Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-12-03
THE VILLAIN.

I
fancy of the patrons OF the house, and
the standing Room Only" sign had been
out night after night.
The manager sat in a box with two
fashionably dressed women. That they
were actresses was quite obvious.
THAT villain certainly looks villain
ous," observed the smaller of the two,
and smiled at her little joke.
Its wonder he doesn't buy a new
dress suit while mes throwing money
around so recklessly," Uttered the other.
The manager began to look closely at
the actors clothes, although he had seen
them many times before and they had
never looked Inappropriate or shabby to
him. The dress suit which the actor
wore looked all right from the body of
the house, but from the close view af-
forded by the stage box, it showed UNI
mistakable signs of service.
In the next act the villain wore a froek
coat, and as soon as he came on the
little actress began to laugh at the cut
of it.
Il think I'll fire him. said the man
ager; "he ought to dress better on his
salary"
How much does he get?" asked the
blonde
"Three pounds week." replied the
manager There's lots would Jump at
the chance to do it for less, and dress it
out of sight"
When the act was over the manager
went out to the box office and found the
business manager
Give that heavy man his two weeks
notice" he told him. 81 won't stand
the way he dresses that part any
longer"
The business manager looked a little
surprised but only replied:
Seems to me | have heard he has
sick wife"
well, I haven't got anything to do
with that" said his chief.
The villain went to his dressing room
and began to take off his makeup.
The stage manager knocked at his
door.
Got note for you, old chap" he
said
! The villain took the note and held it
in his hand for a moment. Finally. he
tore it open and read:
After two weeks your services will
be no longer required"
He read it over second time and
his hand shook and his lips quivered.
The stage door was in the rear of the
theater in side street
: Presently a man came out alone. He
babe the doorkeeper Good night" and
walked quickly to the corner, where he
stopped evidently to wait for a car. He
put his hand in his pocket as if to get
out his fare. His fingers touched a
crumpled piece of paper.
"Ill walk he said.
Although it was bitterly cold he wore
no overcoat After walking a little way
he turned up the lapels of his coat to
protect his chest from the cutting wind.
At the steps of a house in a street
composed almost entirely of cheap
boarding houses he stopped and took out
his latchkey.
81 won't tell her tonight" he muttered
lie assembled three flights of stairs and
stopped at a door, On the bed Law a
woman of about 25. Her face was
deathly pale and her hands looked al
which they lay. A smile lit up her face
as he entered!
I'm so glad you've come. dear she
| IaFS
since YOU went away
| And vet it has been only about four
hours" he said, as he kissed the thin,
white hand and then the pale lips and
cheek
THE time always drags when You are
away"
He sat down on the side of She he'd
and passed his hands over uer face
pushing back the hair from her forehead.
How do You feel tonight, dear?"
Better since you came"
did the doctor come ?" he asked,
Yes; and he is going to step in again
on his way home'
And what have you been thinking of
while | was at the theater."
What | always think of-you. and
how good you are to me-"
He kissed her again. and laid his cold
cheek against her hot one.
She sighed and then asked: "Any-
thing new at the theater?"
NO"
"Itll be fine if you have a long run
and don't have to go on the road for
some time, won't it?"
yes, indeed" he replied.
He got up and walked over to tk9
WINDOW ana thrustlng his hand into his
pocket, crushed a piece of paper into a
tight ball.
It's showing" he said, and returned
to his seat beside her.
And You haven't bought your over.
coat yet"
There was a moments silence and
when she spoke again her voice was
lower than before, and there were tears
in her eyes
L know why you didn't get it: IL
was because you couldn't spare the
money, after paying for the delicaeies
the doctor said ought to have
He bent over her and kissed the tear.
wet face AGAIN and again.
| You've talked enough for TONIGHT
don't you think you can sleep a little
lnowl The doctor will be hern airnoal.-