The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-04-19
ESTABLISHED 1875

that her lover had really robbed a
man for her sake, was in agony. Not
only would he be sent to the peniten-
tiary, but this disgrace at being march
ed on to the stage in the presence Of
| an audience among whom were nearly
all the friends he possessed was horri-
BILE and would kill any sensitive man.
Josselyn gave one look at the girl; but.
seeing that she was suffering mex
pressible torture. his face broke into
a smile.
Many of the audience were deceived,
so realistically had the scheme been
carried out, and for q moment believed
that the man before them had commit
ted the robbery in which he had been
caught But Josselyn's smile made it
apparent that the crime was part of
the performance. There was a fresh
outburst of shouting this time accom-
panied by a thunder Of applause.
by Jove," exclaimed one of the au-
dience, that's the best stage gag ]
ever saw! It's enough to make a sue
cess of dead failure"
manager whispered to Josselyn.
This means 300 night rum" NUT
tered the manager, with a chuckle.
Speech cried the audience with
one voice
The policemen released the arms Of
the prisoner, and, with the bracelets
still on his wrists. he stepped forward
and said:
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you
from the bottom of my heart for your
sympathy
"You don't need it: you've made a
hitP' interrupted voice.
''This is a hard world" continued
the playwright For what we desire
we must make great sacrifices. | have
made guy of myself tonight for an
object near to my heart-an Object
"a hundred thousand in royaltiesw
interrupted another voice.
SHUT upr' cried one who wished to
hear the speech.
Meanwhile Josselyn stood looking at
the girl for whose sake he had made
guy of himself with a look of humor-
ONS tAA0AiPh LIS GJ DuG OICW d
long breath Of relief, and gradually an
unwilling though radiant smile forced
itself over her features. When silence
was restored he concluded his speech
by stating that the object of his life
had been to write a successful play,
and this hearts desire had been ac-
complished. Then, thanking them for
their appreciation, he bowed, retired,
the curtain was rung down, and when
1t was raised again it was upon the
first scene of the third act
Josselyn had "lzilled two birds with
one stone" He had kept his contract
with Miss Sweetland and had insured
the success of his play. Everybody
knows that play depends upon its
start. The first night is immensely
important. By his robbery the author
had put his audience In good humor
for the third act, the crucial point of
play The consequence was that,
while he noticed several defects in it,
which he corrected the next day. the
audience pronounced it perfect.
Josselyn returned to his box. He
found Miss Sweetland sitting behind
curtain and took a seat beside her.
notwithstanding the fact that all eyes
were upon him, beneath the balcony
that concealed him from his chest
downward he felt soft hand stealing
into his. His face broke into charm
ing smile, and the audience. taking it
to itself, gave three hearty cheers for
the playwright
When the curtain went dGwn on the
third act If there had been any doubts
that the play would be a success they
had disappeared. The next morning
the dreaded critics all gave favorable
notices, and from that time for months
the box Office was crowded.
While Mr.. Josselyn and Miss Sweet
land were riding to her home she said
to him:
II am very sorry that / should have
put you to SO much trouble. I'm not
worth It."
Indeed you are. sweetheart. But,
instead of putting me to trouble you
gave me brilliant idea that will in
cure the success of my play, establish
me as a playwright and make my for
tune"
Which, suppose, shall share. 1t
Isn't every girl that is SO well paid foE
her folly"