Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-10-15
at il5Ala9Ipn 8 ianA.lTd
AN ACTORS STORY.
Related ~ JOHN COLEMAN.
CHAPTER II.

THE FATAL ANNIVERSARY
Meanwhile Curly was busy with his re-
hearsals in town. AT length came tie
night of his debut. All through tn, early
portion Of the play he impressed tie au Hence
most favorably, and each succ.e ling act
Confirmed rhe impression. o mnuet i'll
the masquerade scene was danced b.. iim
" tn such supple elegance that he compile. ed
his conquest of the capricorn, public. The
sies we're in raptures with the new come
dan, and even the men ware unwi!linslv
moved to admiration. The debuIant : sue
Cess was assured-a brilliant future lay be-
fore him.
When be returned to his room to make h.s
Change for the last act large parcel Law
upon his dressing table. lie mo;ioned fhe
dresser to unpack it. When be had fin shed
changing he looked at the content, Of the
parcel There was quantity o. fresh
i'rwers, and letter directed in the hand he
knew so we'll. His heat stood still for a
moment; then he took courage There
would be few kind words, perhaps; some
thing to give him a heart of grace. He
tone open the envelope. and stood for a
mcmen: like man Transformed to stone.
Traced in characters of fire he saw the
fatal words:
AHtSC th'NfhtN are " dlt-Nn titstt "a
Ma Aiis er Is not m; vie; All cali God
70 witne = tia reih-r Eow nor herca.tcr
will sea-. 10 becorI, h. huSi.a d.
'DcyALD CAMPBELL
'Dudhope Ferr,. NJ II, IS"
Good Coil 1t was Nay 1oth that vn''v
day. Yes, twelve months to day. almost
to an hour; ami now mis- accursed thing ha
come to remind him OF hi, hunuliat on his
uI - Hon Of
which he had been the victim Griei
shame, rage, despair filed his heart AMI
fired his brain, AMI with a wild err the IN
fortunate man fell senseless to the ground
At that moment the manager. who hal
come round to congratulate him. entered
his dressing room. Mr. c. took stock of
tho situation at once. 'Quickl to my room;
bring bottle Of whisky-sharp's the wordr'
said he to the dresser
Sharp was the word. AMI in minute the
dresser was back with the whisky. The
manager in the interim had unloosed Curly 8
cravat and bathed his forehead with eau de
cologne. Then he administered glass or
two OF neat whisky; the effect was as in
Simultaneous as remarkable. Curly pulled
himself together, said something about be-
ing overcome with heat AMI excitement,
p!ckef up the letter, put it into his pocket,
accepted the managers congratulations ar
ranged boutonniere from the flowers for
his last scene, slipped on his dressing gown.
thought he would have another glass Of
whisky, and rushed on the stage.
1t will be remembered that this is the sit
uatlon in which Doricourt pretends to go
mad. By this time Curly had got the audi
ence in the ball of his hand, and could do
just what he likei with them. Round fol-
lowed round Of applause, roar followed roar
OF laughter, and Curly laughed, too-in-
deed. he laughed louder than an one. Ev!-
IDENTIFY he was enjoying the performance
quite as much as the spectators.
When the scene was over he returned to
his dressing room, slipped on his coat,
'slipped into" the whisky, and finishei the
bottle. Decidedly he was enjoying himself
Yesl b was having o fine high old time of