Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-11-27

nOtlOulobb ucdu Oh INC plllOWs u
strange emotion thrilled him, for
there was a "Reminiscences OF another
face in Docks which baffled his re-
membrance TO grasp ii quite complete
ly. And yet that remembrance was
very strong. although he could not re-
member ever having noticed IL before
tonight
What could IL bep
He went home to tho Albany, oddly
haunted by II.
The following morning he passed
the Eleusis Theater. and stopped to
look at life-sized portrait of great
actress exhibited outside. 1t repre-
sented her in the tragic part she was
then playing. and its set look of pale
despair was thrillingly like the beau
tiful woman it represented.
Esley knew her we'll Once he had
had passing passion for her, which
had subsidized into steady friendship
on her marriage-a change of feeling
In accordance with his character.
Like Rachel, she was known on the
stage only by one name. 1t was her
second baptismal name, Joyce. and she
was spoken of by it alone, like the
great French woman.
Now, looking at the portrait, Esley
was suddenly seized by strange
fancy. The artist had suppressed the
lines that gave character to the living
woman's face, and the portrait showed
| n hnottfu fhar rna1lu
hers.
Turning round, he suddenly faced
the actress herself coming into the
theater.
Looking at my portraitP" she said,
the sad look of her face lighting up
with charming smile. at is a long
time since you have been to see the
original. When are you coming againP
My husband told me he met you at the
club the other night, and that you were
looking ILL.,"
He regarded her with singular
intentness before he replied: ~ will
come when you have no other visitors.
l want to see you particularly about
something"
She knitted her brows prettily to
remember her engagements. "Will
Tuesday dop At four o'clock Or
any time here during the third act,
when / am not on the stage, you know.
am late for rehearsal, must go
now"
They parted.
On Sunday morning, Esley arriving
at the - hospital, encountered Il
shabby figure on the doorstep, and,
finding himself addressed in a husky
voice, with q strong cockney accent to
boot, looked at the features of the
speaker. 1t was Turtle, with the most
woe-begone expression on his prema-
turely sharpened face. His lips
quiverod ominously.
'Was you goin' to see Dock, sirP"
he asked, jerking his thumb toward
the windows above them, but avoid
ing the Colonel's eye.
''Yes, my lad, have you seen himp"
replied Esley kindly.
Turtle wrestled manfully with rising
sobs before he answered savagely:
mo i amt! l arxed to jis' now, and
was told as couldn't see i'm. i 'spose
they thort i 'adn't no business to want
to see pal" he added, looking down
at the extremely shabby, much-mended
neither garments which were replaced
weekdays by his newspaper" uni
form. The deficiencies of his private
wardrobe were now painfully apparent.
"rll take you in with me-" said
Esley smiling You're Docks great
chum, aren't youp I've seen you to-
gether ""
Turtle nodded sullenly, still smart
ing with wounded pride.
The door was opened by smart
maid, who instantly admitted the
Colonel. and unwillingly tolerated his
disreputable appendage with covert
looks of scorn, which Turtle repaid by
glazing defiance behind the Colonel's
back.
On being shown into the private
room where Dock now lay, Esley spoke
aside to the nurse, who shook her head
mournfully.
Turtle sprang toward the bed, re-
CARELESS Of the strangers present, and
said hoarsely: "Dook. sayl Little
'un!"
The dark brown eyes were suddenly
lit up by a struggling light of loving
recognition and the pale lips moved
slightly, although they gave no sound.
Don't yer know me, Dookp It's
yer old PAL" and catching Docks thin
hand as it lay loose on the blue cover
lit in the strong grasp Of his coarse
red hand, Turtle hurriedly added in a
whisper: 1--WE got some marbles for
yer in one Of my pawkits, and
shillin'r'
Diving into the innermost recesses
Of HE, capacious trouser pockets Turtle
with difficulty brought to the surface
the above mentioned valuables and
laid them on the bed.
The sister came forward as Dock
myrmured some inaudable words.
"Wot's he a-sayin'p can't ear"
said Turtle, looking jealousy at her
across the bed.
Hes only rambling; he doesn't
know you," said the sister kindly, lay
ing her hand softly on the little suf-
ferers hot head, from which all the
brown curls. had been cut away.
Doesn't know hep" exclaimed Tur-
tie In tone of angry surprise and
pain. mot know S3e, as-why, If he
don't know me-Dook, little pal, it's
Turtle. Don't you know meP" he
added in a tone Of entreating anguish,
that went to the hearts of both his
hearers, He fought with himself for
moment manfully, his ugly face con-
vulsed with tho effort, then flinging
himselfi on his knees beside the bed
with one arm across his friend, he
burst,into an agony of tears and sobs.