nodding.

"That is the one you mean?" she said.

"Yes; that's Celey Dunbar," returned her companion; "and I repeat that I
want to warn you about her. Celey was Manager Morgan's sweetheart last
season. We all thought he was engaged to her at one time, but he soon
tired of her. She is as fond of him as ever, though, and she'll make it
hot for you if you don't watch out.

"Now, you see the girl in the long gray cloak, going on with her part
out there? Well, that's Dovie Davis. Her husband is the handsome,
dashing young fellow over yonder, who is to be your lover in the play.
She's as jealous as green-gages of him, and while he is making love to
you, on the stage, she'll be watching you from some entrance, as a cat
would a mouse, and woe be to you if you make your part too real! The
other lady over there is keeping company with that good-looking fellow
she is talking to; so keep your eyes off him.

"The fellow in the long ulster and silk hat I claim as my especial
property. Don't look so dumfounded, goosie; I mean he's my beau. We
always manage to get into the same company, and it would be war to the
knife with any girl who attempted to flirt with him."

"You need not be afraid of my ever attempting to flirt with him," said
Jessie gravely.

"Well, it doesn't come amiss to learn a thing or two in season,"
returned Mally, with a nod. "All theatrical companies pair off like
that.

"The other two young gents who passed by the wing a moment ago, and were
watching you so intently, are married. Now, let me repeat the lesson
again, so as to impress it upon your mind: Celey Dunbar is Manager
Morgan's ex-sweetheart; Mrs. Dovie Davis is married; that gay, jolly
girl is Daisy Lee, the soubrette of the company; she'd cut out any one
of us if she could; but she's so merry a sprite we don't mind her,
especially as none of the fellows take to her particularly."

To Jessie that rehearsal seemed like a bewildering dream. The ladies of
the company looked at her coldly, but the gentlemen were wonderfully
pleasant to her. They talked to her as freely as though they had known
her for years, instead of only an hour. This embarrassed Jessie
greatly; she hardly knew how to take this unaccustomed familiarity.

After rehearsal was over, Manager Morgan took her back to her hotel,
frowning darkly at Celey Dunbar, who made a bold attempt to walk with
them.

"Be ready at seven o'clock sharp," he said, as he left her at the door.

Left to he