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

damned. Everything depends on that
part, and Stand:sh's understudy will
never carry it through on the first
night"
"K's a bad business" admitted Quill
let, ruefully.
please, sir" said one of the call
boys, thrust:ng his head in at the door,
heres a gent to see you
Damn the gent" cried the manager,
I'm busy; Pm
But the call boy had withdrawn, and
Mr.. Billhurst found himself levell.ng
those remarks at tall, dark complex
toned stranger, who stood bowling and
smiling in the doorway.
Mr.. Outlet gave a start and plucked
his friend by the sleeve.
IT'S the mysterious author OF the
piece" he whispered.
Good morning, Mr.. OUTLET" said the
stranger. Good morning. Mr. Bill
hurst This is unfortunate news about
poor Standish."
You have heard it, them" said the
manager, cycling him with shrewd, In
teresting glance.
Yes. and l came on here at once.
What do'you propose to do, may i
ask"
"God knows. I'm sure the understu-
dy will make hash of =" groaned the
manager.
Most probably. Now I'm going to
make a startling proposition to you.
Inrust me with the part.
'You?" calculated the manager. DO
you know anything about acting"
"a great deal But try me and see
said the other confidently. Come, l
will rehearse that scene in the third acS
for your benefit now"
The manager said nothing, but he
and Mr.. Outlet exchanged glances.
Taking their silence for consent this
extraordinary man started his self sug-
gested rehearsal. In five minutes the
managers rueful face was elated,
flushed eager with new hope.
by heavenr he exclaimed, excited
". repeat that on the stage, Mr..
What s-your- and we'll make the
piece a magnificent success yet.
They did. The first nights audience re-
ceived the new tragedy with enthusiast
tic fervor They called the performers
and particularly the new actor-before
the curtain again and again. He was
certinly splendid. The wonderful rea-
alism with which he played Mephls-
topheles was, said the next days news
paper, as convincing a performance OF
its kind as had ever been seen upon the
London stage. Billhurst was in great
spirits. He believed that he had hit
upon political Ell Dorado. When he
quilted the theatre that night he felt
most amiably disposed toward himself
and all mankind
But at the stage door he saw a sight
which staggered him. A four wheeled
cab was waiting outside, and being
forced into this cab by three burly look
ign men, against whom he was strug-
Cling like a tiger, was the mysterious
stranger. A gentleman stood by, APP
parently experimenting these opera
tons When he saw the manager he
came forward and raised his hat
MIR. B:llhurst?'
THE same What the deuce does
this mean?" cried the manager
Il am Dr. X, of the Y. Asylum eX-
planned the other. You have taken
most dangerous recruit into your COM
pany, Mr.. Billhurst. He is one OF our
worst cases"
Good heavens" CALCULATED the man
ager. You don't mean to say that the
mans mad?"
"Hopelessly SO; and very cunning
and dangerous. This IS the third time
he has escaped in six weeks. From in
formation we received we have little
doubt that it was he who half murder
ed poor Mr.. Standish."
"He?" cried the manager, his eyes
wide open with establishment IL
saw that he was peculiar, but it never
occurred to me that he was insane
mo, because his particular delusion
happened to fall in with your theatrical
requirements, and so passed naturally
enough for a mere stage assumption.
He believes that he is the devil. and"
added the Doctor, w!ping his forehead
and glancing toward the cab, from
which the subject of his remarks was
regarding him with a truly diabolical
stare Il am half disposed to think THAI
he must be."-London Truth.