The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-02-06

man stood at his elbow
with a look of blank astonishmer: in
his eyes.
What's back of all that" he asked.
Il can understand that Merry wrote
the play, I've known Enoch Went
worth for years, and l was never 80
staggered in my life as the first night
when / saw The House of Ester
brook went to the Office afterwards
to write my stuff and l sat for ten
minutes-dumb. stupid-trying to fig
ure out how Wentworth. the Enoch
Wentworth l knew, could have writ
ten it. How long have you known
this"
Il have known it," answered Os-
wald quietly. Just as long as you
have"
Then I'm right" cried Singleton.
Il knew Merry was lying when he
stood there on the stage giving us
that bluff about Wentworth carrying
the secret for him. Merry wrote it all
right. ! might have guessed it long
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 men
so WELL" went on Singleton eagerly.
Why. they were a regular David and
Jonathan pair ever since met them
first Enoch was forever setting Merry
on his pins. The actor would go of.
Heaven knows where, throw over
part, and drop off the edge of the
world | don't believe he dissipated
exactly; he simply tossed his money
away and went downhill. Wentworth
would hunt him up and drag him back
where he belonged. He Strengthened
up suddenly when he began TO play
John Esterhrook, You cant even
pull him into poker game now.
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.out, dout-g t-give-adamn ex
preston that morning | can see him
yet suddenly he disappeared again
When he came back Wentworth and
woman affair began. then Wentworth
saved Merrys life. Why. it's tire
mendous story"
Oswald turned abruptly. Something
in his quiet gaze made Singleton shift
his eyes with a start OF guilt. Il want
to say word to you the English
mans voice was stern and | want
you to repeat what | say to every man
in your fraternity There may be
big story somewhere behind this-f
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 it up,
simply to make curious, heartless
world buy your paper for day or
two | am told there is 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 mar. | never knew you before
We all need jog on the elbow once
in while. A newspaper man grows
a buzZard when a story is In the air
He forgets how the other fellow feels
tJ'll pass the word around can prom
|Ae you that not a man among us will
40 anything but take Merry'a word for
hie fr
itself
Thank you. said Oswald with a
cordality which few men had seen
| in the dignified Englishman.
| He stood talking with group who
gathered about him at the close OF
the play. eager as Singleton had been
| to discuss Merry's dramatic confes-
sion. when AN usher interrupted them.
Mr. Oswald, you're wanted back OF
the scenes" said the ooy.
! Under the white glare of electricity
a little group stood on the half-dis
! mantled stage. The people in the cas-,
| 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 moment Os
wald stood watching her Her face
was flushed. her eyes shone, she
seemed transfigured by happiness.
/ Merry stretched out welcoming
hand to Oswald We've been waiting
| for you. Oswald, to round out our
| circle" he cried gaily Il had a Scotch
grandmother When she reached the
western wilderness and built a home
| she made her husband carve over the
! chimney piece: We're a sibb tae ane
| aniether here Once, when | was a
| little boy. she explained 1t to me
| understood The English language
won't translate these words. but they
| mean that there's nobody here but the