Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-27

! agents.
He displayed an eagerness to discuss
| McHugh's plans. He showed real re-
greet at their departure.
| Quaile stopped McHugh as he was en-
| tering his limousine
| "Bunce seemed actually frightened at
that nonsense" he said. you've heard
superstitious talk about woodford's?"
Il dare say. Natural enough any
old place. Nothing to remember"
noon," Quaile said. a little abashed at
the necessity of repeating such a con-
versation. He spread himself on ru-
mors that Woodford's influence sur
seriously, on the whole. It's worth
| thinking about. I mean. there's no use
| getting trouble makers in the cast
| There's a lot of talk about that stock
company forfeiting its lease five years
! ago"
! McHugh only laughed. He sprang
| into the limousine and slammed the
door. AS he drove off he turned back
to Quaile his grinning face. which mar
velously retained a pendulous cigar.
Next day. nevertheless. the unexpect-
| ed intruded once or twice. and startled
| even the matter-of-fact manager.
Quaile spent most of the afternoon in
the office. completing with McHugh the
| casting Of the piece. Mike Brody had
| reported. and gone down to Woodford' s
| with a squad of electricians. He had
| already sent word that there was little
| to be done, since the wiring had been
| moderniZed five years before. The man
ager had promised Quaile they would
| visit the theater and inspect it for
| themselves as soon as their task was
| completed.
1t was late when Quaile saw Mike
| enter and go through to the private
| Office.
! More than sentiment had urged Nc
Hugh to engage the old man. He had
worked for McHugh off and on for
many years. He understood and fitted
! easily into the manager system
| Within Ave minutes McHugh was
| roaring for Ethel She went in. re-
turned. and nodded to Quaile.
| Boss wants you
| Quaile opened the door and stepped
| in. The manager sat back. facing Mike.
| The property man leaned against the
! wall. unwilling to meet McHugh's tenn
pestuous glance. picking at his cap.
What do you think, Quaile? The
! old numskull wants to quit me.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Cause
I'm going to give you away to Mr..
| Quaile."
| Mike made an embarrassed appeal:
| Il only told him. sir. that / thought
| maybe I'd better not take on the fob"
Il understood" Quaile said. that you
/ were pleased at the prospect of going
| back"
Yes. sir. I was. l had some of the
| best times of my life when / was kid
at Woodfords; but that's been forty
| years, and" He broke off and re-
| turned to the restless lingering of his
! cap.
| First time anybody ever wanted to
resign on me-" McHugh said in hurt
! tone. Fall down on your job once,
| Mike. and you won't have to wait to re-
sign: What do you thinks biting him.
| Quaile?'
Somebody's offered him more money"
| McHugh burst into laughter.
mo. I'm the best pickings in the
business. Old FOOLS afraid of Bertrand
| Woodford."
| Quaile Joined in the mirth.
| dead. Mike?"
When he's got me-" gasped McHugh.
afraid of Woodford's spook."
| The managers antidote was powerful.
face.
II didn't say that. Mr.. McHugh.
Maybe you're right though. If you
want me I'll stay
naturally. Wait for us downstairs.
Mr.. Quaile and i will go to Woodford' s
with you in a minute. We want to see
what's been DONE
But. when the man had left, Nc
Hugh turned a puzzled face to QuaiIe
With a thoughtful air he drew on his
unlighted cigar.
| Guess you had the right done last
night. after ALL he admitted. Got to
keep our eyes open and make it cheer
full at Woodford's."
| Surely" Quaile said. Mike isn't
such a fool as to think he saw any
mo. But Mikes pretty old l guess
1t took him back to go into that barn
after forty years. He didn't say any
thing. you could put your finger on.
Was just frightened. Said it was dark
and cold. and he couldn't help thinking
of his old boss-seemed like he stood
by him all the time. Say. / never
realized what disagreeable devil
Woodford was. Mike says he used to
limp around-seems he had rheuma-
tism a lot towards the last--beng as
nasty to people as he could Going
there today certainly put him on Mikes
mind. Got to talking about the night
| he died. Says Woodford worked him
self to death because he was too jeal-
ons to let anybody play his part
That's about what l hear" Quaile
[ said Did Mike mention anything
of Woodfords death?"
| McHugh looked up
| Mean to say Carlton gave you that,
too?"
Yes. Mentioned it-as he said. it's
funny the way these foolish stories
| cling"
McHugh arose
! i We laughed Mike out of it, anyway.
| may take a shot at Carlton. You
know. Mike was honestly afraid some
thing might happen to him down there
Come on. let's GO
/ They. Joined Mike on the sidewalk,
entered McHugh's automobile and
drove to Woodford's.
The night had descended by the time
| they arrived at the theater, but the
glitter of the street lights was decep-
tive: 1t softened tho scars of the old
building.
| where's Tommy BALI" McHueh
said. Il told Tommy Ball to meet me
here
| A young man. too sedulously clothed
| deserted his contemplation of a shop
window and stepped forward QuaiIe
recognized McHugh's assistant stage
Manager youth who always amused
| him by his fervent efforts to COPY his
| employers eccentricities
! Been in yet, Tommy" McHugh
asked.
| Not since noon. But 1 don't guess
you'll find a whole lot to do"
Mike thrust his hand in his pocket
producing a heavy. old-fashioned key
stage entrance is this way, Mr. Nc
| Hugh"