Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-05-14
A TRUE TALE.

agent. He had lived at different times in
New York, Boston, City of Mexico, Paris,
Dublin, and Liverpool, but had gravitated
like most geniuses and many lesser lights
to the great center of the eworld-London.
He was tall, rather thin, dark mustached
and haired, wore always q dark brown
velvet coat and light gray trousers, and
had chronic cough. Hehad the reputa-
ton of being sharp, but then sharpness is
needed in almost all professions, perhaps
most of all in that of theatrical agent.
For he has not only to live on his own
wits, but also on the wits of others. And
this Mr.. WiIloughby was quite an adept
in doing.
He had been eight months in London,
and to judge from the furniture and ap-
pointments of his Office was already doing
well. He was very exclusive and made
it very difficult for people TO gain access
to him. Up four flights of stairs was his
Office, and when you got there you found
smiling clerk. to pass whom was well
nigh impossible. When you did succeed
in passing him the agents cousin, Mr..
Digby Arnold, had to be coaxed and bul
lied before you could pass from his little
corner cupboard of den into the photo
graph hung, flower scented inner sanctum
of the agent himself. The visitors prog
ress was good deal like that in the old
fairy tales. where lion lay at one turn
In the path, and a dragon at another, and
an ogre at the third, and SO on, and your
chances of passing the latter depended
always on your giving the right word and
correct salute TO the first.
Still, there were plenty of people, and
not all of the feminine gender either, who
were willing to climb the stairs and wait
at the outer doors In order to gain en-
trance at last to the holy of holies inside
the presence of Mr.. Willoughby Arnold
Finally there came one day young
lady, very neatly, tastefully dressed, and
with every pretension to breeding, to the
outer Office and besieged the desk. Her
business was politely requested of her.
She named it. Engagement, she hoped.
The smiling clerk, not whit embar-
rassed by beauty, breeding, and fashion,
refused the suggestion. Mr.. Arnolds va
cancies were absolutely full. He had no
room for any one. Could not entertain
any more applicants.
The young lady named mutual friend.
Miss Lawrence Max. No use; the smil-
ing clerk distinctly though politely re-
fused her admittance. Fortunately for
her, Mr.. Digby Arnold, passing throu h,
saw her and was attracted.
II think perhaps, Austin, my cousin,
Che sometimes forgot whether he was a
cousin or brother, little careless, this
Digby) might find time to see this young
lady"
Miss Lamont was highly grateful. She
had given her name as Helen Lamont.
Austin opened little wicket and Miss
Lamont entered Office number one. In
few moments she had completely subju-
gated Digby and was costly seated in Of
fee number two. From where she sat
she could hear Willoughby cough.
Some one with very bad cold. she
prettily hazarded.
My brother Willoughby, responded
Digby. II am sure can get him to see
you. Any friend of Miss Lawrence Max
would be at any time perfectly welcome,
only-town is so crowded just now, and
the stage so thoughtlessly besieged. You
can have no idea how my poor brother is
haunted. Really, only for this arrange
ment of offices he would not be able to
attend to business at all. Will you wait
O moment?"
Certainly, said Miss Lamont.
She was q very pretty girl, 80 demure
and neat and womanly. Charming for
ingenue characters and well, even richly
attired.
A good premium, > whispered Digby
in the next room to Mr.. Willoughby,
seated at long table strewn with letters,
books, tri1es Of art and beauty. flowers,
and photographs.
He held white silk handkerchief to
his face, and wore the famous brown
velvet coat.
ASK IL, anyway said Digby. Il
don't know anything about her ability,
but that doesn't matter. Shall / show
her in2s
Willoughby assented and, when Miss
Lamont entered In her pretty, modest,
beseeching way, dressed in soft gray with
Immaculate boots and gloves, gleam Of
jewelry and wave Of perfume, and a
knot Of violets at her throat, he motioned
bpr TO luxurious arm chair.
He still held his handkerchief to his
face as he said, between coughs
Excuse me. am avery great sufferer
from q combination Of complaints You
are looking for an engagement On the
stage37
Hiss Lamont assented.
Il ann left pennies. had talent
that way. At least, trust 90. In anna
teur evenings
"A very different thing, assure ron.
However, your looks win assist you.
Pennilessf can hardly believe that.
~Well--a small annuity yes, have