The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-01-21


and catch his arm to keep him from
striking her. He's a genius. but his
temper is something awful It's mo
worse, though. than with some OF the
big companies" pc s.,'
Il don't think shall want any Of it,
she shnddered. 1T has cured me com.
pletely OF my desire to go the
stage"
'Do you think you could settle down
to being just Mrs. Tom seatonG' he
pleaded. Il want you so, dear
Don't please" she begged. 'You
know how feel"
he turned away. BE knew all too
well how she felt. That same roman.
ticism that urged her to the stage act
ed against him. he was Just Tom Sea-
ton, big, good natured and a faithful
friend, but entirely too unromantic to
appeal to her heart. He had destroyed
the glamour of the stage for her by
bringing her to rehearsal Only mir.
acle could work the other change.
He had slipped his coat OF when he
had come in, following the example of
the rest, and now he turned to cigar
for solace. he was carefully selecting
one from his case when a cry from
Beth caused him to turn.
There just below the platform stood
King, the lion used in the trick. In
the excitement some one had neglected
to fasten the door Of the cage, and
while they had been talking he had
slipped out and started on a tour OF
investigation.
All of the players had gone to change
their costumes, and the property man
had taken advantage of Hermes' alb
sence to slip out to the corner for a
glass Of beer They were alone. Just
below him on the edge of the platform
were a couple of reyolvers loaded with
blank charges. With a bound he
caught one of these up and discharged
1t into Kings face. With an. angry
snarl the brute turned and charged to
ward the other end OF the room.
Tom caught up the other revolver
and slipped 1t into his pocket. Then he
seized st. Elmo's wand and followed
the retreating form. Back and forth
they went, up and down the hall, until
at last with quick turn Tom headed
the brute into his cage Just as Hernes
rushed in.
1t was he who latched the door OF
the cage, for now that the danger was
over Beth was cllngIng to Tom, muir.
muring praises that sounded sweet to
his ears.
Hermes came forward, but Tom. dis
engaging himself from Beth's clasp.
went toward him and whispered in his
ear. Hermes smiled knowingly pnd
darted out. Presently he was back
again. nss g,f,.
There is carriage at the door" lie
said Il am sorry that Miss Albright
should have had so unpleasant an ex-
perienee while my guest."toE -, 'ah
"Alrs well that ends WELL" laughed
Tom. Good night, Hermes, ana mtin,.
thanks for your. courtesy. I'll, see Yos
torhorfow.'1 ~ 4 Ma 4
In the carriage Beth chung to Tom r..
though the danger were not vet over
And to think" she sobbed penitently.
"that I did not realize what brave
man you were! do love you, Tom.
but somehow
81 know" he said gently as. she fal.
tered. You, wanted hero, and, i was
so dreadfuIly cutnmehplace.s y
You're not!' she cried Indignantly,
only 1-well, l never realized before
how big and brave you We're"
"All's well that ends we'll" he
chuckled. "Tomorrgw morning YOU
will be wearing the biggest solitAlre
that an engaged girl eyerIhad.p
Il don't deserveNtt, she said meekly.
You're awfully good, Tom"
Some hours later Seaton sat IN his
little den absorbing brandy and soda
IN absolute content. He looked up at
Beth's picture on the mantel. NJ.
Il guess you've had lot o. Ideals
smashed tonight, little Crib he unused.
"but 1T was good for you. and II any
one ever tells You that that poor old
brute was darned sight more scared
then you ever could be III knock his
\ blamed bend off.H falr ti8 Ill