 do Reu Refuse e to act That'll soon lIoon bring Hurley lurley to terns tern Mrs gave ga him one ono swift contemptuous look foal I but hut said Solid nothing She Sho had no sympathy with the actor who strikes She Sue was too much O of or mi un artist to lat h her hr r audience no matter how small that audience nip t be Cant ant you advise us us Mama Monty pleaded tho the s to libretto r I. i. i of t f M m. m mn-m-m mn Upon Uvon my word It Is too bad bid and I am are amI I 1 on arm and shoo sho said suld c calmly m Dont bother with him Lance In my day leading men mety were actors and gentlemen Now It seems that domn ciomo of or them arc neither hc I Belmont affected not to hear The ho soubrette who In spite of ur her taint nf nt t vulgarity was a goud hearted good girl 1 forward and insisted on shaking hands handle off effusively jl with Now ladles ladies and gentlemen said Mrs Mm Carey just justa a is a word worth more If It you OU will put the matter In tn my hand hands handle I f see soo O w what nt I can do with Mr Hurley Yes yes cs Go ahead Hurrah t for r you ou Mama MOnty The Time acquiescence In her hel proposal was Wt universal un un- un- un lest less Belmont who v at lt all ev c ma made e no spoken objection bo bu excepted x Walt alt here then until I return I would like lIko to have you OU go RO with me Mr Ir With th MYs S Carey Carry started for the stage door loor follow fol- fol low owed d ll by Lance 1 Belmont as he Imo looked after aUer them item snickered n In m ridi cule and amid cald In a stage Look at him him get under her wing Ins Mother Iother Careys Carey's chicken Indeed The The- young man heard but bat paying no attention whatever what what- ever evor followed calmly In Mama Mont Monty's Moiety's s wake wAite nee outside Mrs Carey Iuey addressed no word to hr her companion hut smut proceeded as 39 rapidly ns her bulk would p permit round to tho front of ot othe he he house through the cs ves- timed and up to the box office Thor Ther- were no purchasers ers of or seats there and there there- 0 fort fou- theme was no delay In III obtaining speech with tho the ticket setter heller behind ld the lit window I 1 to see tice Mr Hurley demo Mrs Ir Carey The he ticket s seller lI r. r who recognized nd the actress stammered stammered stam stam- find and tried to forni COlm some excuse Xo r that wont won't I do O declared Mrs Mra Irs Care Carey sharply And nd then titer she suddenly added raising her voice as she caw that a door leading from rom the box omco to a lL private 1 loom beyond was ajar I know youre you're there Daniel Hurley and I 1 mean to see you ou You know I 1 G generally lly get what hal 1 want so you'd you'll better let me ate In at al once Yes YE'S Hurley was there and after octer a n moments moment's reflection reflection renee renee- tion Ion ho tic recognized tho the futility of or resistance although ho Ito was in a measure in hiding and had hod resolved not to ace co another member ember of ot his company compan that day Anathematizing all old women In general and this n ens In particular ho admitted Mrs Mr Carey nn and her teJO pr to the thc sanctum The Tho lady swept In In and with an 10 air nh o of determination and antI without being Invited took a seat scat followed followed fol fol- lowed Io feeling rather uncomfortable and out of oC place The managers manager's r ruddy u d d y countenance was ns less leu florid than usual and his customary custom custom- nry ary broad brond smile mlle revealing ro tho the gleaming teeth which had h won for tOr him th the lime epithet of ot genial had bad vanished hed Altho Although h sho she knew know him and his methods well rs Corey Carey could not help foel- foel ing In a bit sorry lorry for Cor him It was wan in n a resolute manner lOer however that sho she opened the co conversation Now 0 Daniel Ive I've come como comoto cometo to havo have a a. 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