The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-28
JOSEPHINE.
BY oPIE READ
Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story Pub Col

Copyright 1901. by Daily Story Pub Col ss,s ss ss g & s & $ s x <, and the waffle man was banished. O the spot where his stove had stood wa | a brass post holding aloft c miniatur Denver Flyer" One oay Gene was pass ing the corner. now so vaguely reminis cent. when friend seized hold of hi | arm and said: Hold on. don't try {, pass a fellow. Getting So proud witt the success of your play that you can see 8 common man, eh?'
 ''oh. hello! l was just thinking o 1 something"
 | Congratulations won't disturb youl thoughts l suppose. even though the! are trife late.'
 Not at all How goes everything?'
 '.All right. Where is your play now?'
 Tn Denver. And, by the way, I have just received news that the leading lady | has been taken suddenly i'll and that hel | place Is to be taken by a promising un derstudy. am very sorry, for a grea, my, ideas exactly, and without her don't believe the piece will any longer be go. You see l coached her. gave her the atmosphere. and she breathed into 1t the breath of life."
 Don't be discouraged. Maybe the un- derstudy will come out all right"
 Its hardly possible. I've a notion to go out to Denver-I might help some
 
 get a ticket.'
 The train arrived in Denver a few hours late. The performance was on. and Gene was driven at once to the theatre. It was too late to attempt to do any thing. and with a nervous dread he took a seat in the auditorium. Suddenly he was thrilled. The understudy was on and was carrying the house. Years had passed but in an instant he recognized her the girl who had stood against the wall with a shawl about her head. He hastened to the stage. "Ah, here is our author" said the stage manager, lead start and then blushed as he had seen her blush in the cold air, years ago.
 "Oh," she said, and did you write those beautiful lines?"
 They were never oeautitul until they fell from your lips"
 "oh. you must not fiatter me. am a waif. you know"
 An angel may aopear to have no home" he replied.
 An. you are a naughty genius. But how did you happen to come in here at this time? Was it to see your play fail?'
 "on our old corner saw a sign that pointed to Denver
 About her neck was a ribbon. and to 1t attached a piece of silver. You gave |: to me- she said. Tt is the ten cent piece"
 Tt has drawn q million fold interest But why did you run away?"
 "I had to go with those who took me. But did not forget, and after learned to write I would have written, but did not know your name. Once I went through the old town. and went to tha corner. but they were pulling down a house. and the waffle man was not there. Have you seen the program? Look at 1t and you will see that my name Is sdll simply Josephine. Do you mind If go on with the piece? The leading lady has been taken to New York"
 You shall go on with it. She may have been sublime, but you-you are di- vine."
 Goodbye for time. must go on now.'
 Returning to the front of the house he gazed upon a wedding scene, jealous, almost mad. and at the conclusion of the play he bounded back and caught the bride beautiful from the altar. Do you love that fellow that stood there with you?" he asked his eyes dark with Das- sion.
 Yes. in a very natural way. He is my brother
 "oh. that is different. But do you love any. one as-as-I love you"'
 She looked down. No, not as you may, love me. but-more. more-I have loved you always. and I am not abashed to tell you; it is a glory with me, a"
 Here" cried the stage manager, "the play is over"
 it is just beginning anew replied Gene; and a few nights later. when a preacher had been engaged, the audience did not know that in the last scene q bridegroom had been substituted and that the marriage was according to law. real and happy"
 XPATRIATE" by Grace s. Coffin.