Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-04-17

AT first in firing at him, especially when
we came to close quarters, used to point
IN, me plstol well over his head, according to
| me usual practice in such cases, for the
sake OF safety; but SO determined was he
to carry out the reality of the effect, that
ne insisted on my aiming straight at him.
"Depress your muzzle "a little, so as to
clear my face" said he, land no wadding
or flame can hurt me. The effect is absurd
TO see the pistol fired clean over me-"
This, therefore, did, though somewhat
reluctantly, for it is nasty feeling, that
OF deliberately taking aim at a man, even
| though you know tina the charge is harm
less. However, over md over again we
| repeated the scene-three shots each, the
intermediate business, then my fourth
the fatal one-Mark's fall, the girls en-
trance, and the tableau. Now, in this
same tall Rutherstone used to make, in my
humble Judgment, great mistake, and
ventured to tell him SO. | said that a man
shot III that way would assuredly fall for
ward, and not backward, as he did, and
that all those with whom | had ever CON
versed who had seen a man killed by a
bullet told me that the dead on battle
field were nearly all found face downward,
which fact had given rise to the express
sion, biting the dust" He disputed the
statement, and adhered to the one only lit
tie bit Of conventionality in his perform
ance
SO he persisted in his Gown business"
as we technically called it. The moment
l had fired he took one step toward me,
raised his arms, and fell fiat on his back
with heavy thud. 1t is true that by the
disposition of the characters on the stage
this gave capital opportunity for the
heroine to throw herself across his body,
and the arrangement was picturesque
enough, but to my mind it spoiled his
otherwise truthful Interpretation of his
part. He was not a conventional actor,
but this bit of acting was SO in the ex-
IRENE.
For over a week the piece was IN re
hearsal, during which time | could not
fail to notice the close intimacy which
sprung up or, more properly speaking,
was renewed between Julia Halworth and
Rutherstone. In a thousand little ways
Incidental to the actors art | saw that
something besides the merely inevitable
familiarity consequent upon playing to-
gcther had arisen between them, and |
likewise saw that this had started into life
all the latent fury with which l had cred
tied Caugar, in spite of his bland manners,
smooth smile and soft voice. There was
a desperate struggle going on within him
at times it cost him his utmost strength to
control himself. JealOusy-deep, revenge
full jealOusy-had taken possession Ofhim,
a Jealousy which must have sprung from
a sincerer love for the girl than had sup
posed him capable of, but it was only on
this item of his disposition that | had
wronged him; in all else he bore out, to
my keen eyes, my original idea of his ma
ture. In his capacity of stage manager
he was, OF course, present at the rehear-
sails, and, in addition to this, he played
the part of one of my seconds in the duel,
thus being continually brought into con
tact with every one concerned in the
scene.
1t was on these occasions that | noted
especially what was uppermost in his
mind Once I CHANGED upon him talking
with Miss Halworth as / passed down the
wing to go on. She had evidently Just
given him her ultimatum.
This, then, is your answer | heard
him mutter between his teeth, and almost
losing, in his Unsurpassed rage, the soft,
urbane tone of his usual voice. For this
| have been kept in miserable suspense
for two weeks. / little thought when |
came to terms with Rutherstone that was
wrecking my chances Of domestic happi-
ness for the sake of professional renown.
ConfOund him. he continued, in still
lower voice, as he turned away; "he shall
not wear her, though he has won her she
shall never be his wife; shall put an end
to this engagement first, by some means"
Julia had followed him to the wing and
said, hesitatingly, II must be candid; |
told you | did not think | could ever like
YOU and now that Bernal is here, | know
it; our old feeling has"
"Spare me that reference,' interpOsed
Cougar. This is no time for such d dis
cussion. You shall repent your conduct,
be sure You are called, Miss Halworth;"
and she had to go down to her entrance,
and await her cue.
Old he threaten herr" I thought
What would his savage nature lead him
to do? Anything," | said to myself as |
observed the diabolical expression which
had overspread his face.
Our last rehearsal has been gone through
TO the satisfaction of everybody. | had
made a final appeal to Rutherstone re-
spectine his fall, but with the greatest
good temper he told me to mind my own
business, and be sure not to fire the pistol
over his head, as I had still always a ten
dency and inclination to do.
Inc evening cdfneS luc mouse WIS
crowded The first three acts had done;
every body was delighted, and the act-drop
rose on the beautifully managed scene in
which the duel was to take place, There
| can be no doubt that, if this could be car
ried out in the realistic manner with
which everything else had been done, sue
cess was certain. Carried out in a reals
tic manner? God help me! Who could
have forctold the reality of what was to
follow? Who? Well, there was one per
son, | shall ever believe, who could have
done So but ! must not anticipate
At length the action had reached the
fatal moment. AS we crept closer togeth-
! er the three unsuccessful shots on either
side had been delivered amidst brcathless
expectation on the part of the audience;
| the pistol had been knocked from May
| burns hand, the suppressed terror and
| emotion SO palpable in a large assembly
| when its interest is thoroughly aroused
| and absorbed was at its height.
| A great deal of business was made OF
| the reloading for the next encounter. my
seconds drawing aside, as also did May
| burns, for the same purpose. Then the
| weapons were handed to us with great
ceremony, and we were once more face to
face; as the dialogue expressed it, ''at
! such close quarters as could scarcely fail
| to bring about fatal issue.'
| 1t was, Of course, again my turn to fire
| first | took the pistol from Cougars
hand. Weuld that mine a. that moment