The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-09-04
LOVE--.AS a
MATTER OF COURSE
BY cosMo HAMILTON.

cloak. tell him that I'm very busy, but
| that | can give him couple of minutes. "
You wouldn't have recognized the
Charlie Blyton who entered
His small, well-groomed mustache
had gone. His hair, instead of being
! brushed tightly away from his face, hung
well forward. He wore soft hat, such
| as dramatic critics and unsuccessful pro-
fessional people wear, and clothes of an
eccentric character-bIack.
We'll, sir? said Mr.. Saxemundunl,
leaning gracefully over the back of his
broken chair.
How do do?" said Blyton. IF you're
not 100 busy / should like few mo-
ments with you"
Something in Blyton's manner and his
enunciation told Saxemundum that he
was not dealing with a local reporter
Sit down, sir" he said.
Blyton sat down on pile of theatrical
posters.
Let me come to the point without
beating about the bush. Are you pre-
pared, for a sum of money. to send your
leading man for months holiday on
full pay and let me take his place in your
company? And if 50, how much do you
want ?"
In Mr.. Saxemundunn's eyes there came
a look of intense surprise For fully a
minute he looked hard at B1yton Then
glimmer of smile appeared at the
corners of his mouth and he glanced in
voluntarily at a poster-portrait of the
leading lady, which hung from. Gagged
gas bracket.
Two hundred pounds he said.
Right" said Blyton. I'll write you
check"
Unless, of course added the man
ager, with a look of self-disgust, you
care to make it two-hfty."
Il think two hundred more than am
ply meets the case said Blyton. viii
you give me a line acknowledging the
amount, stating briefly what it is for and
guaranteeing to pay your leading mans
salary while he is away"
Il will" replied Mr. Saxemundum !
Il take it that YOU have acted before and !;
that you won't make a owing ash of
the part?"
81 have acted in regimental shows for
years, and have played the hero in your
play frequently. With one rehearsal in
the morning, can take up the part to-
morrow night.
Again there came the glimmer of a
smile at the corners of the managers
mouth. do you want to be starred on ,
the programs and posters -
NO, thanks"
The smile widened, as the manager
wrote
Army. I presumed"
Once
@Ah. 'Alf-pay, I suppose?"
Retired"
''Ah. Adoptin the stage as a profess
sion, take it ?"
For a month.
"Ah" The smile almost broke into a
grin. There you are, Mr. Blyton, and
here's the check. Thanks. All SCoutts's,
see Nice class of bank, that Will /.
you go in front for the remainder of the
oiece?"
Thanks, yes. I think / will"
Mr.. Saxemundum slowly folded up the
check, and then, emptying the pocket of
a once white wastcoat of snuff, care
fully tucked the check into it.
After the show" he said, I'll intro
1uce you to my leading lady, Miss Enid
Edwards. That's her photo. Nice-look-
ng young lady, amt she?"
Blyton turned on his heel and opened
he door
AS Mr.. Saxemundum followed him
out, the glimmer of smile broke into
sly chuckle Ii
The month ran out quickly. The COM
,any moved from Wigan to Bootle from
3oot1e to Bolton, and from Bolton to
Rugby The play had been more than E,
Usually successful. 1t was, as | dare
ay you know, what is called drawing
Dom drama That is to say, it was
LAY in which the utterly impossible was
made almost probable by being wrapped
ip in excellent dialogue. The characters
II it did nothing that human beings ever
10 in their naddest moments, and they
aid nothing that human beings ever say /
n their smartest moments. There were
everal situations which were what is
allied Strong and which consequently
6l.3ss1s,.[s%.Isl.Sl.6