The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-09-20
why. Billy" he cried, and sprang

/
| slipped away was the two men wildly
shaking hands and humping each 9TH
er on the breast.
| They had quoted down when Mabel
| and her mother came to announce dim
ner but the professor colored UP when
he saw the ladies'.
Mrs Benham," he said, permit
me to present my friend, Mr.. Gilbert.
! Miss Benham, Mr. Gilbert" Then he
added hurriedly: "Mr. Gilbert and
will dine at the hotel this evening"
Sorry to disappoint you, dear boy,
said the newcomer, but | have an
other engagement
May l ask where?" inquired the
professor.
Here" replied the newcomer, as be
| followed Mrs. Benham to the dining
room. Then, when they were seated,
he turned to the hostess. Madam, he
said. IAN | to infer that you have
prejudice against the people OF the
stage?'
Certainly not" the lady replied.
But why do you ask such a qucs-
tion?'
Because Prof Jim Philips here
quite neglected to state my business,
said the newcomer with a qulzzlcal
smile. "And. naturally, l argue that
he either is ashamed of his friends
profession, or else he wished to spare
your feelings. But shall not spare his.
1t is right for you TO learn just what
| company he keeps. Know then,
madam, that am an actor and play
wright"
Mrs. Benham's eyes frightened.
"You are not Mr. William Gilbert, OF
Shirley Hume fame, are your she
asked.
The same, madam.
This Is an unexpected pleasure,
said the good lady. I'VE have heard
so much about you and your wonder
| fully successful play. l am surprised
| that the professor has not mentioned
you"
so am l." said the newcomer. Il am
s,rieved. II theatre hadn't burned ana
thrown us out of a three nights en-
gagement | couldn't be here. And just
think CT it. If it hadn't been for Jim /
never would have thought of making
! the stage a profession. He led me into
it. jim is the best amateur actor our
| old alma mater ever rooted, and he
gave me the first part l ever learned
II little farce he wrote himself. Did
you not, JIM"
A smile struggled across the profess
sor's face. 1t deepened and then he
laughed merrily. And William Gilbert
laughed, too, and so did Mabel and her
mother. And then Mabel caught the
eminent actors merry eye.
Il beg your pardon, professor" said
Mrs. Benham, .'but you don't mind our
laughing. do your
Not in the least" replied the pro-
fessor, with a cheerful grin. Il take it
as a compliment to my actor friend.
It's his business to make people laugh,
you know"
Il declare" said the actor as they
dinner so much in don't know when.
Here I've been on the road for five-
months and haven't dared to crack a
make-believe smile, much less the real
article. tell you it's relief to get
the risible muscles in working order
again. I'd have walked all the way
from Chicago for An evening like this"
They were back in the parlor, and as
til, actor-playwright finished his little
speech Mabel caught his eye.
I'm afraid" she said. "that the pro-
fessor has permitted your presence to
make him forget promise he gave to
mamma this morning"
And what was that, may ask?' in
quired Gilbert.
He promised he would finish his
talk on "Cnorganized Charity as q
Wrecker Of Spontaneous Sympathy
during the dinner tonight"
Dear, dear: does he run 'em In
serial etyle?" inquired Gilbert in a tone
Of mock soiicitute. But, there. it's too
late now to cry over wrecked SYM
pathy. The professor and will walk
down to the hotel, get my travelling
bag, enjoy a good cigar and presently
reappear and make an evening OF 1t.
Do hear any objection?"
Does the professor really smoker
said Mabel with lifted eyebrows.
pray don't be astonished at any
thing concerning my cloudy past that
this alleged boyhood friend considers
it pleasant to reveal" said the pro-
fessOr.
The two men were not gone long.
They came back in the best of spirits.
| The professor was laughing merrily as
they entered, and mother and daughter
in the parlor, awaiting their return,
smiled at the unwonted sound.
Then ensured most delightful even
| ing. Gilbert took possession of the
piano and proved himself player OF
remarkable resources. And the profess
sor sang some astonishingly amusing
songs, for which Gilbert told funny
dialect stories, and he and the profess
sor had a shreking sidewalk con-
versarion in an awful German patois.
"You didn't know you were enter
taining a vaudeville angel unawares,'