The Washington herald., 1910-11-23

man OF the Suburban IheaterS company,
Ltd, everything is arranged, and you
will be in sole charge OF the Crown
Theater from this time forward. I know
you'll do your best for the company, Mr.
wilson
Mr.. Horatio Wilson bowed 81 shall
do my very best. sir" he answered;
you may rely upon It, I haven't been
knocking about the provinces for ten
years as an acting manager in number
two towns without knowing when a good
thing comes my way at last Not much!"
well, of course" said Mr.. Solomon,
genially, 1T is certainly rise in the
profession. and TO manage a big subur-
ban theater with success leads 10 even
greater promotion. The company con-
trolls four West End theaters. and don't
you forget It, dear boy. You've signed
the contract That's all o. K. and
here's your copy. Have a cigar and
something 10 wet the deal"
Outside in Shaftesbury avenue the rain
was falling with steady persistency. and
London was as grim and dismal as may
be upon a soaking autumn afternoon.
But the private ONCE OF that theatrical
emperor. Mr.. Ben Solomon, was warm
and luxurious A bright fire of logs
burned in the CRATE. the chairs were
padded with crimson leather and fitted
themselves comfortably to the curves and
angles Of the figure; the carpet was soft
and thick. while dozens OF stage beauties
looked down in Photographic splendor
from the walls.
Mr. Solomon. tall, portly, and hand
some. went TO cupboard and took from
j. a bottle, the neck of which was
wrapped in gold foil. and couple Of
glasses. As the wine creamed out the
freight sparkled in the facets of the
enormous diamond ring he wore upon
the little finger Of his left hand.
Horatio Wilson, thirty-five. clean
shaver. and with a typical actors face,
registered an inward vow that some day
he too, would sport just such another
ring as the great man was wearing.
"Then you'll go down 10 the theater
tonight" asked Mr.. Solomon
Il think It would be best 10 take charge
tonight" answered the new manager.
There IS no reason TO wait until TO-
morrow. even though you've given me
the post so suddenly. I suppose the
theater stan known"
They knew first thing this morning, "
said MI Solomon. Very we'll go down
tonight After all. there's nothing like
getting into harness at the earliest pos
sible moment Well. so long. Remember,
do well for me and I'll do well for you"
As Wilson descended the steps from the
office, smoking the excellent cigar which
Mr.. Solomon had given him, he knew
himself 10 be one Of the happiest men
in London at that moment. What did It
matter II London was wet and dreary ?
The sunshine in his heart irraGiated
everything. and everything was brighter
than a brilliant afternoon in June. After
long years of drudgery. lack OF recogni-
ton. poverty even, he had suddenly been
discovered by some Of the watchful
agents OF the great company. Unknown
20 himself, his work had been carefully
noted, his record inquired into. And
then, hey presto! a sudden summons to
the headquarters in Shaftesbury avenue.
a few words from the great Solomon.
and he stood. for the first time IN his
professional career. upon solid rock.
AT this very moment. as he turned into
Piccadilly Circus he was no longer a
touring actor and manager for someone
else. a mere second-in-command. q seFv-
ant liable to be dismissed at a fort
nights notice. Under the Suburban The
ter Company. he was the sole manager
OF the great Crown Theater at Hackney.
A large staff was under his entire con
troll, and within the four walls of the
well known house he was absolute king.
Il lie saw himself. in a few hours. standing
In the foyer in Respondent evening dress
with an eye on the box Office, counting
the house from an empty box. receiving
local pressmen courteously in hts private
room. or str0lling round behind 10 have
chat with the we'll known comedian
who was playing at the Crown Theater
that week 1t was a blissful vision, and,
better than all, il was no dream, but a
vision which. in a few hours. must auto
matically come true. Yes, there could
be few happier men in London at that
moment and the greatest reason of all
for joy Way-MabelI
Mr.. HoratiO Wilson hailed a taxicab.
Drive 10 100 Theater street, Remington
road" he said. He was going to Mabel
now; he had promised 10 have tea with
her and her sister Gertie yesterday. But
that was before he had found Mr.. Solo
mons letter. marked urgent" waiting
for him at the Actors Association.
a. 4
good fortune. She didn't know that now
there was nothing in the world to pre-
vent her immediate marriage to him.
Here was a situation after an actor,
own heart, and even as the cab drew ur
at the door Of the sisters lodging Ho-
ratio Wilson was mentally renearsing
his part and arranging the scene TO come
Mabel and Gerue Churchill were come
diennes. and did a springhtly song and
dance turn at the lesser music halls.
They were exceedingly popular with their
audiences, and both ardently hoped for
an engagement in the West End OF Lon
don. They were charming giTls-cheerful.
Woodworking, economical, and steady
and they intended 10 get married at the
first possible opportunity. Mabel had now
promised herself to Wilson for nearly
two years; but both of them had prudent
instincts and resolved TO wait until they
we're in a decent position to marry and
set up home, and had accumulated
something in the bank against rainy
day
Horatio dismissed his cab. rang the bell,
and was admitted at once. Mabel was
alone. seated at a little piano. and trying
over a song as her lover entered, while
the tea-table was drawn eozily up TO the
fire and a plate of mullins kept warm in