Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-07-22

moment Then she suddenly bright
ened up.
Papa" she exclaimed, there is
man in the company who knows that
part perfectly"
"Whoa" asked the manager.
"Mr. Gunny"
Good heavensl Virginia, he is
crazy"
Eyes, to play Othello."
'How do you know thata"
HE told me So"
"Orpheus, call Gunny."
In a few moments Gunny ap-
peared.
"Gunny," said Mr.. Francis, "do
you know Othello"
Il am a letter perfect, sir, in the
whole play; do you want me to
prompts"
mo; l want you to play Othello." "
Phineas staggered back against the
doorframe.
Are you illa Are you afraid to
tryl"
Afraid For fourteen long years
l have hungered and thirsted for
chance to play that part, and now it
has come. Sir, you are my benefac-
tor"
Don't thank mo, my daughter in
sisted upon it.
Poor Phineas was overcome. He
gasped two or three times, and thon
spoke;
"Mademoiselle, / cannot tell you
of my gratitude; l viii show it in
my acting"
well, said Francis, go and dress
while ! go and make an apology to
the audience. J."
Phineas smiled Systematically Us he
walked away. Mr.. Francis went be-
fore the curtain after the overture
and said:
Ladies' and Gentlemen-Itis is with
great regret that announce the sud
den illness of Mr.. Montrose. His
part will be taken at half an hours
notice by Mr.. Gunny, for whom ] be-
speak the kind consideration of the
audience.
Mr.. Francis retired amid distinct
murmurs of disapproval.
The curtain arose. Roderigo, Bra
bantio and Iago went through ith
their scene. Then Iago and Othello
made their appearance. A murmur
of surprise and approval ran through
the house. Phineas had thrown his
whole soul into his makeup. He
looked the part to perfection Bat
the actors standing in the wings were
smiling in anticipation of the coming
fiasco. Phineas played his opening
scenes in much the same manner as
he had previously played Ludovico.
Francis breathed more easily.
"Gunny will be a mighty weak
Othello," thought he, but l don't
believe they'll guy HIM"
Matters went on smoothly until
Phineas came to the speech to his
narrative to the duke. Up to that
time he had felt as one in a dream.
The old, familiar words suddenly
awakened him to sense of his situa-
ton
Her father loved me; oft invited me.
That line awoke the slulnbering
fires in Phineas Gunnys soul. He
saw Virginia Francis standing in the
entrance, watching him. He remem-
bered Forrest. He began to act. He
finished the speech amid a spon-
taneous burst Of applause.
From that moment he played
Othello as he had never played the
part even before his old looking glass.
At the end of the third act he and
Virginia were enthusiastically called
before the curtain Francis stood
astounded in the prompt entrance.
His daughter ran to him and threw
her arms about his neck.
papa !" she cried Il have never
played Deslemona as | am playing
her tonight; / never had such an
Othello!"
The enthusiasm of the house in
creased. Phinoas was improving in
every act. I Ie murder scene was
electric, the curtain fell, and again
Phineas led the glowing Virginia to
the footlights.
When they had left the stage she
looked at him with delight and won
der in her eyes
"Oh, you're an argel" she ex-
claimed. You are simply great"
Phiueas sank down into a chair
and burst into Il flood of tears.
"At last" no sobhel; latter four
teen years. Mademoiselle, you are
the ideal Desdemona."
Arising, he offered her his hand,
and begged permission to lead her to
the dressing room. She assented. |
At the door he paused and said;
Miss Francis, Ihave had only one
passion, and that was to play Othello.
l love the part better from having
played it with you. | should like to
play it with you all the rest of my
life"
"And | could play Desdemona,"
she answered, with you as Othello. |
all the rest of my life"
Then let us do so, he said, IT
love you. Marry me and well pay
the piece around the world"
"You love me"
Ever since first saw you, O hello
has been only a secondary passion.
Could you learn 10 love meq"
mo"