Arizona weekly enterprise., 1881-10-29


 gling with her slayer.
 Weeks and months passed, but no clew to the murderer could be discovered, nor the object of the crime imagined. My life, robbed of its truest friend. seemed dull and melancholy. There was but one thing left for me to do, aEo that was to recall and act upon her ad- mentions, 80 that, if haply her spiri, looked down on me, she might bless my efforts. I left the State and sought in a Western State to give'a new direction to my life. But even here my reputation as an actor had preceded me- and was waited upon one evening by the mtn- ager of the local theater with the re- quest that would take the place of h:s leading man on the following evening, he being incapacitated by sickness from appearing. The piece was to be "Othel- To. :" accepted the proposal, pleased that my name had not been entirely forgotten by the public. The hotel at which l stopped was overcrowded, and the land lord informed me that 1 would have to share my room with a stranger. But the stranger when he came in, proved to be an old friend, and We talked far into the night of old times, mutual acquaintance, but especially of my forthcoming appearance as Othello on the next night. slept, and dreamed once again that was the veritable Moor of Venice, breathing into Desdemona's ear my vengeful, cruel purpose. WAS suddenly awakened by terrific pull at my hair, and found myself standing out in the middle of the floor engaged in & struggle with my friend. Ny hands were fastened in vise-like grip on his throat, and, even as I walked, his hold on my hair loosed, and he sank helpless- ly to the floor. There are moments in life when, like an electric flash, all that has been and much that is to be stands out clearly revealed, and, awe-struck, we gaze at the fearful prospect. The mys- tery of my mothers taking-of was no longer mystery {; it WAS these aeeursed hands that had done the deed, and con- demned me, like Ahasueras, to wander over the world, seeking relief and find ing none."
 With these words the young man con- cluded his tragic story, and, seizing his hat, opened the outer door and disap- peared in the darkness Nettie, with white face, but moistened eyes, hastened to the door with her purpose so clearly expressed in her manner that Charles cried out:
 "Have & care what you ere doing 1 You surely can't mean to offer that sleep-walker bed herei Ugh I choke at the thought of itl"
 Nettie shuddered, hesitated for mo- ment only, then, leaving the door ajar, stepped out. We could hear her voice, ] but could not distinguish the words, but ms reply was distinctly audible.
 You aA,a right. To me it seems as i my mothers v>a'ce spoke through you, bidding me cast oil unIs Gsrrden of re. morse and return to my art, w11ll tl,s resolve to win the name the future sure ly has in store for me"
 Several years later our family were surprised by the receipt of note, in- closing passes, from the manager of the B. Theater, inviting us to be present on the following evening, when Ameri- ca's greatest tragedian would open S weeks engagement The play was to | be "Othello." We were punctual on hand, and were politely conducted to g side box, whence shortly afterward we had no difficulty in recognizing, in the swarthy Moor who strode the stage, Nettie's quondam acquaintance.
 Between the acts the actor entered our box and claimed the privilege of re- newing an acquaintance so nauspicious- ly begun.
 "I shall invite myself once more to your home, said he, "nor will you fad me the objectionable guest that I for merly was. Before fame and fortune the dark specters that haunted my brain have dissolved like the mists oi morning and left me light-hearted and clear -visioned."
 Since then the actor has often beer our honored guest and idle rumor has | it-is the rumor idle ?. What, then, dc Nettie's blushes mean, as, bending ovel my shoulder as ] write, she asks ths question:
 Father, don't you think it would sound better if you were to christer your story The Tale of Tragedian ?