Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-08-11

VelOpmentS. Long before the emu N"l
reached. Mr.. Outlet (who was far from
predisposed in the strangers favor saw
that the piece would be a fortune TO any
manager. and inwardly confessed thai
his own just completed tragedy, Oh
which hitherto he had rather valued
himself. would be literally eXtinguished
by the blaze of so powerful produc-
ton.
But the wonderful strength and ter
rible pathOs of the denoument soon OBJ
liberated from the mind everything in
the shape Of sordid calculations, and
left him only conscious of an over
whelming sense of tragical emotion.
There said the stranger, laying
down his papers and regarding Mr..
Outlets expressive face with look OF
placid triumph. What did you say?
Does the piece justify the strong meas
ures l have taken to force it on your
notice, or does it not? Speak, SIR
Tits a masterpiece gasped Mr..
Outlet. "A work of genius. A splen-
did tragedy. There is no man living,
and very few dead, who could have
written il.
Il believe you" was the quiet reply.
1T stands alone know it. And now
I give you your reward for having
heard me to the end. Take this trag-
edy, write your name upon il and pro-
duce it at the Erectheum for your own
"Er-er-I don't understand you,
Mr.. Outlet calculated, supposing that
his ears had deceived him.
My words are plain" replied the
stranger. my meaning equally so.
make you a present of the piece-out
and Out-with no reserve, except that
you offer it 10 Billhurst, of the Erect
heum, in lieu of the one which you are
now writing.
''Impossible" cried Mr.. Outlet.
Common honesty forbids me to appro-
pirate your work like that. Why, man
alive, do you not realize that this trag-
edy is worth money to you? 1t means
name and fortune"
BAH" laughed the other, scornfully.
What do l want with either? 1 have
long enjoyed too much of both. All
desire is to have my tragedy produced;
in whose name or to whose profit care
not a straw
But, really" objected Mr. Outlet,
p
"Pish-my friend, none of these butts.
With my eyes and in good faith l make
you an offer which, while it suits me, is
highly advantageous to yourself. If you
are TOO proud 10 accept-well, there may
be others less squeamish. But you have
your chance"
Pride is not concerned in the mat
ter" replied Mr. Outlet. But how can
l bring myself to put my name to an
other mans work? II would be a spe-
cies of literary forgery
Nothing Of the sort" was the ener-
getic reply. THE play is my own in
every sense. have an incontestable
right to make it over to you. Will you
take it or will you not?'
Upon my word" was the hesitating
rejoinder, "I-I-that is-in point OF
fact"
4 can't wait" interposed the stran-
ger briskly. I must have yes or no
at once. If the former, well and good;
ii the latter, take it elsewhere imedi-
ately. Which is t TO be?"
well. really, If you are bent on CIV
ing it away" answered Mr. Outlet, Il
suppose I may as well profit by it as
any one else
Yes, considerably better, from your
standpoint. Very good! Then you ac-
cept the piece on the conditions
named?"
Il do" replied Mr.. Outlet. after
some reflection. He was not prepared
to reject this extraordinary offer then
and there. but he reserved mentally to
himself the right of cancelling his YER
bal acceptance by letter if he deemed IT
wiser on mature consideration.
That is right" answered the other
taking up his hat and rising to go. i
will not detain you longer now. Prob
ably | shall call on you again shortly.
stay cried Mr.. outlet. You will
leave me your name and address, in sase
l wish to communicate with you?"
The stranger shook his head.
No" he said, with an inscrutable
lock. I'm afraid I can't. I have par
ticular reasons for secrecy, which l can
not now explain, You shall learn more
about me by and by. For the present,
prefer to keep my identity concealed.
He rose, bowed to Mr. Outlet and
hurriedly left he room. Before the lat
ter had half recovered from his surprise
the street door banged behind his mys-
terious visitor.
Mr.. Outlet read the tragedy through
again TO himself, and was more than
ever struck by its wonderful power and
force. 1t was some time before he could
make up his mind what to do about it.
But at last he submitted the play to
Bil.hurst. manager Of the Erectheum,
telling him the extraordinary and pecu-
liar circumstances under which he had
become possessed Of it.
Bilhust read the play and at once
pronounced it trump card.
Il tell you. Outlet" he said, with en-
thusiasm, there's a mint Of money IN
that piece. It's as certain to draw as
ANYTHING I ever read. Only don't like
this very rummy way in which it has
come to us. Supposing it should have
been stolen, eh?"
nat - HdIuly ~ optOiS' - ~ n
was the rejoinder, and if you think OF
taking the piece in hand you might feel
your way ahead little by putting few
preparatory notices in the newspapers. NJ
How would that safeguard u.s." ask
ed the manager.
Why, in the event of the play having
been cribbed or unfairly come by the
notice might catch the eve of some per-
son interested, who would, of course
communicate with you"
True" said Mr.. Billhurst, thought
fully. L will give the matter my con-
sideration.
The manager was very much worried
just then about his account, which
showed an ugly deficit The last ven