The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

In agony or Apprehension, william
started TO arrange his modest conjuring
apparatus. A few hours earlier his de-
but as a parlor entertainer had been
matter Of joyous and ambitious an
lticlpation Now, the brocaded walls OF
/ Senator Morgan's music room fairly
threatened to close In and choke him,
while the fragrance Of hothouse flowers
oppressed him strangely. He wondered
how he had ever dared 10 ask the vaude-
Vile agent. who supplied Mrs Morgan,
and other fashionable hOstesses with
talent, TO let him substitute for Thoriey,
the eminent magician who had fallen vic
tim 10 la grippe. or course. he would fail,
/ Mrs. Morgan would be furious. the agent
would never give him another engage
ment and his career would come 70 an
! ignominious end. The laughter and chatter
of the children, dancing on the other side
Of the folding doors, sounded Ike the
deathnen Of his Iong-cherished hopes
Can 1 help you in any way? I am Miss
Morgan. The servants are all busy with
supper-and I thought-perhaps-
Young Williams had never thought OF
needing help. but as he faced the clear
eyed fower-like girl. and the echo OF her
well-modulated voice rang IN his ears. he
felt that his one hope OF succeeding lay in
hCr presence. Men and women, wiser in
the social world than Frank Williams. had
fallen under the spell OF Helen Morgan's
rare sympathy and charm, and wondered
how this girl OF high ideals and gentle
manners could be the daughter Of Senator
H.,
newly acquired wealth. and Mrs Nor
gan, who radiated commonplace attributes
as her recently purchased diamonds
scintillated light
At Franks faItering thanks. Helen
Morgan began quietly but deftly to carry
out his instructions. placing a light gilt
table here, q tabouret there and. where
IL would be within reach Of the conjurer's S
hand, a candle or a cleaning revolver
And though afterward Frank Williams
could not tell how II had happened. be-
fore the settings for his act were pre-
pared the girl had drawn out HIS tale Of
|'talf-tragic struggle, the pr0Saic hard
headed father stormlng over the vision
airy. inexplicable nature OF his youngest
| son. the loyal mother secretly broOding
over and abettng this odd chick Of her
little flock. his constant endeavor 20 learn
the secrets OF magic and then to secure a
hearing even the rented dress suit, and
the gold watch which had been pawned
that very afternoon 20 buy bonbons and
gilded trinkets 10 distribute among his
youthful auditors. And as he finished. ii
seemed 10 Helen Morgan that she sood in
the presence Of a struggling genius. She
had read such stories Of poets, musicians.
and inventors. The tawdiness OF the con-
juring world faded. and tenderly her hand
rested on the white satin cover Of the
young mans servante. Il was a bit of his
mothers wedding dress. sacrificed gladly
10 her sons art, a rich fabric yellowed
with age and finished with strips Of rare
old lace.
The performance was a great success.
The children were duly mystified and
more than delighted with the showers OF
trinkets and bOnbons which apparently
came from an ineXhaustble source. Mrs
Morgan had condescended 70 express her
appreciation, footman had served a sup
per OF such rare delicacies that Frank
had longed 20 pack them all up with HIS
paraphernalia and take them 10 his
mother. and now as he walked down the
broad avenue leading from the house he
felt as II the house behind him was fairy
land indeed and Helen Morgan its
princess.
But he was reused from his dream by
a grimfaced butler. who came hurrying
after him.
You're 10 come back to the house. "
was the brusque order, and, re-entering
his fairyland. William faced Senate,
Morgan. a glowering figure in the fore.
. ground. and Mrs Morgan. a hysterica
one, in the background. But IN the eyes
OF the third he read pity. the same ten
der pity which he had seen In her eyes
when Helen Morgan had stopped to picH
up his trick rabbit as the frightened ami
nal. escaping from bis pocket and
trembling at the shouts OF the children
had run 20 the girl for protection.
It's Jail for you. young man. unles,
t you produce my wife's rings She lef
- them behind the rock-crystal vase IN III,
T music room. and we don't propose 10 have
them disappeared as you do handker
chiefs and rabbits"
The scene which followed was a horTi
q BILE nightmare 10 the young magician-hi.
t own protestations Of innocence drowned il
r. Mrs Morgan's Mysteries. Senator Nor
! gan's orders for an officer. Heleus plead
{ ing. for time 10 search. and finally TIT
discovery Of the rings, by maid, In Mrs
, Morgan's dressing-roon. And when II wa.
e all over. Williams was thrust out in th'
night through a side entrance. feeling
more Ike a thief than an acquitted man
Then suddenly gentle hand fell upon hi!
arm. and a gentler voice murmured IL
his ear:
Just a minute, please. I want 70 tel
: YOU how sorry am. hoped this would
be the greatest night Of your life"
! For one long minute the young mar
70 who had his own way 10 make and tn,
- girl whose future had been assured 81
, far as wealth could accomplish this fea
Y looked into each others eyes And th'
E soul OF the man. suddenly born, went Ou
70 the divine tenderness Of innate wom
=, anliness which is a greater power thar
mere physical beauty. He spoke quietly
but with new-found confidence.
i 1T has been q wonderful, wonderful
r. night TO me--and some day I am coming
Z back 10 tell you why"
{ Under the chaperonage OF dowage
= duchess who knew how 10 turn her it'll
- to financial account. Helen Morgan wa
doing the London season In a May
r fair drawing-room she sat. and besid
2 her was a man with a mOnocle, an Eng
r lish accent above reproach, and a patron
s izing air, OF course. the Morgan million
J. would mean the remantling OF his ances
D.: tral but crumbling castles. but then III
T. utter indifference of this girl irritate,
= him even while it commanded his admira
: ton.
7 suppose you saw Erskine In Paris
He's been the go over tnere-nade by IA
American set. I understand. They sa,
y it's his manners as muth as his art tha
S got the women all going. He neve
:. speaks during his performance and ha
y the most inscrutable eyes. Never coul
O understand why women went In SO heaV