The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-20

"Ihat is. | can make my exit" she
replied, with a smile.
He could have opened fire on her
with a Maxim gun, but Mr.. Maxim had
forgotten to leave any Of his weapons
around the house. Mrs. Bowser did
not retire. The library door had sagged
and would not close. and she had only
TO pu. her ear to the crack. wink at the
cat and overhear every word OF the
conversation inside.
Have you spoken to your wife re-
garding the matter?" was the first
question asked by the caller.
Not a word" replied Mr.. Bowser, ly-
ing as easily as a boy sliding down a
cellar door.
II am glad of that. Very few wo-
men have any sympathy with the
drama. A thought or two occurred to
me today and I called here twice. Both
times L was met by your wife, and I
do not think you need expect much en-
enlargement from her"
"She will be left out Of the matter al
together"
Good! Have you a drop of wine
handy?
Mr.. Bowser had a drop, and about
400 of them went to make up a drink.
Il can always think and talk better
when I am smoking" said the Thes-
plan after swallowing the wine.
Mr.. Bowser produced a cigar.
Selection of a Title.
"Now, then, for the play. The first
thing is the title. We have got to have
something catchy. 1t is no use try
ing to lift the drama out of the slough
In which it is wailowing without the
right sort of a title. 1t must catch the
eye; it must make the beholder Won
der; it must set him to thinking. We
must first get a title and then write a
play to fit it. What have you thought
Of during the day"
Il have five here, and you can tell me
what you think Of them-'The Mystery
The Hidden Crime The Stolen Child,
Was She Guilty?' and Who Was the
Theft"
Each and every of them very
good, Mr.. Bowser-very good" replied
the partner. In fact, we shall have
10 difficulty in founding a play on any
Of them. am satisfied that you have
versatility, AID versatility is every
thing il a Play. Do you mind if l take
another DROP o. wine? The evening
air mules ny Il .'oat raw"
he Gets very Chumn1y.
When the caller n~l swallowed the
wine and wiped OF his mouth he said:
I'VE are friends and Should address
each other as such. My first name is
ROnaldO, and you may call me Ron fol
short. Your first name, l believe, j.:
Samuel. and l will call you Sam. Now.
Sam, we mast settle on how many act.
we shall have TO the play. We will
take the title of The Stolen Child An
audience always sympathizes with d
child, especially a stolen child. She
will be a girl who "a stolen from her
cradle by her nurse in revenge On
the mother for not paying her higher
wages. Do you follow"
Certainly"
"Then I'll take another drop Of that
wine-just a wee drop. It's curious
uO" Tic law oil dhcClS LILY ulIOdl
I'm, but that's a very fair brand-very
fair. Another cigar, if you will, Sam,
and if you don't care III put a handful
Of them in my pocket to smoke tomor-
row. Had known that you kept good
wine and cigars in the house | could
have told you at first that you would
make a success as a playwright. How
many acts GO Eou think we ought to
haye?"
Began t. BE Dubious.
Il dunno" rcp.iSd Mr.. Bowser, who
had begun to smell u rat.
We'll. we a GecitH on that later
o., when you have finished act No. /
Any nor wine in that D0ttle?'
M. EoWser didn't say.
And, say, Sam, if you have got a
tenner about You please pass it along
NY land!a1y, YOU know"
NJ. IoU;Ser dida't pass it.
'Eona!do and Sam, Damon and Pyth-
las smiled the Thespian.
Mr.. Bowser rose and took the caller
by the arm, led him down the hall and
handed him his overcoat and hat and
pushed him out into the cold world.
"TEhlt is it. Sam-Sammy. my Doy?'
was asked, but Mr.. Bowser made no
reply. He walked back to the sitting
room to find Mrs. Bowser there and
trying to look as serious as she posi-
bly, could.
Well. has the drama been lifted and
improyeu?' she asked after he had
stood and glared at her for a minute.
Your lawyer, my lawyer-divorcer
he Kissed Is he waved a tragic wave
and he stalked down the hall and
stalked upstairs and left her laughing
until the cat triel to climb up on the
back of her chair and pat her on the
back. NJ. QUAD.