The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-18
AN ACTORS STORY.
Related BY JOHN COLEMAN
CHAPTER XVIII.
END or THE JOURNEY.

Nearly I'VE years had elapsed since the
day Curly and Imet and parted on the
Queens highway.
L had emerged from the crowd" and
was starring at the Theatre Royal, Glas-
gov, from whence had to go to Aberdeen
for six nights 1 closed in Glasgow ON Sat
urday, and had to open in Aberdeen ON
Monday Railways were now, more or less.
all over Scotland, but through SONS prei,,-
dice, derived from the Dark Ages, there
was still no communication between Glas-
gov and Edinburgh on Sunday. SoreIy
exercised in my mind as to how was to
get through In time to open at Aber-
deem, i strolled down Argyle street on Sun.
day morning toward the railway station
when perceived in the crowd in the oppo-
site direction, and oertopping every one
around, stately. white bearded man. with
the head 'and front of Jove himself"
Although had never seen him since the
night we me- IN Paisley could not be mis-
taken-it was Lang Willie"
For years had pondered on the nobility
the beauty, the self-socrifice of that manly
nature-the misfortunes of his unhappy
friend | knew the prolonged struggles
they had encountered with poverty. and /
was really delighted at the thought that the
prosperity of the poor lad whom he had
perhaps to bsfriend him, so made NV yyav
towards Mr.. Jameson and, sans ceremonie.
reminded him of the circumstances of our
sl9ht acquaintance five years back.
GOOD heavens, ne saIo, you don-r mean
to say you are that slip OF a lad who was
with old Pike In Paisley five years agol
Well, 1 should never have thought #. y
Then he told me he had been to the theatre.
had seen my Hamlet and he said some
civil things about it.
1t was getting nigh dinner time, and
persuaded him to come to the hotel and dine
with me- After dinner the conversation
turned on my journey to Aberdeen, and the
difficulty / anticipated in getting through
to Edinburgh. To my establishment and
delight, he said:
well, this meeting is as fortunate as it
Is pleasant. Not an hour before met you
received the welcome news that the final
decision in the case of Jameson and Miller
VS.. MacAllister and Others had been given in
our favor. am only awaiting a telegram
to enable me to start for Aberdeen, and take
possession OF the estate at once. I'll tell
you what I'll do. rll call for you here at
II o'clock tonight with a coach and pair
and well drive to Edinburgh together, and
catch the express for Aberdeen in the morn
ing"
At II o'clock he came according to prom
ise We caught the mail at Edin burgh and
arrived at Aberdeen at about II ON Sunday
night Although we were fHtigued, the
journey had been pleasant one for me.
Before we partedfor the night Mr.. Jamie
son said: 'Of course you know my poor
friends sad story. Tomorrow is the anni-
versary of the great misfortune Of his life.
Every year he regularly disappears at this
time FOR month or more, and as year sue
cesds year he seems more and more broken
down, and I'm getting very anxious about
him. For two years have been out OF an
engagement and we have had very hard
times, and now that brighter days are in
store, poor fellow, it would be hard if he
could not share this good fortune, and /
hope l am not selfish when | say it would be
hard for me, too, to be left alone in my old
age without friend"
was up early, having a 10 o'clock re-
hearsaL As had only my scenes to run
through in THE Lady of Lyons" and as
both Pauline and the widow had played
their parts with me before, l had finished
by - o'clock, when Jameson called for me
to accompany him to the house Of his Co
executor, Dr. Miller
The two old friends met with ELUSIVE con-
gratulations as to the final result Of the pro-
tracted law suit 1t was quite touching to
see the fearful delight of Jeannie MacPher-
son at the sight of Willie, but more touching
still it was to see the welcome accorded him
by the doctors only daughter, lovely. fair
haired girl Of Is. / thought then, and I
think still, that Maggie Miller is altogether
the most charming, guileless and beautiful
creature had ever seen in my life. Acct
dent-sheer accident-had led me to my
fate. If hadn't gone to Paisley with Pike
Shouldn't have known Willie Jameson
perhaps l should have known nothing about
Curly, most certainly i should never have
known Maggie Miller. All, my darlingl 1
loved you from that moment, and But /
am becoming personal, and the interest Of
this story centers in its unfortunate hero,
not upon mere fly on the wheel
Presently Willie inquired Of the doctor il
he had seen Curly, for he was due that very
day. For years he had never failed to pre-
sent himself at Breadalba terrace by noon
on this sad anniversary. We waited until
about 2o'clock, then every body got anxious.
Although it was in the 'smerrie month Of
May"-bv one of those strange freaks Of the
''clerk of the weather, " by no means unusual
in Scotland-snow had fallen heavily over
night Jameson feared that his poor friend
might have been overtaken by the snow
storm. At last he could endure the suspense
no longer, so he proposed to 60 out and see
If they could obtain any news. The doctor
told Maggie to slip on her hat and cloak and
accompany us As we were leaving the
house, JEANNE came into the hall, equipped
for walking, and said:
doctor let me gang, too, and show you
the way i ken where to find the puir
laddie. 1 ken weel eneuch-I saw him
thrice yestreen."
Saw whomP said the doctor; 'why did
ye not tell us then, We daft old gowkf'
Because l hoped my dream would ma
hold, but it'll be over true, I'm gey sure;
but-there-step out, and ses for yoursels"
So saying, she stepped rapidly before us.
The doctor and Willie walked side by side,
talking to each other in anxious undertones;
and MY mean Miss Miller and 1 brought
up the rear.
1t was a lovely day; the sun shone bright
ly, melting the snow ON the tree tops which
stood forth green and bright, the glowing
beauties of the chestnut blossoms contrast
ing wildly with the green leaves and the
sparkling white Of the crisply frozen snow
which lay upon the ground, and which as