Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-10
A FORGOTTEN EPISODE.

nameJ, TO see the numerous photographs
on the mantel shelf, on the painted deal
chest of drawers and the looking glass.
AS each bore his signature in bold
characters, Sarah Ann was driven to
the conclusion that they were intended
to represent himself at some earlier day.
There was Mr.. Quinton Wayland as Or
lando. as Laertes, as Falkland; tall,
handsome man certainly, very unlike the
lodger on the topmost story of the house
in Bloomsbury upon whose wants she
(more or less) attended.
IF, however, his features had become
more pinched the eyes more sunken, his
skin more wrinkled, Sarah Ann could
still recognize Something of the same
bombastic air.-.-~Mr--, Quinton Wayland
never had the chance of playing such
parts today; he had, indeed, been out of
an engagement for several months, and
even his agent wast beginning to treat
him cavalierly.
For some weeks now he had lived the
simpler life, having his cup of tea and
two slices of dry TOAST in his bedroom,
and as he explained to Sarah Ann, pre-
ferring to obtain his other meals out of
doors. This morning she brought a let
ter on his tray, and he could scarcely
control his Impotence to open it until
Sarah Ann had left the room. But it
was not from the theatrical agent, and
as Mr.. Quinton Wayland read the few
lines his thoughts went back to other
and more prosperous days.
Twenty years must have passed since
he last saw Digby Strong, who had at
that time been regarded as certainly an
inferior. Digby had almost worshipped
him as a hero, for in those days Quin-
toms name had been quite well known;
he had acted at the principal London
theaters, and still he had an album filed
with flattering press cuttings. His mem
DRY concerning Digby proved little
hazy; but Quinton believed that he had
gone abroad in connection with some
kind of business. Now he wrote from
the Savoy hotel; he had lately returned
to England and at a club to which they
used both to belong had by some means
succeeded in discovering Wayland's adj
dress. Digby announced his intention of
paying his old friend visit at II O'Clock
this morning.
Quinton's face grew thoughtful as he
munched his toast he remembered how
that Digby used to consider it an honor
to be seen WITH frfrs how he, for his
own part, used to lord it over the
younger man-~whO now wrote from the
Savoy hotel. He rose from his cane
bottomed chair, and arranged the look
ing glass so as to reflect as much as
possible of his tall figure. He had fallen
70 low that his appearance made it inn
possible to secure an engagement, even
if the opportunity had presented it.
self. His threadbare frock coat was
frayed at the edges, there were innumer-
able stains on the front of his waist
coat whilst his thin, light colored trou
sers appeared TO be beyond redemption.
He might manage, perhaps, to buy
paper collar; he was always eleanly
shaven; he realized that at so he looked
an old man. Still, if he could only get
fresh start it might after all be pos
sible to do something. With a replen
ished WARDROBE anYa few square meals,
anything might jbe practicable, but
withal he was not the man to attempt
to borrow, and now his predominant de,
sire was to deceive Digby Strong; to
take every precaution to prevent him
from suspecting the reality of the pres
ent evil days.
MIR. Quinton Wayland!"
1t was Sarah Ann calling from a low
er story. A week or two ago. she would
have taken the trouble to come to his
door and knock, but he went to the
landing and inquired what she wanted.
"A gentleman to see you" cried Sarah
Ann.
is he in the dining room2'
I'm the ALL was the loud answer.
Take him to the dining room and
say | will come at once"
h.
Ell few moments, wondering what man
ner of man Digby had developed into.
| Then a temptation came to him Could
he bring himself to ask for small loan?
4 few pounds might make all the differ
ence in the world; it might, indeed, save
| Quinton Wayland from the workhouse.
| Provided with decent suit of clothes,
such as could be obtained second hand
| for couple of pounds, he might present
| himself to the agent and perchance OBJ
tain some kind of engagement with
third class provincial company. Quinton
realized that he had been too exacting;
few months ago he had refused one or
| two offers which had seemed not good
enough; but now even a pound week
III a pier pautomime would be better
,Ian nothing.
On the way downstairs Quinton TEN,
ported with himself; he would, wait to
see the Kind OF man he was going to
meet At least Digby's manner proved
satisfactorily eordial-after his first start
of aStOnishment. He was a short man.
| growing stout we'll dressed, wearing a
diamond pin and carrying a new pair of
drab gloves, whilst a glossy silk hat
stood on the table. A Philistine. as he
used to be, but obviously prosperous; he
Wore a moustache. waxed at the points.
and heavy watch guard; his handker-
chief was evidently scented; he looked as
if he could enjoy such dinner as they
no doubt provided at The Savoy!
Quinton Wayland was at once over
come by a sense of antagonism He felt
bitterly toward his quondam friend. and
his own manner became almost ludi
crously exalted. lie held himself az
excessively erect, offering his finger tips.
All, dear boyl" he exclaimed, "we
meet again after many wears"