[Heroines-bcast2000] this particula

[Spece <bu...@cr...>]

 would be pleased to witness its first production in Washington. I am
told that the South has very fair treatment in the play. I confess I
should like to see the performance myself." Miss Lydia threw up her
hands in silent despair. Still, as the tickets were bought, they might
as well be used. So that evening, as they sat in the theater listening
to the lively overture, even Miss Lydia was minded to relegate their
troubles, for the hour, to second place. The Major, in spotless linen,
with his extraordinary coat showing only where it was closely buttoned,
and his white hair smoothly roached, looked really fine and
distinguished. The curtain went up on the first act of _A Magnolia
Flower_, revealing a typical Southern plantation scene. Major Talbot
betrayed some interest. "Oh, see!" exclaimed Miss Lydia, nudging his
arm, and pointing to her program. The Major put on his glasses and read
the line in the cast of characters that her fingers indicated. Col.
Webster Calhoun .... Mr. Hopkins Hargraves. "It's our Mr. Hargraves,"
said Miss Lydia. "It must be his first appearance in what he calls 'the
legitimate.' I'm so glad for him." Not until the second act did Col.
Webster Calhoun appear upon the stage. When he made his entry Major
Talbot gave an audible sniff, glared at him, and seemed to freeze solid.
Miss Lydia uttered a little, ambiguous squeak and crumpled her program
in her hand. For Colonel Calhoun was made up as nearly resembling Major
Talbot as one pea does another. The long, thin white hair, curly at the
ends, the aristocratic beak of a nose, the crumpled, wide, raveling
shirt front, the string tie, with the bow nearly under one ear, were
almost exactly duplicated. And then, to clinch the imitation, he wore
the twin to the Major's supposed to b