Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-08-14

not lift his eyes or pause for a reply.
For years and years and years | have
dreamed just one dream. only one
that some day l might produce a great
play. See how / worked" He swept
the manuscript into IN untidy heap,
There were thousands Of sheets. He
had written on paper like onion skin.
It looked like toil-one had a feeling
of years of toil-after a glance at the
laboriously interlined and reconstruct
ed sentences. Wentworth crushed ii
mercilessly into loose punches and be
gan to lay the pages by handfuls upon
the reyiving fire. A little fame climbed
up and kindled them into a wavering
blaze.
Here, here, Enoch, old fellow
cried Merry, "don't!" There was a
thrill of compassion in his voice. Say
don't-this is a wicked thing to do"
Wentworth paid no heed to him. He
gathered the sheets together with
quiet elaboration, crushing them as
one would crush some hated, despised
living thing, and burned them with
stolid satisfaction.
That funerals over" he said alb
ruptly. Now I'm in a mood for
business" He turned to his desk
Merry's eyes followed him. They were
dim with unspoken sympathy, but he
knew the man well enough not to put
it into words.
Wentworth pulled out his key-ring
opened a drawer, and took the slip Of
paper from the yellow envelope. He
stood staring at it for a moment. A
wave of crimson swept across his face
then his mouth Strengthened into q
cruel, inexorable line. Merry's eyes
were still fixed on him. Enoch did MOI
speak, but crossed the room with the
papef9in his hand and laid it on the
table beside Merry. Andrews eyes
took it in with n sweeping glance
it was the bond he had signed wheE
they played that last hand of poker.
DO you remember this?" asked
Wentworth abruptly.
"Of course. Say, old chap. whai
has that to do with u business? Oh
1 know" He lifted his eyes with 6
relieved glance. "Of course it's al
understood thing you're to run things
and as for money, Lord, | don't care
for money. Take all you want of it
It's fame my hearts set on; I've {
grand ambition and a thirst for great
ness-as l told you-but it runs il
only one direction; to win a name as
a dramatist, a name thai will live
when my capering days are over.
want a halo; not such an aureole a:
Shakespeare's," his eyes sparkled anG
q smile lighted his face, "but a halo
demand a halo. I'll be satisfied witt
nothing smaller than a cartwheel."
He rose and went ~prancing buoy
antly about the room on his toe tips
humming a fantastic waltz from "Tht
King at Large" Wentworth sat with
a grim, brooding look in his eyes. An
drew stopped to stare at him.
why so mum. sweet Sirrah?" hs
asked blithely.
Merry" Wentworth spoke in an ex
pressionless voice, read that bono
through-carefuily. Read it aloud"
The actor picked up the sheet O
paper and read it with dramatic ges
lures, bowling almost PROSTATE at eacf
pause.
To Enoch Wentworth.
hereby pledge myself to you unit
death-to do your every bidding-ts
obey your every demand-to the ex
tent of my physical and mental ahilit,
you to furnish me with support.
ANDREW MERRY.
He dropped lightly upon his knees i,
front Of Wentworth when he finished
81 await thine orders. most grave
and reverend seigneur." Then he lait
his fingers upon Wentworth's arm ant
looked up with an expectant smile.
4 (TO BE C~ONTINUED)