The evening times., 1895-08-20
| One Cent Va, .ss,i'
No advsrtissmsat less than ios.
p DARK" Dpanatist.

"GentIeman I'd zee ydu, SIR"
"who is it?''
"He won't give no name, sir, but he says
I his business is most pressing and pertiklar.
I told him you was engaged, but he would
take no denial -,
'.Coufound the fellow said Mr. Outlet,
throwing dow n his pen. I'm busy. Ican't
possibly see him. Where have yo,fleft him,
Jane?' --v-.,
I'm the hall, SIR
Il say, YOU ought not to have done that
Ten to Que he's some thieving fellow after
the hats and umbrellas. But you girls from
the county, q - -.-4 -7i4r.--.t
Mr.. Outlet did not complete his sentence
for that minute a tail, ark man walked
calmly into the room, aud after bowling TO
the astonishel owner OF the house with the
blandest aud most self-possessed of smiles,
said suavely:
Pray, sir. TO what am indebted for the
honor of this cail?' dema nded Mr.. Outlet,
giariug at the stra niger through his eye
glasses.
Permit me to explain" said the other,
with a smile aud bow,
Il will trouble you, sir, to be as brief as
possible said Mr.. Outlet, impatiently
My time is valuable, aud ca mot afford
to waste it Now, then, what is it that
You want?''
Il See 1t stated in The Referee, Mr. outlet,
that you are writing tragedy for produc-
tion at the Erectheum May I ask, sir, If
that statement is Correct"
"You may ask" repli, ed Mr.. Outlet. freez-
inSly, but whether give you ans weros
not is another matter. must first request
that You have the goodness TO explain in
what way my literary 81 Seineuts concern
you, sir?''
..They-or rather this particular one-cou-.
cerus me very nearly, as L shall soon show
YOU / wonder now, SIR, whether this
tragedy of. yours is yet completedg'
Upon my word" retorted Mr.. Outlet,
drawing himself up, 81 must really decline
to gratify your curiosity" .-ei
Well, it is of no great moment" said
the other. Let me put it to you in this
way You are writing, ior have written-
il does not matter wlich-a tragedy for
production at the Erectheum. 1t may be
strong ira gedy; II may be a weak one. But,
whatever its quality, / can put into your
hands an original work of my own, COM
yared with which yours, sir, will read as
rap.'
You are too flattering, sir, upon my
word" gasped Mr.. Outlet, astounded, as
well he might be, by the fellows brazen
assurance.
The play of which I speak, continued
he stranger, disregarding Mr.. Outlets
,arrasm and producing a roll of manu-
srript from his pocket, lis this. I wrote it
myself from first to last. And 1 venture
hot 10 10 nf fh..u un,,sf M
rul tragedies that have ever been written
in the English tongue"
..Ah, WELL" be said, "you wish me to
read your play, 1 gather? am very busy
and cannot attend 10, it now, but il you
will leave your manuscript here, together
with your name and address, I shall be
pleased to glance through it at my leisure
and return il to you with my opinion
upon it,
The stranger smiled knowingly and shook
bis head.
No, no." he answered You must ex-
cuse me, Mr.. Outlet, but really know the
time of day, sir. Would you look at 1t il
left IL here Not you 1t has been to six
managers and has been returned by all six
as unsuitable. But not one of them had
read it. That l know very well. For l
gummed the sheets together here and there
as a test, and when the manuscript came
back the gum was still undisturbed."
We'll, look here" calculated Mr.. Outlet,
growing angry again, what the devil do
you want, sir? You don't expect me to
read your confounded play here and now,
do your
NO. l 90 not" was the urbane reply.
Then. what in the pane OF heaven, do
you expect?"
Il expect you TO listen while read the
play aloud TO you,' the stranger returned,
folding his arms and regarding Mr.. Outlet
with the calmest of stares.
The latter's patience was utterly broken
down by the cool impertinence of the de-
mand.
I'VE have had enough of this, SIR"
said Mr.. Outlet, witberingly. II must
wish you good day. There is the door"
The stranger drew himself up to his fun
height, his tall, powerful frame quite
dwarfing the insignificant proportions of
Mr.. Outlet.
Il shall decline to nove, SIR" he said. |
coolly, .'untf you have acceded to my de- |
quest"
This is n nonstrous, outrageous!' gasped |
Mr.. Outlet. I'm my own house! Ill-I'H |
summon the police. III"
None of that, please" said the stranger,
quickly interposing hinself. as the other |
II ade a movement toward the bell rope.
Don't provoke ne. I'm dangerous when
aroused. In this matter 1 intend to have my
way Cone. Mr.. Outlet, be reasonable.
| offer you a compromise. Listen while
read the first act, tit is very short), and il
1t the end you really wish 10 hear no more,
N take up my papers and leave the house
y witbout another word"
Glaring at the bold Intruder with seath-
ng glances of impotent wrath, Mr.. Outlet
ank back in bis armchair.
He could have surmoned assistance by
houting out, but he was deferred from this
,y two OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, that tho
stranger looked every inch the m an to resort
o personal violence; second, that it would
lave nade himself appear in rather rfdio-
Ilouslight. No: the safer as well as themore |
lignified course was to remain quiet for
he present, aud to give him In charge the 4
r omeht he left the house. On that course
dr. Outlet most firmly resolved.
The stranger uuf0ided his roll of n anu.