Even the other members of the company were laughing at his
discomfiture.
Only a little brunette in pink tights who played Siebel, and whom he had
never met before, had a look of sympathy for him.
"It's a tough audience. Don't mind them," she whispered.
Mogley has never seen or heard of the little brunette since. But he
anticipates eventually to behold her ranking first after Alice among the
angels of heaven.
The curtain fell and Mogley, somewhat dazed in mind, mechanically removed
his apparel, washed off his "make-up," donned his worn street attire and
his haughty demeanour, and started for home.
Home! Behind him failure and derision. Before him, Alice, dying, waiting
impatiently his return, the news of his triumph.
"We won't need you to-morrow night, Mr. Mogley," said the stage manager as
he reached the stage door. "Mr. Hexter told me to pay you for to-night.
Here's your money now."
Mogley took the envelope as in a dream, answered not a word, and hastened
homeward. He thought only:
"To tell her the truth will kill her at once."
Mrs. Mogley was awake and in a fever of anticipation when Mogley entered
the little room.
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