Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-08-11
A DARK DRAMATIST.
Gentleman to see you, sir
ssy1rh0 Is i+9"

W no Is IL.
HE won't give no name, sir, but he
saws his business is most pressin', ana
pertiklar. told him you was engaged
but he would take no denial.
"Confound the fellow" said Mr.
Outlet. throwing down his@pen. 1 m
busy. : can't possibly see him. Where
have you left him, Jane?"
In the hall sir
Il say. you ought not to have done
that. Ten 10 one he's some thieying tei-
low after the hats and umbrellas. But
YOU girls from the country
Mr.. Outlet did not complete his SEN
tence. for that minute a tall. dark man
walked calmly into the room. and after
bowling to the astonished owner OF the
house with the blandest and most SELF
possessed Of smiles.
Pray. sir. 10 what am I indebted Tor
the honor OF this call?' demanded Mr..
Outlet. glaring at the stranger through
his eyeglasses.
Permit me TO explain, sald the oIh-
er. with a smile and a bow.
Il will trouble you, sir. to be as brlef
as possible said Mr. Outlet, lmpa-
.iently. My time is valuable, and l
canot afford TO waste it. Now, then,
what is il that YOU want?'
Il see it stated in the Referee, Mr..
Outlet. that YOU are writing a tragedy
for production at the Erectheum. May
/ ask. sir. ii that statement is correct?
You may ask" replied Mr.. Outlet,
freeziEgly, but whether | give you an
answer or not is another matter. l
must first request that you have the
goodness to explain in what way my
literary engagements concern you, sir!
''They-or rather Chis particular one
concerns me very nearly, as | shall
soon show YOU I wonder now, sir,
whether this tragedy of yours is COM
ple,ed?"
Upon my word" retOrted Mr.. Outlet,
drawing himself up. Il must really de-
cline 10 crafty your curiOsOty."
"Weu. it = Of no great moment" said
the other Let me put il TO you in this
way. You are writing, or have written
lit does not matter which-a tragedy
for production al the Erectheum. at
may be a strong tragedy; It may be a
weak one But whatever its quality,
can put into your hands an original
work Of my own. compared with which
ycus. sir, Will read as pap!
You are too flattering, sir, upon my
word, gasped Mr. Outlet, astounded,
rs well he might be, by the fellows
brazen assurance.
The play of which I speak" con-
yinued the stranger, disregarding Mr..
Outlets sarcasm and producing a roll
OF manuscript from his pocket, lis this.
wrote il myself from first to last. And
venture to assert that it Is one Of the
most powerful tragedies that have ever
been written in the English tongue
All, we'll. hesaid, you wish me to
read your play, l gather? l am very
busy and cannot attend it now, but il
YOU will leave your manuscript here, to-
gether with your name and address, I
shall be pleased to glance through it
at my leasure and return it TO you with
my opinion upon il"
The stranger smiled knowingly and
shook his head.
no, no." he answered. you must
excuse me, Mr.. Outlet but really l
know the time Of day, sir. Would you
look at it if l left it here? Not you.
IL has been to six managers, and has
been returned by all six as unsuitable.
But not one of them had read it, That
Z know very we'll. For l gummed the
sheets together here and there as test,
and when the manuscript came back
the gum was still undisturbed'
well, 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 yOu?"
No. I do not was the urbane reply.
Then what in the name of heaven
do you eXpec?'
Il expect you to listen while I read
the play aloud to you," the stranger re-
turned, 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 demand.
I'VE have had enough of this, sir, 50
said Mr. outlet, witheringly. Il must
wish you good day. There is the door. -
The stranger drew himself up to his
full height. his tall, powerful frame
quite dwarfing the Insignificant pro-
portions of Mr. outlet.
Il shall decline to move. sir he said.
cody, until you have acceded to my
request"
This is outrageous
easped Mr. outlet. In my own house!
Tu-Tu summon the police. I'll"
None Of that, please said the
stranger. quickly interposing himself,
as the other made quick movement
| toward the bell rope. Don't provoke
me- I'm dangerous when aroused. In
this matter / intend to have my way.
Come Mr.. Outlet. be reasonable.
offer you a compromise. Listen, while
/ read the first act it is very Short,
and if at the end YOU really wish to
hear no more. III take up my papers
and leave the house without another
word
Glaring at the bold intruder with
scathing glauces Of impOtent wrath,
Mr.. Outlet sank back in his armchair.
He would have summoned assistance
by shouting out, but he was deferred
from this by two considerations-first,
that the stranger looked every inch the
man to resort 10 personal violence;
second. that it would have made himself
appear in a rather ridiculous light. No;
the safer as we'll as the more dignified
course was to remain quiet for the pres
ent. and to give him in charge the mo-
ment he left the house On that course
Mr.. Outlet most firmly resolved.
The stranger unfolded his roll of
manuscript, and began to read, taking
no notice at all at the others sulky
scowI. The fellows voice was musical
and expressive enough. Mr.. outlet
was forced TO admit 10 himself. And
the tragedy-well, there was something
g., 3. osrer an Al he end of five min