The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-18
on CHRISTMAS EVE

~
night, Marion Hartley wife of the un-
rl,cesslul author-playwrlght, was tor
,,rIng her wits afresh for a way to Sc
c,stlv induce some theatrical manager
4, recognize her husbands genius He's
dush faded as she heard admitted a
wan with a slow voice and a deliberate
.t,p. Both were unpieasantly familiar.
GOOD evening" he said. bowling stu-
d.ously. Tall, broad and perfectly
dr-sscd, he possessed a face only spoil
ed be- It's expression. rs he accessible?
All. YES, see his light In there, Afraid
must disturb his inspiration, then"
Indeed? He is very busy" she sim
ply said.
"ol course" He sat down, "Er-may
asR how the great play progresses?"
No answer. 1t had come back that
morning for the fourth tlme-declined.
she pretended 10 sew until the position
crew unbearabie, and then rose and
Iauped at the door OF that inner room
in Whlch her husband spent more hours
tban she liked to total, No reply,
Gilbert, dear, don't start" was whls-
ueged fearfully. He is here again-that
Mr. Malnwaring. What shall
Why he was not scriobling away
feyerlshlE. His head had fallen for
ward-asleep2 When she touched him,
ne slowly reused 10 stare past her with
eyes so dilated thar she almost shrank.
Colbert, don't!" She was unconscl-
ously on her knees now. "Oh, give 1t up,
mrs killing you! IN work, husband"
"Eh? There! was dreaming-my
MOT was just coming 10 me, and you
you disturb me sol" he said, putting
her arms away. III lose grip OF II this
time, it-it-may mean madness! Mar
iep. Il vas sublime, Only go awag-
doH
lie found his pen and started, Awed,
apprehenslVe, too, she hung there as
though hesltating whether to obey or
snatch his precious manuscript away,
Finally she stole out, and stood guard
nt his door.
MY husband cannot see you to-
"oh, very good. madaml Half the
house was furnished with the flO0 lie
coolly borrowed through me-before
knew, OF course. sympathy means for
bearance. AS you don't want it, iii sell
him up now!"
You you will mott" She ran and
eaugh, his arm. ~ did not know 1t,
simply say-lf you but knew how he has
shaved and tried! Let me tell you some
thing. Wait-and his play will be ac-
cepted. Yes! Tonight he has found his
plot-.the great idea he has missed for
months There!"
Found his plot?" He stared ihesedu-
lousy. appearing TO weigh the chances,
"Dahl That was to have thrilled crea-
ton long ago, will call once again
next week, and then" He went out
without finishing 1t.
in a sort OF stupor Marion sat down
md waited-waited hour after hour.
Then at last Gilbert came CROPPING out,
one hand pressed to his head. his face
haGgard. but ecstatic. Not even her
white and hopeless face struck his at
tyntion.
Done IL" he gasped. 'I was coming
te wake YOU. They-they say that
every man IL capable OF one stroke Of
genius. Listen to this--but the room
setms-why, Marion. III"
The manuscript fell. She realized
something and sprlng forward. He
had swayed and then toppled down.
Twelve hours later found him In the
heat OF unmistakable delirlum. And
the play. 1t was lying neglected upon
mis- study desk. Weeks would pass, the
bluff old doctor said. before his sanity
could return. 1t meant that the home
must vanish, bit by bit-but what Of
that: Night and DAY she lowered over
him. He had tried and failed. Only 10
save his reason! Then she would try.
herself
In the first excitement she quite for
got Mniawlring, and his last yelled
threat, until, precisely seven days after
his previous visit. the girl informed her
that that gentleman and n "frlrnd'
were waiting In the sitting room. Both
frightened and desperate. she went
down as far as the doorway.
He is H." she said, her face study
in duplication. He knows nothing
perhaps never will again
"Therew AIainwarlnes teeth snap
ncp. what did I say? \ planned az
fair, My friend here wants his money
or some equivalent There Is the
agreement. stay until ! see your hus-
band"
Marion managed to get "Then YOU
must stay" past the lump in her throat.
Then she ran back and locked the bed
room door.
They've gone. ma'am' came through
the keyhole at last They mumbled
away for n time, aad then they were
suddenly quiet. think they were
frightened. They almost crept out.
Marion sitting back from Gilberts
Wild stare. found temporary relief IN
stream Of tears.
The FIRST CLEAN OF sunshine came a.
the end Of three awful weeks. Hartley
physically safe, could cross his bed
room Only It terrified her to realize
that he was but living nutom1ton
Six weeks, and the mysterious stupe"
showed no signs Of lifting. And when
he cgept downstairs again. II was only
to sit staring vacantlg through the
hours And Christmas was close at
hand-dcar. Joyous Christmas!
IT'S most strange" said the doctor.
one day. 1--WE been thinking
mild excitement would be likely to rouse
him."
"oh, the theatre-thc play" she an
swercd, mechanically.
Then tnke him Here. There's a
matinee advertised for tomorrow at the
Jol!ty-Bome new and wonderful drama
10 br tried. The very thlng'"
Gilbert, never seeming 10 wonder
where the money came from, aBsented.
and accordingly that next day Christ
mas eve, found them both seated IN the
Jo.iity n this failed
The play commenced, but Marion her
stlI had not come TO be thrilled Hold
Ing hor husbands hand tightly she sat
'tlalthlly watching for sign Of dawn
ms comprehension. In vain. During
th" hr7t and second acts his expression
remained all but iifeess. Suddenly
however, Marion almost cried 0Ut. His