The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-12-23

$50 So. 1850 IS sss - :.
md the mysterious stupor showed no
| signs of lifting And when he crent
| down stairs again it was only to sit
staring vacantly through the hours.
And Christmas was close at hand-dear,
Joyous Christmas!
sits most strange" said the doctor
one day. 1--WE been thinking
mild excitement would be likely to rouse
him?'
ooh, the theater-the play" she an
swered mechanically.
| "Then take him. Here. There's a
matinee advertised for tomorrow at the
Jollity-some new and wonderful drama
to be tried. The very thing!"
Gilbert, never seeming to wonder
where the money came from, assented,
and accordingly that next day, Christ
mas eve, found them both seated In the
Jollity. If this failed
The play commenced, but Marion her.
self had not come to be thrilled. Hold
| ing her husbands hand tightly, she sat
stealthily watching for sign OF dawn
| ing COMPREHENSION In vain. During the
frst and second acts his expression re-
| .aained all but lifeless. Suddenly, how
Sver, Marion almost cried out. His thin
fingers had been quivering. Now, half
| way through the last act. they closed
upon her own crushingly. The lights
were low, but she could see his eyes di-
! lating. Only too thankful that every
one appeared engrossed by the play, she
UhiSperinplv imDlOred az
TRY. try and keep calm dearl It's
nearly over. -
my plot-my playr' he said. You
you have let them steal my brains'
For the moment she was stupefied.
Then. Nonsense, DEAR" she whispered
back lit is safe -
"My very words" he gasped. not
| needing "Let me go. I've been rob-
bed, robbed! I'll shout it all over the
| city,
Then, indeed, she stared and tried to
realize the play. but he was struggling
past There would be scene. So. hold
ing his hand still, she followed him out
| into the corridor. Before she could pre-
vent it he had gripped an attendants
| shoulder.
Your managerial once" he breath
| ed. Your manaSer!' lie repeated, as a
swell of applause drowned the man s
reply.
1.-The manager? In that box over
there What name shall say"
Gilbert Hartley-the author OF this
play"
They followed him round winding
corridors and up to the door of Il box,
Two gentlemen were just emerging
laughingly when the white faced man
and whittier faced woman barred their
way.
'Not yet! I demand" said Gilbert,
pointing, 1.-The identity Of the man who
writes himself the author of that play. !"
why" said one coolly, II happen
to be the author. Anything amiss?'
~"You!" Hartley. looking like one
just risen from the grave, put out two
working hands. Come here! Look me
in the face. | wrote it--almost as it
stands. If my manuscript is gone, you
have stolen it. -
The finale was at hand. The audi-
ence, little dreaming of that side drama,
sat spellbound. Then-then a crazy,
unmistakable cheering rose to the roof.
Author! Author!' went up. The
situation was critical. the manager stu
petied.
The author. " with Marion's wide.
pleading eyes upon him, hesitated.
Then he blurted out:
mo fraud ct all! bought that man
uscript in crude state from a man who
claimed to have produced it. There is
nothing discreditable''- <. $50
His name?
IL cannot give it. He was here
just now Prove that he stole it. and
am willing to divide ALL
The cries for Author" were growing
deafening. when Marion gave that little
scream of realization and said:
He was here-Gilbert. look-Main.
waring! He came for his money that
day! He stole the papers for spite,
thinking you might never know! Deny
that name if you cant she finished
breathlessly, staring into the other
mans eyes -
MADAM, l can't Swallowing a
lump. he aripped Hartley's hand ''Sir.
my reputation is at stake. l must APP
pear with you as joint author. but l
promise you two thirds Of all royalties. :"
The audience was upon it's feet, star
ing about in wonderment when the cur