The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-01-17

room now, for most of the performers
who were quartered In that vicinity Of
the house were early on the bill, and
no friendly lights shone from their
rooms as he passed.
He had almost completed his toilet
for the street when Brown came down
from the stage, perspiration streaming
! from his face as the result of his exer-
| lions. Hetherington merely glanced
round and promptly returned to the in
tricacies of a new tie. Suddenly his
ear caught sharp click, and he looked
up in establishment to see Brown lock-
Ing the door and slipping the key in his
pocket. Something in the tense pose
of the monologist and the flash of his
eye made Hetherington feel strangely
nervous
II say, old chap, what's the mat
teri" he asked In carefully modulated
tones.
Brown regarded him silently for
moment, then replied slowly:
Il thought that possibly you might
like to watch me take off my makeup"
Nonsense" returned the other sharp
ly. Washing up is no novelty to
performer Of fourteen years expert
ence, and besides I'm in a hurry to
meet some friends at the Bohemian
club"
Yes, so l heard you tell-your-your
wife,"
Hetherington stood ready now, hat
oil IL cv, T.
impatient.
Come, unlock that door"
Without replying Brown stripped off
the gaudy shirt and placed it on the
hook above the already discarded coat
and vest. Below the short sleeves of
MS undershirt rose superb biceps, and
there was something almost contemp
tuous In the glance he turned on thu
lighter and more elegant build of his
companion.
You will find, Hetherington, he
said as he sat down in front of his
glass and reached for the cold cream.
that even to the actor of fourteen
years experience there are times when
the removal Of a mans makeup Is Hike
tearing the veil from the long dead
past"
Hetherington scowled and laid q do.
termlned hand on the doorknob. The
other man, still calming rubbing cold
cream on his face, spoke in cool even
tones:
I'VE are the only actors on this syde
or the house, the orchestra is making
such racket that nobody could hear
you II you yelled, and l shall be under
the painful necessity of smashing your
mead with chair if you attempt to
break that lock. Sit down, man! Sit
down! I've been waiting five years for
just this chance. I don't mean to lose
it now"
Hetherington was trembling. though
he made strong bluff at self possess
sion. Was this new roommate a drug
nend, or was it case of temnorarv
mental arrangement? Perhaps Brown
read the thought, for he smiled prim1v
and suddenly reached for the large
turkish towel. Under its vigorous treat
nent cold cream and pigment came off
At the same instant he spranp
o his feet. The two men stood face IN
ace, but only for few seconds. Then
detherington, white to the lips. cow.
'red against the wall and breathed
heavily.
Phil Henderson,
Right you are 1 thought you'd re-
nember-when the cork came off. No.
ION touch that door" This as Hetb.
rlngton made feeble ATTEMPT to rat
lie the d0orknob. Were going to tall
his over. Let's see; it was five years
60 wasn't it, that you stole my wifeY
es' stole; that's the world She was
Apply enough with me till you came
uon Delleve she's been as happy with
gu. don't believe she ever loved i
ou." The cords in his neck were swol- {
~ ana the words came thick and
ara. 1T was her professional pride '
gu appealed to. The prospect of q l
eW York opening turned her head and 4
'aue ner forget how-how-I loved her @
ouve had five long years of hanni. L
ess that belonged to me-. and-noy n
oure going to pay for them" b
A look of piteous appeal came into c
eyes, but no word passed Il
$ iips' Brown looked down upon tbe Il
ouching, cringing form. D
I snail have to tell the doorkeener
~ went out through the front of tbe -
'use' AS for your wife-your wife
~ ! lnlne-sne will not look for You =.
g. morning, and by that time I'll be
he on the Pacific Mail steamer on INV =