Evening star., 1909-03-07

ing next to the theater. There, standing on
the edge, with an arm around Clytie. was the
Doc He took off his plug hat as the crowd
cheered. and bowed several times, smiling very
kindly and seeming to EN- JOY the attention he
was getting.
He started in to make speech; but there
was SO much excitement that he couldn't be
heard. SO he drew Clytie back with him. and
they disappeared In a minute two they
came down a stairway that led from the upper
part of the building to the street.
A FTER We had returned to the hotel. our
people told him what had done, and he
patted ME kindly on the shoulder, saving:
Zachariah. you are hero. l am proud to
have you as my manager We must not per
init our opportunity to pass unheeded. Come
with me" -..
We returned to where the fire was burning
itself out. and the people had by that time
quieted down enough to listen to him
Friends, he said I'VE have been deprived
of the chance to present for your pleasure and
edihcation that sterling and splendid drama
Monte Cristo: but propose to entertain you
this evening in another way. You have doubt
less heard of the renowned Professor Cogliostro
F. r. G., PHI NJ. LII. D.. K. B. c. His fame is
worldwide. Crowned heads have marveled at
his powers Scientists have hailed him as the
greatest marvel OF the age. He stands before
you. 1t is my intention, gents and ladies If
there any present, to delight you this even
ing with an exhibition of hypnotSm, legerde
main, second sight reading, con- uring. and Spir-
itualistic manifestations, such as it has never
been and never in the future may be your priv
lege to witness.
He went on with lot more lingo about his
being the seventh son of a seventh son and the
direct descendant of Mahatma. and wound up
by asking If there was another hall of any kind
in town and how he could get the of it. 1t
happened that there was an empty store where
some Mormons had been trying to start a
branch of their church, and the owner of it, who
was there in the crowd. offered to let the Doc
have it at a low rate.
The wizard jumped at the chance, and we
hurried away to get it fixed up for the perform
ance. There wasn't much to do platform
had been put in at one end and it was filled
with seats; SO by stringing curtain across one
corner 1t was ready
A N hour or SO before the performance was to
lslng him percentage of the receipts. to stand
in front of the hall and pound on dishpan.
stopping every little while to tell the people
about the show Everybody y in town was inter
ested in us. and nobody had any doubt that
we'd have a full house, even though the Doc
had made the price of admission pretty stiff
Clytie had gone to her room Immediately
after the fire. with orders from the wizard to
stay there till he sent for her After we had
made arrangements for the performance in the
evening, We went back to the hotel and the
Doc said
Remain here Zachariah while retire to
prepare nySel1 1Or tfle wonders tnat am TO un-
fold to the astonished popuace. You have
served me well Iregard your managerial pow
extraordinary You are destined for
great career l am sorry that have not had
time to teach you the art of eating fire. 1t
would, in view of what has happened. make
splendid diversion for tonight"
II E went away rubbing his hat with his sleeve.
- and | sat down in the little parlor to rest
and think things over had been leaning back
with my eyes closed for quite awhile. when |
felt hand touch my arm. and. looking up. |
saw Clytie. She had closed the door behind
her. and looked at me in way that made my
heart beat SO hard l could almost hear it.
don't know how it happened. but somehow my
arm got around her. and she sat down beside me
We must leave them tonight" !" she whis-
pered. g | am sick of all this! Take me away
from them | can't stand it any longer
6 Do you mean the Monte Cristo people,"
asked.
'All of them-everybody y-but you"
Your father too9
Yes. l am ready to go l don't believe he is
my father. l have always had doubts: but |
have been with him ever since can remember
1t doesn't matter. l heard you calling this
afternoon, when you thought 1 was being
burned up He would
not let me answer.
l know all that you
H. I/)/A> did"