CHAPTER XVIII
THE THEATRE PARTY
It was a very merry party that took possession of the box that Mr.Southard had placed at their disposal and waited with ill-concealedimpatience for the rise of the curtain.
Anne's friends had thought her the ideal "Rosalind" in the High Schoolproduction of the piece, but her powers as an actress under the constantinstruction of Everett Southard had increased tenfold. His own marvelouswork was a source of inspiration to Anne, and from the instant that sheset foot upon the stage until the final fall of the curtain she becameand was "Rosalind."
Thrilling with pride as she eagerly watched Anne's triumph, Grace was ina maze of delight, and every round of applause that Anne received was asmusic to her ears. David, too, was more deeply moved than he liked toadmit even to himself. In his own heart he had a distinct fear that inspite of her assertions to the contrary, Anne might after all yield tothe call of her talent and seek a stage career. During the evening hebecame so unusually grave and silent that Grace, having an inkling ofwhat was passing in his mind, leaned over and said:
"Don't worry, David, she won't. I am sure of it. Her mind is fixed uponcollege."
David drew a long breath of almost relief. "I believe it if you say so,Grace; it has worried me a lot, however. She is such a wonderful littleactress."
"Nevertheless, take my word for it, she won't," was the assuring answer.
After the play was over, the visit behind the scenes being next on theprogramme, Mrs. Gibson and her charges were conducted through a longpassage to the back of the house. The boys were taken to Mr. Southard'sdressing room, and Mrs. Gibson and the five girls to Anne's.
There were many exclamations over the cosy dressing room which Anneoccupied. As is the case in most of the recently built theatres, thestar's dressing room had been comfortably furnished and was in directcomparison to the cheerless, barn-like rooms that make life on the roada terror to professional people.
"You see, I have had you right with me," smiled Anne, who was seated ata dressing table taking off her make-up with cold cream. She pointed toa photograph that the Phi Sigma Tau had had taken the previous summer.
"Only one face missing to-night," said Grace in low tones as she drewher chair close to Anne's.
"Have you found out anything else?" asked Anne in the same guardedtones.
"Nothing very important," replied Grace. "Marian and Henry Hammond havehad some sort of quarrel. Nora saw them pass the other day withoutspeaking."
"That's a step in the right direction", said Anne. "Once she has droppedhim for good and all, she'll begin to see her own folly. Then she'llcome back and be her old self again."
"I hope so," sighed Grace.
Then the conversation became general and the two girls had no furtheropportunity for discussion of the subject.
Just as Anne had completed her dressing, a knock sounded on the door,and Mr. Southard's deep voice called out:
"All aboard for the actors' retreat."
"Come in, Mr. Southard," said Anne, and the door opened to admit theeminent actor, who looked bigger and handsomer than ever in his longcoat and soft black hat.
Then Anne presented him to Mrs. Gibson, and a general handshakingensued.
For the third time that night they were handed into the "uncomplainingbut over-worked taxicab," according to Nora's version, and set out forthe Southard home.
The entire party promptly fell in love with Miss Southard, who was thecounterpart of her brother, except that she was considerably older, andshe apparently returned their liking from the moment of meeting.
"I know every one of you," she said. "Anne talks of no one else to me.Your fame has already preceded you."
The Southards proved to be hospitable entertainers, and exerted everyeffort in behalf of their young guests. The time slipped by on wings,and it was well after one o'clock before any one thought of returning tothe hotel.
"I am not a very reliable chaperon," laughed Mrs. Gibson, "to allow mycharges to keep such late hours as this."
"It's only once in a life time," remarked Nora.
"How very cruel," said Mr. Southard solemnly. "I had hoped that youwould all honor us again with your society."
"I didn't mean that," she cried, laughing a little. "I only meant thatthis was a red-letter night for us. We are basking in the light ofgreatness."
"Very pretty, indeed," was the actor's reply, and he gave Nora one ofhis rare, beautiful smiles that caused her to afterwards aver that hewas truly the handsomest man in the whole world.
With many expressions of pleasure for the delightful hours they hadpassed, the revelers bade the Southards good night and good-bye.
"I am going to give a special party to the Phi Sigma Tau and these youngmen, when my season closes," announced the actor as they stood in thewide hall for a moment before leaving. "I trust that you may be able toagain assume the role of chaperon," he added to Mrs. Gibson.
"I shall need no second invitation," replied Mrs. Gibson. "But may I nothope to see your sister and yourself at Hawks' Nest, in the nearfuture?"
"You are indeed kind," responded Mr. Southard. "It would be a distinctpleasure and perhaps I may be able to arrange it. My season is to be ashort one."
"Get your things and come with us, Anne," teased Grace. "We've loads ofthings to talk of, and you can breakfast with us, and go to the train,too. Please don't say no, because you won't see us again for three wholeweeks."
"I give you my official permission to carry her off, this one time,Grace," laughed Mr. Southard.
"Better wear your long coat, dear. It is very cold," called MissSouthard as Anne ran upstairs after her wraps.
Then the final good-byes were said and the party were driven back totheir hotel.
Mrs. Gibson invited Miriam to share her apartment, thus Grace and Annewere left to themselves, and indulged in one of their old heart-to-hearttalks.
Breakfast the next morning was a late affair. After breakfast, theentire party went for a drive, and after a one-o'clock luncheon repairedto the station.
Mrs. Gibson, James Gardiner and the Phi Sigma Tau were to take the 2.30train for Oakdale. The boys would leave at five o'clock. Tom and Arnoldwere to travel part of the journey with David, Hippy and Reddy. Thentheir ways diverged.
The girls kissed and embraced Anne tenderly, then there was a rush forthe ferry. They stood on the deck waving to her until they couldscarcely see the flutter of her handkerchief. After agreeing to meet theboys at the ferry, David escorted Anne back to the Southard's and spenta brief half hour with her.
"Promise me, Anne," said David earnestly, as he was leaving, "that youwon't accept any engagement that you may receive an offer of."
"Of course not, you foolish David," replied Anne. "Notwithstanding thefact that you won't believe me, I solemnly promise to run fromprospective managers, as I would from small-pox, and there's my handupon it."
"I am satisfied," answered David, grasping her out-stretched hand. "Iknow you will keep your word."
Grace Harlowe's Senior Year at High School Page 18