Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-17


had polished off his half of the beefsteak eaten two
large Spanish onions and drank couple of tankards
of stout with every symptom of pleasure. He
engaged upon the cheese.
The chief comedian however, sat upon the other
side of the table, his plate untouched and his dro
vsage heightened in VICE. which, if it was comic to be-
hold by of his facial gifts the less sim
and real
"Oh no." he saying. Il don't for moment
to imply that she wasn't everything that nice
and kind She called Billy, usual, all the way
through. Thats-thats what hurt So confound !" he
concluded, with break in his voice which he strove
to hide in the pewter pot which stood by his side.
She didn't actually refuse you, then. in so many
words?" asked Mr.. Durrant.
NO." replied Mr.. Woopledorf, "but I'm afraid what
she said tantamount that. You know, Muriel is
most romantic girl her head is full of noble thoughts
and ideals, and all that"
$50 I've observed" said Mr.. Durrant, drily
Its a COMPOUNDED nuisance" returned the poor
comedian Things like that all very well in story
books and during the show, and the pit and the gallery
rise at EN-, but in real life they're both unnecessary
awkward; and when girl gets them into her head
there's the very deuce pay"
There is, replied Mr.. Durrant cutting another slice
of cheese
"Well, you know" Woopedorf went on, "she kept
saying that the man she could love must have done
somethng-done something for his country. We'll,
dear, L replied, haven't made the whole of England
laugh? Isn't that doing something for the country?'
oh, you don't understand Bit she answered,
though, matter of fact, understood her perfectly
WELL You materiastic. The could love
and honor be who has done noble deeds-a
man of courage, whom nothing frghtens, leader
among men, fighter strong man.. L could lift
hundredweight myself, said, and for being fright
ened, l don't suppose | am any more a coward than
most men, my dear 1t was CO. Bob, my boy; she
didn't to it; and she had got that silly far
away look in her eyes with which there is arguing
at all | knew all the time she thinking of that,
that"
THAT Trant!" said Mr. Durrant, putting down his
knife and leaning back in his chair 'You couldn't call
him any name, Bill"
''Well, all I say is" Mr.. Woopledorf returned
with ciohf that half
of hero and she marries it, he'll be hero enough
live her salary for the of his life and beat her
till she runs away with else"
She won't marry Trant my dear Bill"
I'm deadly sick and afraid that she will Bob" said
Mr. Woopledorf getting up from his untouched supper
and beginning to pace the room with long and ag
tated strides.
"Not she," replied the younger man. "Now look
here old man, you off to bye-bye and leave alone
I'm going to think somthing I've got idea that
| can help YOU don't generally make bloomer when
l sit down to plan anything, do ?"
Mr. Woopledorf looked hopefully at his friend. Give
rever known you do it yet old SPORT, he said "And
oh, if you could only help me"
Emotion strangled his further utterance. and with
mumbled "Good-night' he left the room, and could
be heard stumbling heavily upstairs to bed.
The next morning at o'clock, somewhat early for
him, for he a lover of bed, Mr. Durrant stroled
out of Paradise place. wearing cap, and with his
usual pipe stuck in the of his mouth He walked
toward the theatre by succession of side Streets until
he came to the gateway of news, over which
the legend Jackson Bait and Livery Stables" some
hundred yards from the stage door of the Queens
Entering the yard he stroled down it until he found
ostler cleaning carriage and kissing like escape
of gas during the operation
Where the theatre horses, please?" said Mr..
Durrant
The jerked with his thumb toward the further
corner of the yard door No. 8, SIR he replied; "and
their groom's with 'em now"
Mr.. Durrant nodded, walked toward Door No g.
pulled it open and found himself in roomy stable
consisting of two loose boxes and large STALL
Ocust the groom, who, together with boy tended
the horses of the 20 Life of Sport company was giving
the three animals their morning food He was an odl
little man, who looked if he made entirely of
leather, as far his body went, and had lump of
cunning for mind He mad been in circuses theatres
and shows ali and oh; cLa