The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-02

her.
Yes, laddie," said the old man
speaking for once quite naturally
"PVe had a good many struggles tc
Keep on my feet, but I've always man.
aged to pay my way. 1t'll be the first
time I've had to bolt. I've had my day
We all come to the same thing in the
show business. We get swamped al
last. I shouldn't care so much, If IL
wasn't for Maidie," he said. Then
turning to the girl with tears twink
ling in his eyes, he said: "Why don't
you leave me? You'd soon make your
| way on the stage. I'm afraid I've got
| to the end of my tether.'
| II shall never leave you, dad" said
Maidie quietly, $50 don't talk like that.
| Wen go to London together, and make
| fresh START
In the meantime an idea had struck
me. was staying with Sir Andrew
Stillingfieet at the time, whose place
was only few miles out of Norford.
He, too. was something of an old show
man, but an aristocratic one, and he
and /, and few more, were syndicat-
ing new piece. which we were about
| to send on tour. 1t occurred to me that
II could induce him, out of good ma
ture, to pay visit to old Jimmy's ex-
hlbition the local aristocracy would be
certain to follow suit. Besides might
manage to get Maidie engaged for our
new piece. I broached the subject to
MIN when we were having an after
dinner smoke. "The man who Is run
ming that exhibition in Norford is an
old pal of mine," 1 said by way of in
PRODUCTION.
There's never anything worth see
ing in Norford," said Sir Andrew,
shortly.
Hes in bit of a hole" continued.
The townspeople won't support him.
l wish you would drive over one after
noon and look in for half an hour.
Everybody would think it good enough
to go, too, if you led the way"
whats the name Of the MANI" he
asked.
ITS Jimmy Merrion-not bad old
sort in his way"
Jimmy Merrion!" he said sharply,
and with sudden interest. II know
him. He was at Oxford with me. Ran
through his money and went to the
bad. The man was rather a bounder.
But there are many worse"
The following day, after luncheon,
the old baronet suggested we should
drive into Norford and see the exhibit
tion. 1 acquiesced readily, as 1 knew
what it would mean to Jimmy. Be-
sides, ] was anxious to see Maidie
again. l believe Sir Andrews visit had
the desired effect, and turned the tide
in Jimmy's favor, for he told me after
ward that he got out of it with a profit.
But more important things followed
that visit.
When the cigars and whiskey were
going after dinner that night, to my
surprise. Sir Andrew returned to the
subject. Mice girl that" he said,
"Who?" 1 inquired.
Jimmy Merrion's daughter. You're
a bit smitten, are you not?" he said,
giving me a shrewd look.
We'll" 1 said, evasively, IT don't
know about being smitten. She is very
beautiful. and she seems to have a
sweet disposition"
you mean to say she's the best girl
you have ever seen in your life and
that you are head over heels in love
with her, but don't like to own up,"
I wondered for a moment if he We're
Joking. But curiously enough he was
quite in earnest. The old cynic was |
almost as much struck by her beauty
and manners as I was myself.
would you like her to have a part |
in the new play?" he asked.
Yes, should" answered promptly. |
And why not let Jimmy be agent in
advance? We shall never get a better
man."
Sir Andrew agreed, and then added |
,arelessly. II can't understand man
ike Merrion having such daughter"
"She is not his own daughter" said.
"Ah! l guessed as much" he said,
lelping himself to some soda. what
vas the name of her mother?"
Ada Sinclair" I answered. II be-
ieve she was fairly well known in her
lay"
II remember her name" he said and
noticed that as he held his tumbler
% the siphon his hand was shaking.
Then the conversation drifted to gen.
'ral subjects. l remember in particu-
ar that in discussing old English
omedy, he mentioned that, as young
nan, he financed a revival OF "The
Good Natured Man." at the Queens,
md that it had very satisfactory
un. and then went on tour. But Sir
ANDREW was quite unlike himself that
evening, for as we We're saying good
light he suddenly returned to the sub
ect of the Merrions.
Now look here, Beresford," he said,
king his keen eyes on mine-and his
ace was curiously gray and stern
you are young man and I am an
I'D one. My life lies behind me, and
is mostly bundle of regrets You
lave future. l want to ask YOU q
traight question. Suppose this Mer-
ion girl comes on tour with us, and
'ou continue to like her, what is the
,ame going to be?'
II should marry her." said sharp
y.
He looked at me for moment In
Hence, with queer, hard smile
his old face. "Are you quite
ertain of that?" he said.
Absolutely certain" l replied.
Although she has neither position
or money?"
Although she has neither position
or money" ! said, warmly, for /
ather resented this questioning. I
hought he was going to make some
urther remark, but all he said was: :
We'll, good night"
Six months later, on the morning
hat Maidie and l We're married, firm /
I solicitors forwarded to us a ban
er's draft for large amount as a
'edding present. The note which ac-
it merely said that they /,
cted under the instructions of client !.
Tho had been a friend of Miss Ada !,
inclair. and wished US WELL l had