The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1904-02-25

But can't think OF anybody else, And
he's somebody. you can make up your
mind to that"
what are you going to do?'
I'm going to keep him in sight
"He may be leaving at this moment"
interrupted Kent. But Bond shook MS
head, with Il smile.
"If he was" said he, you'd see an
usher coming down those stairs four at
jump. To proceed, I've sent for New
York man who happens to be In Bridge
port and who knows Blaisdell, but it's
chance II he gets here before the per-
Torrance Is over. II he doesn't, I'll try to
hold this fellow somehow or follow him;
l haven't quite made up my mind. You
stand ready TO help me, and I'll let you In
on the story. We ought to go back now.
l came down here just to see whether the
fellow was 'on to me and would try to
get out"
They returned to the auditorium, and
Kent resumed his place behind the chairs,
separated from the object Of his attention
only by the rather narrow orchestra cir
Gle" Nothing OF Importance happened
during the remainder of the performance
and, indeed Kent found 1t impossible to
keep his attention from the play, which
was excellent and exceptionally well pre-
scented. He was somewhat surprised dur
Ing n bit of pathos In the last act to OBJ
serve that the mysterious stranger was
deeply affected, even to tears apparently,
for he used his handkerchief vigorously.
At the very last Kent saw man tiptoe
down the aisle and lay cautious hand
upon Bonds shoulder. Obviously this was
! the New 70 Ser who knew Blaisdeil. the
! thief. 1t csIne upon Kent as an interest
! ing touch of nature that the man In the
| raincoat, with dire peril so near, should
! have been shedding tears for the mimic
woes of the leading lady of the drama.
Before Bord and the newcomer could
! exchange more than half n dozen words
/ the play was over. There was quite a
| tempest OF applause. The audience arose
| The company was called out upon the
| stage again and again. AS those OF the
audience who were far back could see al
most nothing many Of them began tC
leave the house, and Kent succeeded In
| working his way down among the aisles
until he was close behind the stranger
Meanwhile Bond and his acquaintance
had sdled in so that they stood beside
| Kent Obviously the climax OF q rea
drama had arrived.
| At this moment the stranger turned fol
the first time toward the elderly man ant
the girl who sat beside him. Kent saw
his face clearly in the now Brilliant,
lighted auditorium. The man had wiped
the black from his eyebrows and mus
tache and the change in his appearance
was simply amazing. 1t was fairly In
credible. Kent stared at him. obliyiou
OF everything else except the wonder o
this transformation so simply effected
Suddenly the pretty girl turned towar'
the man OF mystery, and she uttered
sound that seemed to combine a cry o
terror with burst OF hysterical laughter
Harry" she cried. Harry! You here
1t can't be!'
At this the elderly man wheeled as II h
had been struck blow.
"Why-why! he exclaimed, unable I
find words to express his establishment.
"S-s-s-h, for the love of heavenl' wills
pered the young man. 1T promised Mill
solemnly that I wouldn't come, She
have fallen in a faint on the stage II sh
had known that was in the house, But
but couldn't stay away. My own frs
play, and my wife in the leading part
That's too much to ask of any man, Ism
It, dad?'
"Well less than that was too much
ask of u.s." replied his father. eve prom
Used Mile that we wouldn't come, as 20
know, but we sneaked down here
: "Sneaked!" echoed the author "Wh.
, / came In disguise, and l crept aroun
like a criminal. ! was afraid some blame
; fool would see me on the street and te
. Mile. But she'll forgive me after such
SUCCESS"
, Detective Bond laid a hand upon Kent
|, shoulder and whispered in his ear.
(which Of u.s." he asked. lis the blame
: fool mentioned by our mysterious friend