The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-20
In Love With an Actor.

Got over your strange delusion, my
old friendP"
Earle Minturn, the leading man OF
the Thalia, looked up from the part he
was studying to learn who had so un-
tremendously intruded upon his
privacy. A single glance was suffi-
cient, and, throwing his book aside, he
sprang to his feet and gave him the
warmest greeting.
Charley Jourdine, by all that is
wonderful! From what portion of the
earth has II favorable wind blown you,
my dear feIlow?"
"Well, I've knocked around con-
siderable since we last met. Last hailed
from England, and am on the wing for
Australia"
Then we are not going to have q
touch of your quality, old chum?"
Hardly probable. Being in the city,
and hearing of you, wanted to see you.
and remembering the strange mental
hallucination you were laborfng under,
thought would drop in and see if
time had worked cure"
ut has sobered" with a peculiar
emphasis upon the word), 'but |
yet have mug and a pipe for an
old friend. So down with you-no,
you will not interrupt my study, for
am dead letter perfect tell me
something of your wanderings."
In the cosy room, before cheerful
fire, in the easiest of chairs, Charley
JOurdine reeled off tales of adventure
for time. Then, again, he asked his
friend if he had got over the delusion
of his youthful days.
You mean that | was haunted by a
pair of marvellous eyes? No, and |
never will. am us much under their
influence as ever was"
Aren't freed from the nonsense of
mesmerism, or, is it as now termed by
the medical fraternity, hypnotism?"
Not in the least. In fact, l am a
much firmer believer than in the days
when you fancied you were the great
est Hamlet the world ever saw, and |
believed my Richard had never been
and never would be equalled. What
fools the public were to think as we
did, Charley!"
Yes" with a hearty laugh; ''but
about the haunting eyes, Earle?'
Fill up your glass, light fresh
weed, and get position for listening"
"All right Fire away"
"You remember the first night saw
the eyes, and the effect they had upon
me?"
Thought you saw them, you mean.
Yes; i remember you were nervous,
disconnected, forgot your lines and got
a regular blowing up from the old
man, and everybody faDcied you were
drunk"
''Well, when l stepped upon the
stage | felt as if some strange power
had taken entire control of my actions.
Do what would could not keep from
turning towards q particular private
box 1t was in semi-darkness. the gas
within unlighted, the curtains nearly
drawn together. There saw pair
of the keenest, most luminous eyes
eyes that seemed to emit fiery sparks,
that drew mine with resistless magnet
ism as magnet does steel-eyes that
apparently had the power of burning
through the flesh, and kindling flame
in the heart"
Hold on, Earle. Don't draw it too
strong, my boy"
II am not romancing, buttelling the
simple truth. Well, / fought against
the feeling; thought it some delusion,
for l could see nothing of form. could
not tell whether the eyes belonged to
man, woman, or some feline creature.
My acting that night was a series OF
bluRders. When upon the stage, and
under the influence of the mysterious
spell, and"
"A model of stupidity" was the un-
complimentary interruption.
'How | got through never had an
idea. When the curtain dropped upon
the last scene | rushed around to the
box, and found it vacant. Not satisfied
/ enquired of the ticket-seller, takel
and ushers, and was told by all that
the box had not been occupied" o
''Of course it wasn't. / looked a
dozen times to find out what you were
senselessly staring at
Scarcely knowing what was doing,
] put off the robes of majesty in which
had been strutting my brief hour, and
started for home"
And didn't reach it, I'll be bound. >
mo. After walking more than
double the required distance l came t0
halt, looked around. and saw only
unfamiliar objects. Then ! noticed q
physician with whom ] was acquainted
coming out of house, hailed him, and
inquired where | was. He started as
if surprised, told me that he was in
search of me, and said | was to come
with him instantly, for life depended
upon it. / objected. Then as clearly
| as can see you now the eyes flashed
out from the darkness and pleaded
with power could not resist"
Sure you hadn't been taking OBJ
servations through the bottom or
tumbler, EapleP"
mo, had not" was answered in
dignantly; s'but to cut the story short
as possible (forI see shall have tc
produce realistic evidence before yor
will be conyinced) | was led upstairs
into heayily-curtained room-one un
lighted, save by the most glorious eye:
on earth, and | heard breathed in the
lowest of whispers and voice strange
ly sweet and jubilant with hope:
| "I knew you would comen
Earle Minturn paused, filled a glas:
and slipped the contents slowly, as i
the recollection overpowered him ant
he needed time to recover. Then ht
resumed with his words more strung
to the minor key:
''The eyes were all could see, thu
| voice all could hear. All else wa.
darkness and silence. Involuntarily
groped my way in their direction, anC
my hand was grasped. by another tina
scorched as hot iron.
81 knew you would come was re
L Al