BY PROXY.
BY PROXY.
BY PROXY.
B. C. Taylor.
{Illustrations by M. S. Sherman.}
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HarrySt. Albans was good looking, that was conceded by all. His father was wealthy, and Harry was the especial admiration of all the young ladies. Whether from his ability to entertain, his good looks, or his father’s wealth, no party or private theatrical of any account was a success without him as principal actor. At college he had been a member of the dramaticclub, and taken one of the leading parts in “The Rivals.”
The wonder of every one was, that Harry did not get married. There surely were several young ladies whom one in his circumstances might be proud of taking for a wife, but he stubbornly adhered to bachelorhood, and prospective mothers-in-law became more abashed as he obstinately resisted the charms of all the young ladies.
Woman looking right
It was on the evening of the 30th day of December that Harry was at a party given in honor of Mrs. Slocum’s friend. At first sight of her hewas captivated; she was the belle of the season, they told him, and he did not doubt it. In every movement there was a charming grace, and the mellowest pair of blue eyes seemed to laugh at him all the time. Her words seemed like music to Harry’s ears, with that rich, Italian accent which only a woman of great accomplishments possesses.
When he departed that evening, it was with the greatest reluctance that he left her side. And as he put on his coat and went out into the cold night, his mind still wandered back to a pair of blue eyes. In every window he seemed to see that pair of blue eyes watching him.What was the trouble? He, a confirmed bachelor, being so agitated by a pretty face and a pair of blue eyes.
Finally he reached his home, and now he was trying to forget the happenings of the evening. But those eyes still pursued him in his sleep. Upon awakening, he knew that it was all a dream; yet not all, for those eyes were a reality.
“Harry,” said his father, “when you are in the city to-day I wish you would call on my old friend, Tom Harris, and give him my best wishes for his success. To-night is New Year’s eve, and he is to open his new theatre, ‘The Grand Royal,’ and his daughter, who has latelyreturned from abroad, is to be the leading actress.” Of course Harry would be only too glad to call on his father’s old friend; and the first place he went, on his arrival in the city, was to the private office of “The Grand Royal.”
“Henry St. Albans’ son? Oh! yes, but you will excuse me for a moment. I have some urgent business with my leading actor. Please step into the office for a moment,” replied Manager Harris, when Harry introduced himself.
Man leaning on arm
The door was left ajar, and he could not very well help hearing the conversation. It seems that Oscar Redmond, who was one of the most promising actors of the day, had thefailing of a great many actors, and would drink occasionally, yet seldom get intoxicated. That morning, however, he had been out with some of the boys, and as all wished to drink to his success, he had indulged rather too freely, and in such a condition he had come to the manager of “The Grand Royal” and demanded an exorbitant salary, above the amount specified in the contract. Mr. Harris refused, saying that he would rather close his theatre than submit to such an outrage, and Redmond left, declaring that he would not appear that night.
“Harry,” began the manager as he returned, “did you”—“Yes, I heard every word, Mr. Harris; but perhaps I can aid you in some way.”
“You?” “Yes, years ago when I was at college I was considered a good impersonator and quick to learn my part,” said Harry, “and if you have no objection I will learn the lines this morning and rehearse with the company in the afternoon.”
“But can you take this part?” said Mr. Harris, with a peculiar accent on the you. “I don’t want to have a bad performance on the opening night, it will almost ruin my reputation.”
“You can rely on me,” said Harry,“I played just such a part in ‘The Rivals’ when at college, and my friends told me I would miss my calling unless I took the stage for my profession?”
“Harry, you’re a brick!” said the manager, slapping him on the shoulder, “and if you succeed, I’ll do anything in my power for you.”
The rehearsal was gone through with successfully, all being present except the leading lady, who wished to save her strength for the evening performance.
The theatre was crowded, for Oscar Redmond was an excellent actor and a great favorite. Just before going on the stage, Harry was introduced to the leadingactress. He was thunderstruck; it was the lady with the blue eyes.
Never did actor play with more enthusiasm and fervor, never was a love scene more realistic; for the time being Harry forgot he was reciting so many words, but he was pleading his own cause with a love that knew no bounds. If one had been watching Harry with an opera glass, as he knelt at the feet of the heroine, he could have seen him raise a dainty hand to his lips and kiss it. It was all that Harry wanted; for to him it meant that he had been accepted—not by the lady in the play, but by the girl whose blue eyes had won him the night before.
The audience was thunderous in its applause, and curtain calls were numerous. The next day Oscar Redmond, shamefaced yet curious, appeared at Mr. Harris’s private office. The morning papers were lavish in their praise of the young actor, and he was anxious to learn the meaning of it. When he was told that his part had been taken so admirably by another, he made his first New Year’s resolution, which he has never broken.
“And now, Mr. Harris,” said Harry, “I ask, as the fulfilment of your promise of yesterday, the hand of the sweetest and best girl that ever lived, that of your daughter.”
“But what of the young lady,Harry? Surely, she ought to be consulted first.” “She has already accepted me,” replied Harry, “it now remains with you.”
“I am only too glad to give my consent,” said Mr. Harris, and a moment later Harry was receiving congratulations from Oscar Redmond and a score of new made friends.