The Washington times., 1895-01-20

feeble. 'NoU have certainly succeeded In
startling me-. Now l should like your own
card, so that may know whom TO congratu-
late on very clever performance
And what did the mystery dog" inquired
with interest when the actor paused
lie did exactly what I should have done IL
a stranger addressed me in the same manner
He became angry and asked me what l
meant and who called myself
well. until to-day l have been in the habit
OF calling myself Gilbert Dane. of the Howard
Theater. - | was beginning, keeping as
cool as could. when my double INTERRUPTED
me in tone which / still recognized per-
fectly as my own.
-''Well. you had better not do so any more,
he said sharply, 'or you will find yourself in
the hands OF the police l see that you have
been initiating my dress, too, which cannot
help. but the use of my name is another
thing
We had just reached yauxhalI, our first
stopping place, IS he spoke. and a ticket
collector, who knows me by sight, came to
the door. My double caught his eye first. :"
-" 1 wish you would tell this gentleman
who am, ne said, and the man answered
promptly.
Z" Certainly. sir; you are Mr.. Dane, the
actor
HE looked startled when 1 asked him the
same question.
= Il should call you a very good imita-
ton he said. when he had recovered from
his surprise
This was becoming decidedly uncomfort-
able, and / began to wonder how / could
prove to anybody that was not a very good
imitation OF myself. The ticket collectors
ready acceptance OF my double as tho real Mr.
Dane showed ne how helpless should be in
an appeal to any one who did not know me
we'll. But felt that it would not do for two
Gilbert Danes TO remain at large; the question
which one was to surrender the title must be
settled at once. 1t struck me that the easiest
way to do it would be to so together 20 the
theater and submit the question TO the CON-
pany assembled for the rehearsal. 1 sug-
gested this course to my facsimile, and he
surprised me by accepting ii readily.
"Iou may not believe it, but l felt really
uneasy as 1 approached the stage door. and
the fact that had no laehkey to open it for
myself seemed calamity. My double calmly
produced his and marched me into my own
theater with the air OF proprietor. Then he
closed the door behind him and changing his
voice and manner, suddenly turned toward
me and said quietly: And now, Mr.. Dane,
will puzzle you no moro, but apologize for
my giving you so much trouble, which hope
you will think repaid by the enjoyment of q
unique sensation. The fact is that 1 am very
anxious to go on the stage under your aus
pices. and I thought that this would be the
best way to obtain an Introduction TO you
and, at the same time, show you a specimen
of my acting in the part of your understudy.
You will admit at least that l understand the
art of making up. Now, are you going to
give me an engagement-or send for the
polce?'
And you gave him the engagement, sup
pose?" 1 asked.
Yes; l have always regretted that he threw
it up before the year was over and returned
to his former profession, that of a medical
man."
1T was he, of course, that called for the
latchkey in the morning?"
Yes; he had been in the shop when I
ordered 1t. and the feet finally determined
him TO carry out the affair, which he had
been ponderiLg some time"
''Bpt he must have haunted you like a
shadow beforehand, put in Major bennett,
"to learn all your gestures and that. L
should hardly think the result was worth the
troubie.
Macpherson, who had beer quietly sitting
in the background, surprised US by replying
for lis friend.
Excuse me. major he said, in his usual
quiet way, you make mistake there. Any
man would have been glad to give hundred
pounds down for the engagement which
Dane offered me straight away. It cost me
less than ten pounds for clothes and about a
month of study; and my time was not worth
ninety pounds month then. or 1 should not
have thought of giving up medicine and TAX
ing 10 the stage. Pail Mall Budget.