Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-08-05


 so long been friends of mine, this is my confession, late in the day, as my friend Wentworth suggests, but 1t is mine. He was simply breaking the news to you that l wrote The House of Esterbrook.'
 He hesitated for moment. then Enoch touched his arm as if in pro. test. Merry smiled and gently put him aside. A whisper of startled sur prise ran through the house, followed by moment of hush, then applause. It subsided slowly During the tu- mutt men and women who kept their eyes upon the stage saw Wentworth turn as if pleading vehemently. Merry answered with few decisive words, then he stepped down to the foot lights.
 We have saved this confession, ladies and gentlemen he began grave ly, mot to create sensation or to further advertise the play, but each one of you must realize how the pub lie distruste jack-of-all-trades. Many of you doubted the ability of Merry Andrew to touch human emotion ever 90 lightly, and came that first night with eager curiosity to see him in the character of John Esterbrook.' How much more would you have hesitated if you had known that this same Merry Andrew was the author of the play? Hence the secret, to deceive you until an honest verdict had been rendered. Tonight l release my friend Enoch Wentworth from the role he has car ried for ten months. l also wish, be- fore you, to acknowledge large in- debtedness to him. For years he has been the truest friend a man ever had. He has believed in me, encour- aged me, and to his untiring labor you are indebted for much of the perfect detail which which carried The House of Eastabrook' to success. He has helped me in the dark hours when success in my profession seemed to be something I could never achieve When have been dragged down by the devils of despair his was the hand that lifted me up and with kindly deeds and encouraging words has kept me striving for the place which at last seems to be not entirely out of reach lneed not speak of his last great proof of his friendship for me, you all know how he almost lost his life in saving me from almost certain death. Good people, l owe much to Enoch Went worth, and it is 8 great pleasure to acknowledge it in this public manner"
 The audience saw Wentworth stare as if in utter amazement when Merry began his confession Then his eyes grew: misty. and when the young actor turned to him with an, affectionate smile, he gripped the hand held out to him as man does when he can not put love or gratitude into words. Across the fo0tlights men and women realized vaguely, through the strange human insight we call intuition, that another drama was being played be- fore their eyes; a life-and-blood drama, where the feelings of strong men were deeply stirred.
 Good Lord!" said Singleton.
 Oswald turned with start as if he had been aroused from sleep. The newspaper man stood at his elbow with look of blank astonishment in his eyes. It passed quickly, however; he was trained newspaper man, all his news instincts were aroused he was on the track of story. Here was something he must get to the bottom of He scented mystery and was i'm mediately on the alert for anything that might give him clew to start on. His paper must have this big story. 1t was big, he was sure of that He turned suddenly to the man at his side.
 Whats back of all that?" he asked. ''I can understand that Merry wrote the play, I've known Enoch Went worth for years. and I was never SO staggered in my life as the first night when saw The House of Ester brook Iwent to the oflice afterwards to write. my stun and sat for ten minatte--dumb. stupid-trying to ng- ure out how wentworth. the Enoch Wentworth knew. could have writ ten 1t. How long have you known thisY"
 T hays known it." ansvered Os. wald quietly. -just e long as you have"
 Then I'm nsht." cried Singleton. i"I knew Merry was lying when he stood there ca the stage giving us that bluR about Wentworth carrying the'secret for him. Merry wrote 1t all right. l might have guessed 1t long ago. l say. do you know there's . devil of biz story back of all that?"
 Oswald's face grew stern.
 You see I know both of the men 70 well.' went on Singleton eagerly. Why, they were . regular David and Jonathan pair ever since met them frst. Enoch was forever setting Merry on his pins. The actor would so on Heaven knows where. throw over [ part, and drop off the edge of the world. don't believe he dissipatet exactly; he simply tossed. his money away and went downhill. Wentworth q t.s vA ho n1