The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-04-07
EMMlE LOUIS
MUSkETEER
BY PHI. slMMs

Emmie Lou was all right until the
Fenton stock company came to the
opera house. After that certain
GOODNESS srrang up between her and
Alpheus Boggs. and It was even said
the engagement had been broken of.
Alpheus never had been accused of
being handsome. Also he had bunions
and big feet, and clerked in a hard
ware store.
Lonsdale Won Ruville was different
sort Of person. His feet were small
and bunionless, while his eyes seemed
made for love glances and flashing de.
fiance at those who would oppose him.
He was leading man with the Fenton
Stock.
Ernie Lou was entranced. Every day
she watched him. How he could fight.
How bravely he met all corners with
his slender sword, and how easily he
vanquished them all!
One day Bette Scruggins remarked
In Emmfe Louis presence that she had
heard 1t said play-actors were very de.
ceiving. But Emmie Lou merely
shifted.
But with the Fenton Stock was one
woman who agreed with Bette. and
she little timid creature who played
"A Villager.' or First Voice." was in
private life none other than Mrs. Ions
dale Won Ruville. or, to be more exact,
Mrs. Ebenezer Rumph, which was the
leading mans other name,
She knew what it was to go days
without kind word: what it meant to
feel the weight of his fist upon her;
what it meant to be ignored, sneered
at. forsaken.
Miss Janet Rannie, leading woman,
pretty and blonde, was the wife of the
heavy, Thomas Ragsdale, most popu-
lar man in the cast, and whose name
of the stage was Dennis O'Hagan.
Lonsda!e was sweet as pie on Miss
Rannie and made no bohes of it. Miss
Rannie laughed at him. Thomas
looked on but said nothing, trusting
implicitly in his pretty wife.
1t was the last week of the engage
ment, and D'Artagnan was being given
the bravest Interpretation he'd ever en-
joyed. Lonsdale was his handsomest
and the women in front were calling
him all the dear names in the categ-
DRY. Emie Lou had shaken hands with
him the day before at the aftermath
nee reception on the stage, and out
In front was now in momentary dan
ger of taking wings and flying right
into the air in sheer happiness.
The applause was deafening when
the curtain went down. In darkened
corner of the stage Lonsdale met Miss
Rannie. He caught her by the wrist.
you've played with me long
enough" he whispered holly into her
ear. You don't care for that chump
husband of yours! YOU"
"Brute!" Miss Rannie cried, and
tore herself from his embrace as the
stage manager came up.
The great duel scene was drawing
nigh. The audience was holding its
breath in anticipation. How D'Artag-
nan would face them and Stay them
one by one.
When, just before he took his cue,
the stage manager whispered some.
thing into Ragsdale's ear, he became
livid, then purple
With bewitching smile Lonsdale
crossed swords with the heavy. The
first stroke and parry sent thrill
through the audience and likewise
through Dennis o'Hagan. for the
heavy" was not the actor, Thomas
Ragsdale, any more.
You pupry!" he cried, loud enough
to be heard in the street, you would
insult my wife, would you, you
whelp!"
And with that he grabbed Lonsdale
Won Ruville by the nape of the neck
and with the fiat side of his sword
figuratively caned the leading man
into FRAGILE.
Take i'm of! Take i'm OFF,"
bawled Won Ruville in terror, dropping
his sword. Hes killing met"
He fell to his knees in AFFECT fear,
and O'Hagan's musketeer boots start.
ed tattoo on his back that lasted as
far as the stage door. Then the cur
tain fell, with the audience roaring.
Just as matters had been adjusted
back Of the footlights, SO had they out
in front Everybody came to set
things in their right light.