The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-09-03
CHAPTER VII.
Merry Disappears.

Suddenly, as IL the earth mad SWal-
lowed him. Merry disappeared. A
week passed. Grant Oswald, In q
fever of enthusiasm, had begun prepa-
rations for a Broadway production.
He turned vast amount of RESPONSE
bility over to Wentworth, who shout
dered it thankfully. 1t kept at arms
length the possibility Of dwelling
much with his own thoughts: they
were not cheerful company, and he
was racked by constant anxiety about
ment to spare when he could go into
the highways and byways of a great
city to search, as he had searched be-
fore when the man was his friend
He could not delegate the task to
another. He had prepared tale for
the public of Merry's whereabouts
Oswald believed the actor was study
ing his part and stood ready to appear
at a moments notice. Enoch went
ahead with the tremendous load Of de-
tail that fen upon him, toiling day and
night, while his mind alternated be-
tween terror and hope
Every day the man was acquiring
traits new to his nature. When a
strange accident had tossed before
him the possibility of satisfying his
dearest ambition, conscience entreat-
ed loudly against the theft Of another
mans life-work. Every noble instinct
in Enoch made its appeal; his honesty.
hi fvn fn 10y, mr.
fair play, the love of his sister and
friend, all cried aloud to him dur
ing the lonely hours OF the night.
There had been moments when he
would have gladly retraced his steps.
but the die had been cast. He was
like racer who, by some treacherous
ruse, had pushed aside an opponent
and was close to the goal. The intoxi-
cation of applause was beginning to
sound in his ears and the future held
untold possibilities. It was too late
to turn back; 1t would mean the down
fall. of great ambitions and bitter
shame-it might even mean crime. 1t
seemed easier to take the chances.
Occasionally Andrews logged face
flashed back to his memory when he
cried, II will see what the law can
do to protect a man from theft
Enoch felt his face blanch at the
thought of 1t. Many man had gone
down and out for crime less knavish
than this. But he knew Andrew Merry
well. and he trusted to one fruit which,
was predominant in the inan-his
queer, exaggerated idea of aCnor.
Day by day his conscience quieted
down. self-confidence took the place of
wavering, and the fear of exposure
seemed to recede At last he could
look the situation In the face without
f1inching. The task of putting on
theatrical production began to absorb
him completely. He had always
longed for such chance: he had been
storing away ideas he could now utt-
lize, besides he knew New York thor
oughly, and he had observed for years
the system of producing a play. OS.
valid looked on with appreciation al
Enoch put his plans into shape. He
knew how uncommon was the comhs-
nation of such talents In the samA
mantle ability to write virile play.
then to stage it with practical skiM
and artistic feeling and originality. 4
remarkably strong company was en-.
gagged. Oswald insisted on filling even
the smallest parts with people far
above the level of subordinate actors.
The salary list grew to stupendoua
figures. One morning Wentworth re-
monstratad against paying one hun
dred dollars a week to an actor whU
was to play the janitor.
"Breen Is far bigger man than you
need" he objected. HE has played
leads to many Of the biggest stars.
We need mere bit of character work
in this-he isn't on the stage half an
hour. can get first-rate man for
half that price,"
''Breen can make the janitor so true
to life that the audience will regret
seeing him for only half an hour" O.
valid rejoined. That's tbe test Sa
quality. When l pay hrldred dol
lars | want hundred-dollar man."
(TO BE CONTINuIO