The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-13

"7VVSEOEEW'SFsSE'sSgFESs'sG ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
=
would Caffyn dream of allowing it? 1
could hardly expect it. Whether or no,
that nights work would send me spring
ing up the slippery ladder, knew.
Hurrahl
"Nance, Nance" 1 went up those
stairs three at time-the prospect
seemed to make another man of me,
and she-when she dropped that ever
lasting needlework and swayed up in
maze, l remember l held her at arms
length. "It's guinea kiss todayl"
l laughed. And then, touched by the
look on her pale, dazed face-we had a
real struggle to beat back the wolff
Gained down. "Tm quite sane, dearie
You said my chance would come; it has
the very night the new theatre opens!
Say nothing to anybody, but be there
by eight, and see if you know the man
who plays Karl Angel"
A few more quick breaths of eXplana-
ton and then ran out-leaving her in
fit of tears and laughter together
and was hurrying westward to see Nor
man Caffyn. Great actor as he was, |
had no sense of presumption at the
time, but simply sent up card marked
urgent" l recollect, though, it did
seem dreamlike as | was shown up the
grand staircase to his sitting room
still more 80 when, as he opened the
door, found him dressed, smoking a
cigar and looking precisely as usual
except, l thought, trifle startled.
ooh, it's you'll" He seemed relieved.
"What's up? You're to take my place
tonight-you! All, of course, you
why, what about Wentworth Sure
ly"-
"He's not to be found. Sorry to hear
of your indisposition, Mr.. Caffyn," |
said, wondering a little what 1t all
meant.
ooh, no, you're notl" He turned
away rather sharply. Truth to tell, it
struck me at once that the thing was
more or less a sham-but that was
purely his own business. sits rare
chance for you. Of course, you hap
pened to have just the cut and style.
Wentworth not to be lad. Queer
That's bit of pique, I'll wager-he
rather annoyed me sometime 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 it stands
By Jovel reckon, them" he went on
absently, "Blake is good deal put
out? Has he posted an intimation"
mo, Mr.. Caffyn," / said quickly
walking up close. "He has not, because
I've taken the liberty of telling hin
there was no need-that can take bott
parts" 1t was out, and curious enough
it sounded, but l gave him no time tt
gasp, and ran on with tense GOODNESS
that must have startled him. "I'm no
playing the fool, Mr.. Caffyn: shall
not disgrace your reputationl For year
Blake has refused me an opening, al
you know, and to-day have as goot
as challenged him to this. The notion
came into my head, and l can do it
you'll let me. This one night No ON
knows of your note, andh-
"No one knows!" he put in breath
lessly, catching my arm. "Why, it,
the"- There he stopped. If / hat
made some dreadful proposal, he coul'
hardly have turned whittier. "No, l..
couldn't think of it," he said, and sa
down. For minute or 80 stood Their
staring at him, and then he turne'
round. "All right, have your within
man." he whispered. "Let the hous
find it out for themselves. Go on
Hold hard, Strang"
/ had just snatched up the trunk
with hoarse "Thanks for that, sirl'
and was opening the door, when HI
sprang up and blurted out. He had
hand to his forehead.
"No, I've just recollected-I shall
want that mail shirt and helmet ant
the rest for the fancy dress ball at tn,
club to-nightl" That was it. We stoot
looking at each other; could hardl,
play the part without them-especiall1
in that last famous duel scene, wher,
the unknown knight lifts his visor an,
stands revealed as Karl Angel.
"There, what's TO be done? 1t start
at twelve, and Pm bound to be there,
he went on, staring past me yer,
strangely. "Ah, / knowl Look here
don't stop to change, but as soon as tn
curtain drops, jump into cab an,
come straight here. / shall just hav
time to get into them and be at tn
club by twelve. Now, don't forget
Strang, l want them to time particu
larly. Dash off the moment you'v
killed your man and gripped the yer
dict of the house."