St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-23


~ his own business. "It'sa rare chance
for you. OF course, you happened to
have just the cut and STYLE Wentworth
not to be had. Queer That's bit Of
pique, I'll wager-he rather annoyed
me some time ago and had to remind
him that he was only number two. And
SO you've come for the things? There
they are, in that trunk, just as they
were packed after the Midland tour
Take it as 1t stands. By Jove! Ireckon,
then, he went on absently, "Blake is
a good deal put out? Has he posted an
intimation?"
"No, Mr.. Caffyn," I said, quickly,
walking up close. "He has not, because
I've taken the liberty of telling him
there was no need--that can take both
parts. F." 1t was out, and curious enough
it sounded, but I gave him no time to
gasp, and ran on with tense GOODNESS
that must have startled him. "I'm not
playing the fool, Mr.. Caffyn; I shall
not disgrace your reputation For years
Blake has refused me an opening, as
you know, and today have as good as
challenged him to this. The notion
came into my head, and can do tiff
you'll let me. This one night No one
knows of your note, and"-
"No one knowsl' he put in breath
lessly, catching my arm. "Why, it's
the"- There he stopped. If I had
made some dreadful proposal, he could
hardly have turned whittier. "No, IL
couldn't think of it," he said, and sat
down. For minute or so / stood there
staring at him, and then he turned
round "All right, have your within,
man." he whispered. "Let the house
find it out for themselves. Go on | Hold
hard, Strangr'
had just snatched up the trunk,
with hoarse "Thanks for that, sirl"
and was opening the door, when he
sprang up and blurted out. He had
hand to his forehead.
"No, I've just recollected-I shall
want that mail shirt and helmet and
the rest for the fancy dress ball at the
club tonight" That was it. We stood
looking at each other; l could hardly
play the part without them-especiall
in that last famous duel scene, where
the unknown knight lifts his visor and
stands revealed as Karl Angel.
"There, what's to be done? 1t starts
at IL, and I'm bound to be there" he
went on, staring past me very strange
ly. "Ah, I know! Look here don't
stop to change, but as soon as the cur
tain drops, jump into cab and come
straight here. shall just have time to
get into them and be at the club by IL.
Now, don't forget, Strang, want them
to time particularly. Dash off the mo-
ment you've killed your man and grip
ped the verdict of the house.
"Why. certainly, Mr.. Caffyn; rely
on that
was out, and making back to the
railway station in whirl. Imagine I
seemed to be treading on air; wanted
to give great shout-but it was the
time, if ever, to keep desperately cool.
I had meant to run back home and see
Nance-there was something more I
had to say to her, but there would only
be just time enough to purchase one or
two little things / must have, snatch
tea, freshen my memory by glance
through the "cues," and then-and
then prepare to realize and eclipse the
widest dream l ever dreamed. For to-
night l was Caffyn himself-and to-
night was to play Karl Angel.
By o'clock / had seen Blake. By
half past l had slipped into dressing
room and locked the door. At a minute
to s, when the oallboy's voice sounded
above the finale Of the orchestra, I step
ped out, ready. One of the supers, as l
passed close, touched his forehead.
Good evening, Mr.. Caffyn!'
Eleven o'clock and all over! A glori-
GUS success, that was ending in pro-
longed shout as the curtain went slowly
down. And I-sick with the intoxica-
tion, with the certain knowledge that I
had made never a palpable slip and
more than justified my claims-I stood,
my foot on the chest of my prone oppo-
nent, lifting my sword in one hand and
with the other clasping the maiden
whose cause l had championed and
won. Yes, at that moment could un-
derstand what Caffyn felt every night
what it was to be an idol of the people,
if only for All hour.
"Caffyn. Caffynl Bravo, Caffyn"
they were shouting, and up rolled the
curtain for the third time, then down.
and it was all over.
strobe "off." Blake was waiting.
One smile, and he pressed my hand.
"Bravo it is. Strangl He ought to have
been here-it'll leak out Take my word
for it, you need never look back now !
Superb"
But it was Nance I wanted to see.
She was there in front, and her eyes
would be swimming with sheer pride, I
knew we'll. was making for the dress
ing room-and then / suddenly reool-
lected what l had promised Caffyn.
! Slipping on my hat and overcoat, 1
stuffed the helmet and my own clothes
into the trunk, scribbled note Of ex.
PLANTATION and gave it to the oallboy to
take round to where Nance waited and
hurried out into the street. There was
an empty hanson just moving past the
theater.
"Strand hotel, sir? Right-inside 30
minutes" remember sank back on