The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-08-02
An Ideal
Collaboration.
A Story of Two Playwrights
Who Loved-Whom ?
Observation-Disclosures


1t was an ideal collaboration. Every.
body said so. and. in theatrical affairs.
everybody always knows. At the end Of
the third act it was SO evident that the
play was to be success that the men lef'
off asking each other what the deuce the
author could know about the stage, and
the women decided that after all the color
of the authoress' hair was much more
nearly auburn than red.
The fourth act was a good deal better
than the average fourth act. put 1t in
that way because / don't wish to appear
fulsome, but, as a matter of fact, it was
about as good in its way as the majority
Of fourth acts are bad. When the final
curtain fell. the house became highly ex.
cited. and it is pleasant to be able to state
that, despite the fact that they had paid
for their seats, the gentlemen in the gal
lery behaved themselves quite nicely.
The engaged couples from the suburbs and
stage stricken governesses in the upper
circle would rather have died than move
from their places without having seen
the authors of the play; the true support,
crs of the drama in the pit congratulated
each other on highly profitable evening:
the members Of the profession In the cir
Gle determined to make the acquaintance
of the lucky young couple without delay:
the critics in the stalls felt a sense of re-
lief at being able to say something really
nice, for q change. without wounding
their all too tender consciences, and the
friends of the management in the boxes
Immediately hurried round to congratu.
late ybody and everybody. from the
leading lady to the Hebraic featured
barkers.
"And now" said the audience, they'll
be able to get married and live happily
ever afterward" For II was an open
secret-as open as most theatrical secrets
that these clever collaborators were en-
gagged to each other and needed only the
money that a success would bring them
to set off at once for their honeymoon
Perhaps this sentimental state of affairs
was partly the reason why a large crowd
collected at the stage door to see the
dramatists come forth.
Ii was rather a nervous business for
them. getting into that hanson. but they
managed it without any sacrifice Of dig
nifty and the crowd had the satisfaction
of hearing the author give the cabman
an address In the direction of West Ken
sington.
Its really awfully good Of you" said
the authoress. as soon as they had turned
the first corner. "to see me such a long
way home. Are you sure you don't mind
Dickie?"
"Of course not. DEAR" said the author
Feel tiredT
Eyes. I do now. But wasn't It splendid
the way our big scene caught on?"
Ripping! Fairly knocked 'em! But
always knew it would. The difficulty
was to make any manager believe it."
"Oh. they're so stupid-all the ones who
refused 1t | mean. ] should think they'll
be rather sorry now"
"You bet! I had three offers for our
next piece before left the theater."
"And I had two. That makes five al
together We shall have a monopoly Of
the comedy houses" and the clever little
woman leaned hack in a corner Of the cab
and laughed happily.
"Well." said the man, now II has
come. kiddy. we'll make 'em pay. ehf l
feel that I've got lot to get back on this
sordid old city"
Never mind" she said. gripping his
hand: you've got your reward at last.
old boy. You can have everything you
want now"
"Er-yes." he replied. Glancing at her
for a moment. and then staring straight
in front of him over the horses head.
There was a pause until MAY l light a
cigarette?" he asked rather nerTously.
"Of course"
"Won't it, He indicated her "trip
perry by a sweep Of the hand.
"Not a bit: and besides. It wouldn't
matter now. would It? Do you know.
Dickie"-she leaned forward and slipped
her arm into his-"things seem unreal to.
night. unsubstantiaL Nothing seems quite
the same as 1t did yesterday-except"-
"Yes"
81 was going to say. except you. but
even You don't seem quite the same to-
night. ! didn't think ] was so easily
thrown of my balance"
Perhaps" he said. Ticking at his Gig
arctic ash SO clumsily that he burned bis
finger. perhaps I am not the same"
what do you meanw There was the
slightest trace Of suspicion in her tone
II suppose you are"
There was another pause.
"Aran't you. dear"
The girls tones were very tender. and
he felt her fingers tighten a little on his
arm.
"Yes." he said suddenly. "I'm the same
as Yesterday. hut was different then"
at sounds like puzzle" she said. lay.
ing her cheek against his sleeve. Don't
let's worry any more about it."
"But we must worry. At least must
explain. live not been quite fair to
you"
How do you mean, dear? I'm sure
you have"
mo, 1 haven't. It's all through that
rotten play"
Don't say that. It's good play"
eyes, know. But it's muddled things
up frightfully. Do you remember the lit.
tie tiff we had after one Of the rehears
als?"
do you mean about-about Mr.. Tur.
nerT'
mo, no! I ought never to have said
anything about that. or course you had
to be polite to a man playing such an i'm.