The Elbert County tribune., 1915-02-12

lid and the red scar cut lividly across
his forehead A stiffness fell upon
the house. 1t seemed to Oswald as
If the people waited intently for some
unusual event
Enoch Wentworth raised his hand
with gesture which was strangely
dramatic for a man who was neither
an actor nor an orator. Like flash
Oswald remembered a day when he
sat watching prisoner at the bar.
The man had been condemned to
death; a moment later, with stified
cry Of terror, he stretched out his
arm for mercy and sympathy.
Ladies and gentlemen" Went.
worth began, In voice which was
low, but SO marvelously distinct that
each syllable carried to the farthest
seat in the house. this is not a curtain
speech-you have not called me be-
fore the footlights tonight; it is an
explapation. 1t is a-confession."
Enoch paused as II mastering
strength to go through an ordeal He
felt the curious scrutiny of thou
sand eyes. 1T is confession" he re-
peated slowly. "a confession which has
been long delayed"
He never finished his sentence.
Merry stepped forward and laid his
hand upon the mans arm with e cling
ing grasp which was full of affection,
even while it pushed Wentworth aside.
Allow me-" Then he laughed.
Good people. one and all, who have
SO long been friends of mine. this ia
my confession. late in the day, as my
friend Wentworth suggests, but it is
mine. He was simply breaking the
news to you that wrote The House
of Esterbrook.'
He hesitated for a 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 a moment of hush, then applause,
1t subsided slowly. During the tu.
multi 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.
I'VE have saved this confession
ladies and gentlemen" he began grave
ly, mot to create a sensation or to
further advertise the play, but each
one of you must realize how the pub
lie dis.rusts jack-of-all-trades Many
of you doubted the ability of Merry
Andrew to touch human emotion ever
so 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
IL you had known that this same Merry
Andrew was the author of the play1
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 a 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 has carried The House
of Eastabrook' to success"
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 footlights men and women
realized vaguely, through the strange
human insight we call intuition. that
another drama was being played be