The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1916-08-31

hind the scenes. His hand shook and
he was blushing like q schoolbOy when
Stella greeted him. He looked proud
and terriflcally in earnest as the mana
ger introduced him to the company as
the hacker Of the enterprise. OF course,
Dale invited them all to celebrating
supper at the village hotel.
After that the ambition Of the mana
ger essnyed some lofty flights. He
made much of Dale. He introduced
him to "emincnt tragedians" when
they opened up at the Classic opera
house in the city. He constituted
Dale their "press agent" He managed
to get fulsome writeups on "the gifted
young owner of the show"
One day while Dale was alone in
his office ut the theater pale, refined
young fellow, none too warmly clad,
approached him with manuscript. He
had written play. He frankly con-
fessed that 1t had been rejected Mt a
number Of theatrical sources. Dale
consented to have the author read the
play to him and took him to his room
ut the hotel.
OF its dramatic merits Dale knew
little, but one point attracted him in
tensely. This was that its heroine ex-
actly fitted the capabilities Of Stella.
He paid the poor playwright thou
sand dollars for the manuscript and
sent him on his way rejoicing.
The manager was furious when he
heard of "this reckless waste of
money! Stella felt complimented
from the fact of the play pleasing Dale
because the portrayal of its heroine
suited her abilities. She read the
manuscript.
ut has great possibilities" she hon.
estly told Dale.
"Then lose no TIME getting it on the
STAGE" directed Dale.
1T will cost FIVE thousand dollars to
get the play started" snarled the man.
azer to Stella.
swell, it may better 60 on promis.
ing experiment than on a sure dead
loss" retorted Stella. "Why don't you
tell Mr.. Arnold that our stock com.
pany venture is a rank failure?'
ut looks as If you was acting guard.
ian angel to get him to marry you !"
snarled the manager.
"1'd take him. If he'd have me-" pro-
vokingly answered Dale's champion.
"He's good man. respect him."
The crash came with a suddenness
that Frustrated Dale. He had given
the manager carte blanche and the lat.
ter had used 1t to the limit. The mana.
ger elopcd with the last few thousand
dollars left to Dale. and behind him q
trail of debt. Dale was taken with a
fever that night. was delirious for
three weeks, came back to life Mt the
end Of two months, weak and enact.
ated.
They told him at the hospital that
after paying the theater debts he had
bare five hundred dollars left. The
troupe had disbanded. The star. Stella
had called at the hospital several
times. but rumor had 1t had gone to
New York city to secure a new engage.
ment.
"Ah. well, I've had my experience! !"
sighed Dale. but his philosOphizing did
not carry him past many heart pan:
as he thought of Stella.
Dale was we'll along in his GONZALES.
cence when one day he was informed
that lady was waiting him in the
parlor Of the hotel. He went down
to meet Stella. She was radiant.
II could hardly keep it from you all
this time" she burst forth in her i'm.
passioned way. warmly clasping his
hand, 'but oh! have been so busy
with the drama you bought. It has
been a marvellous success in the East.
I have made-look! Look!" and she
drew forth and showed Dale a bank
book.
"Twenty thousand dollars from my
starring and sale Of the drama
rights!" she cried. I'VE are quite rich"
"We?" queried Dale.
my dear good man who did so much
for me! Surely, we are partners"
"You-you have thought Of me in all
this?" murmured Dale brokenly.
"All the time-and ever will! !" came
the steadfast reply.
Her glance fell. for she saw arise in
his eager face the glow of hope that
answered that of love in her own
beautiful eyes.