The morning call., 1894-12-30
AN UNEXPECTED DEBUT.

throat. the dainty cap set coqusttishly
upon the dark head.
81 am sorry, Mr.. Hughes" Jack heard
her saying, "but am late and shall have
to hurry with my dressing"
! She had gone. Jack sat down upon a
| box and shook his head to see il BIO were
| really awake.
Anything wrong?" asked Ruthen.
| "Heart disease" answered Jack with a
smile.
| Now" said Ru'hen, as the call bell
| rang. ''let's make for box and see the
| play"
| The house was barely half filled with
| people, and long rows of vacant seats met
! their eyes as they entered the box. Inc
| incandescent lights, shining upon the red
| and-gold hangings Of the big theater, lent
| very desirable air OF comfort and warmth
| to it. Still there was look OF dlseonten
in Ruthen's eyes as he cast quick glance
around the audience.
THAT house won't pay expenses" he
said. as he saw Jacks inquiring look.
How long are you going to run her?"
''Biled for three weeks. worse luck, -"
growied Ruthen
bet you .fver' you have crowded
house tomorrow night" said the critic,
conplacently.
What do you mean?"
Just what I say" answered Jack.
Now. old man. do not interrupt me;
have got 10 begin" And taking out a
notebook Jack commenced to write.
Ruthen entered the thaater next after
noon and found his way Ill icked by line
of people which stretched from the box
office to the street. His coun tenance was
no longer clouded with anxiety, but he
was the picture OF content. and his eyes
beamed through his glasses as though he
were at peace with all mankind. Elk
changing furtiye wink with the ticket
seller he entered the house, where be
found rehearsal in full progress The
actors, who till that day had been notice
ably listless and indifferent. had deyel-
oped an energy as sudden as it was sCr-
prising. Even the brusque stage manager,
yielding 10 the general enthusiasm, had
softened the notes of his harsh voice TO an
astonishing degree Of mildness.
standing room only" stared the public
in the face as they passed by the entrance
Of the Star that evening. Jack stood be-
fore the signbosrd and contemplated it
with no lit lie satisfaction. How strange it
all seemed! Last night he had grudgingly
come to write up new play. He had met
in Rnthen an ola college chum; had found
Harriet Parkhurst to be the original of the
Photograph, and had won success for them
by his glowing description of the play.
He had done himself a good turn, too,
though an indirect one; for the editor of
the Telegram, spurred on by the excel
lence of his article, had seen fit to compi-
ment him upon it and make material
addition to his present salary. Just then
Ruthen caught sight OF him employed In
staring vacantly at the sign. seized him
and bore him off to the coy office.
''Y on have done me gnod turn, Jack"
he said; positively saved me from bank
ruptcy."
"Bosh" said Jack. but he was pleased
all the same. and went up TO portrait OF
Miss Parkhurst as Rosalind to hide his
confusion.
Beautiful woman, Miss Parkhurst,
eh p asked Ruthen, darling quick look
at Jack.
More than Notwithstanding, I
"Just So" said Ruthen.
Two weeks have sped quickly by. and
"ROsalind" is still playing TO crowded
houses. Jack and Ruthen have become
as inseparable as it is possible for two
beings whose time is so occupied to be,
aDd all Jacks spare moments are spent 10
Ruthen's Office, except such few moments
as they spend together round at the pala-
tial Shakespeare. To-day he is writing
at Rutheu's desk. He is alone, and hear
ing the door omen he does not look up.
"Ruthen in 2"
It is stout old gentleman who has ad-
dressed him, one very courteous in man.
ner and neatly dressed.
beg pardon says Jack. Thought
you were he. he has not come in yet.
VIII You not be seated ?"
Thanks, can't wait. Will call later.
Kindly give him nay card"
Jack mods and the gentleman bows very
politely and leaves. The critic chances In
differently at the card-"Sir Charles Mer-
vyn, Chiswick."
A little later Ruthen enters and finds
Jack standing in the center OF the room,
on ma "a m u n oil lie srrF a
ings, whistling tune from ''Erminie."
WHATS happened now. Jack ?"
Jack hands him the card.
''Sir Chawles SEE ez how he'll call later"
he remarked.
The manager gazed at his friend in no
little surprise. For the last few DAYS he
had seemed rather moody and Respondent,
and now he was suddenly changed
BE back in minute. Want to post
some letters" said Jack, picking NJ his
hat.
Truly he took a long time to get to
postoffice. Passing through door over
which as the legend. Stage entrance"
and nodding to the doorkeeper, whose
grim old face slowly relaxed into a smile |
as he saw who it was-for Jack had be-
come a great favorits with all-he asked
for Miss Parkhurst.
''Said she couldn't see no one this after
nom. These mattynays Is very trying"
Jack pressed coin into the willing
hand of the doorkeeper and CROPPED his |
way carefully to the actress door.
"May / come In ?"
THAT depends on who it s." answered |
the person on the other side of the door,
calmly.
tits me-"
who Il meP"
Jack"
Jack who?"
Jack Hughes" said the critic. coolly.
NOW, II my catechism is satisfactorily |
let me revert to the original |
question. May come in p"
The door was opened
Il am penciling my eyebrows; itdown |
and watch me-" said the frank young
maiden.
She returned to the mirror and resumed |
operations on the eyebrows.
won't you please be seated ?" she said. |
sweetly, after Jack bad wandered round |
the room for several minutes,
Where. for instance ?" he asked. glanc- |
ing vainly for an unoccupied char.
There doesn't seem to be vacant article |
of furniture anywhere"