The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-11-19
It. How long have you known

ten It. How long have you known
F., this7'
Il have known IT," answered o..
wald quietly. "just as long as you
have"
Then I'm right" cried Singleton.
/ knew Merry was lying when he
stood there on the stage giving us
/ that bluff about Wentworth carrying
the secret for him. Merry wrote 1t all
right l might have guessed 1t Iona
ago. say, do you know there's a
devil OF big story back of all that?
Oswald's face grew stern.
You see / know both Of the mel
so well" went on Singleton eagerly
why, they were a regular David anc
Jonathan pair ever since / met then
first. Enoch was forever setting Merr!
on his pins. The actor would go of
Heaven knows where, throw over
part. and drop off the edge of thu
world. l don't believe he dissipatet
exactly; he simply tossed his none,
away and went downhill. Wentworth
would hunt him up and drag him bach
where he belonged. He Strengthened
up suddenly when he began TO play
John Esterbrook.' You can't even
pull him into a poker game now. J
guess | took the winnings at the last
game he stood in for. That night
had great mind to hand the money
back to him. We said 'Good-by' about
daylight. He looked pessimistic and
glum. No, he wasn't glum either;
Merry never gets glum. He had
down-and-c4s, 't-give-a-damn ex
preston that morning l can see him
yet. Suddenly he disappeared again
When he came back Wentworth and
he cut each other dead. That Paget
woman affair began. then Wentworth
saved Merry's life. Why, it's a ire
mendous story"
Oswald turned abruptly. Something
In his quiet gaze made Singleton Shift
his eyes with start of guilt. Il want
to say word to you," the English.
mans voice was stern, land | want
you to repeat what l say to every man
in your fraternity. There may be a
big story somewhere behind this
cannot tell If there is, if an enmity
or a misunderstanding did exist, II
there was wrong done, or if anything
lies behind these two men which we
do not comprehend, leave it to them
They have buried it. Don't turn
ghoul." he pleaded. "and dig 1t up.
simply to make curious. heartless
world buy your paper for a day or
two. l am told there Is a bond be-
tween newspaper men, like warm
hearted brotherhood. Wentworth be-
longed to that brotherhood he does
yet-remember that"
Singleton stretched out his hand
with an impulsive gesture. Thank
you, Mr.. Oswald. You're a good deal
of a man. l never knew you before.
We all need jog on the elbow once
in while. A newspaper man grows
buzzard when story is In the air
He forgets how the other fellow feels.
I'll pass the word around. / can prom
Use you that not man among us will
do anything but take Merry's word for
it, His confession IL big story In
ITSELF"
Thank you," said Oswald with a
cordially which few men had seen
in the dignified Englishman.
He stood talking with a group who
gathered about him at the close of
the play. eager as Singleton had been
to discuss Merry's dramatic confess
sion. when an usher interrupted them.
mr.. Oswald. you're wanted back of
the scenes" said the COY.
Under the white glare Of electricity
a little group stood on the balf-dis
mantled stage. The people in the cast
were there-property men, the call
boy, electricians, ushers, and the
humblest employe of the house. The
actors still wore their stage garb and
makeup. Dorcas' hand was linked In
her brothers arm. For a moment Os.
valid stood watching her. Her face
was flushed, her eyes shone. she
seemed traEsfigured by happiness.
Merry stretched out q welcoming
hand to Oswald We've been waiting