The Washington herald., 1910-11-23

BOhEIlidn HtNittt " ~ iiidtiy
celebrities belonged.
Apart from the members" Mabel
said, breathlessly, there are only three
paid turns, and we're one of them. Isn't
1t splendid? 1t will mean West End
shop certain. If it all goes we'll All the
theatrical journalists viii be there. and
most OF the managers OF the halls"
'Tcpping. darIing!" said Horatio, quite
carried away by the girls enthusiasm,
and forgetting all the little set speeches
he had made up IN the cab. "Splendidl
And I've got news. too. Better than yours
even. Hurry up and get your things
ready, and we can be married this day
month";
Mabel gave a shrek. s"what is it?'
she shouted Tell mel Tell me, quicki"
i've got a theater! A two years
certain contract with Solomon himself,
and every chance Of promotion at the end
OF 1t. In me. fair maiden, you behold the
new director of the Crown Theater,
Hackney. who enters upon his duties this
very nighti'
At that moment Miss Gertie Churchill
came dancing into the room, and the
news was told her.
WELL" she said. her pretty face BEAM
ing with congratnlation. things are hum
ming. and no mistake Pity It isn't a
hall. Horatio, then you could give me a
chance.
obi yours viii come soon, GertIe The
famiIy's struck the vel right and good.
We're all going to be stars now I expect
you and Mabel will knock them silly to-
night"
"ohl Mabers told you. then Isn't IL a
chance? / wish you were going to be
there
"ohi I wish you could. old boy Mabel
chimed In. us It absolutely necessary
for you to take up the management OF
the Crown to-nlght?'
I'm afraid II is. Mabel dear" Wilson
replied. Il told Solomon that I preferred
TO do so, and he seemed pleased. can't
go back on my word now. II would be
making a bad start. or course, II I'd
known OF this show of yours tonight I'd
have cried Of. / know a good many
members OF the Peculiar Club. l could
easily have got a card. I'm sure"
"Well. it's TO use crying over split
milk, Mabel said, philosophicslly. "and
IL isn't much 10 grumble about. consider
ing everything. What time VIII you be
finishedT'
II can't exactly say. dear" Horatio
answered; fairly late. / expect Therel II
be a LOT 10 see 20 on my first night down
there The show viii be over little be-
fore II; but / may be half an hour after
that"
"Ohl that's not so bad" Gertie said. cot
course. you won't be IN time-or I expect
MOTTO see our show; but YOU can come
10 the cluD and fetch us. TIN be a very
late affair. They don't sit down TO sup
per till II. because a lot OF the boys are
playing al the different theaters We
shan't get home TIL morning, ] expect.
In fact. We are going 10 have a sleep till
about 9-after tea"
III tell you what I'll do" the actor
said. suddenly: ITS worth the extra ex-
pense on an occasion Ike this. I'll get
through nay work as quickly as can.
and I'll have a taxicab waiting. That
ought TO bring me 20 the club door little
after midnight I may still be in time
for your show II not, then can take
you home and hear ali about II, at any
rate"
shortly after Mr. Wilson babe the girls
goodbye, and, IN the highest possible
spirits, sought the Strand and Mime lane
for an hour before setting out for Hack
ney
In the haunts Of the mummers he tasted
to the fun the joys of his new position.
In the Bodega and Rules, those informal
clubs of the rank and file of the stage. he
enjoyed a triumph, He was a popular
man. ever ready TO help a brother in dis
tress, and was known to every one. The
warm-hearted actors crowded round him
with their congratulations. and II he had
accepted a tenth part Of the liquid re-
freshment that he was pressed 10 take. il
is highly probable that the Crown Theater
would never have seen him at all that
night
But the young mans head was very
firmly screwed upon his shoulders-Mr.
solomon never left anything TO chance.
and chose his men with discrimination
and again and again he reiterated
Thanks, not now, old boy; another
time" in answer 10 the frequent Just
one with me 20 celebrate the occasion"
He broke away at last, and went to the
bed-sitting-room he occupied in a quiet
street of the Strand, where he changed
into evening clothes. Il really must run
10 fur coat this winter" he thought.
Proper thing for the manager. Can't do
without it, in fact I wonder what's the
cheapest I could get one for. Old Solomon
ought 70 provide them. by Jovel''
Wilson arrived at the theater about a
quarter TO seven. and was greeted in the
foyer by the assistant manager with
great empressement. The tall commits
sionaire at the entrance saluted him; the
clerk in the box Office called hin "Sir" in
an anxious voice; and even the pert girl
attendants with their sheaves of pro-
grammes giggled and tossed their heads
no longer as he passed by, but cast down
their eyes and tried to look innocent and
modest for once.
1t was the same upon the stage The
stage manager for the touring company
that was occupying the boards of the
theater that week-a man whom Wilson
knew slightly-shOok hands with him eff
fusively The great Mr.. Smell himself,
who was making up In the star dressing
room, called him dear old boy and prof
fered champagne; and as for the carpen-
tiers and scene shutters. they ran about
like busy ants as they set the opening
scene of the comedy under the eye of the
new chief
1t was all eminently fattering and SAT-
isfactory, and Wilson felt at least. two
inches taller, and began instinctively to
speak with certain brusqueness, a ring
OF command IN his voice.
When he had been all over the theater.