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

called to the country"
He led the way down a rear staircase
to his limousine.
When they had alighted before the
Bunce house the managers attitude
borrowed something of the applicants
timidity. With Quaile at his side. he
climbed the steps Of the rusty brown
stone dwelling and rang the bell.
A gray-haiFed man-servant opened
the door. In the dim hall light they
could see only the servants bent
figure. clothed in livery of remote be-
ginnings.
McHugh pushed past.
Mr.. Bunce is expecting me. I am
Arthur McHugh."
The servant relaxed his attitude of
repeiiine an assault He conducted
them down the length of the hall and
opened door. McHugh entered.
Quaile paused on the threshold.
Bunce sat hunched forward in an
eliiptical pose. shawl was draped
across his rounded shoulders. His
beneath which his feet. in carpet slip.
pers, protruded. But Quaile's atten-
ton was held chiefly by the face-un-
kempt. hairy. intricately wrinkled. out
OF which infused eyes CLEANED with a
suspicion equal to the servants His
voice rose on whining, nasal nots
1t carried a perpetual complaint.
| You're not somebody else?'
| McHugh advanced fearlessly.
often as I've wanted to-" he an
swered. I've never been able to make
change. Suppose you're in much the
same fx Mr. Josiah Bunce. l gather
He rendered cigar.
Put some fire to this torch, and well
get to cases.
Bunce. with a gesture of disgust, re-
PEELED the gift
NO smoking here I have to keen
reminding Robert of that"
His voice sharpened.
Think he'd learn in the course of
fifty years"
He drew the shawl more tightly about
his shoulders and coughed
You made a draught coming in. So
you're McHugh. the show man? People
try to get to me on all sorts of pre-
texts. Agents say you want to rent
Woodford's. If it's something else. I'M
derstand. / haven't any money to throw
away in your cheap shows. Sit down.
Quaile and McHugh obeyed the ex-
plosive command.
Bunce leaned forward.
| watson" he called.
The serving-man opened the door
IF my brother hasn't left Bunce di-
:. rected, tell him to come down."
When the man had closed the door a
little curiosity slipped into his voice:
What you want Woodford for? Rob-
ert and / been talking 1t over We'd
| decided there was no income there. mo-
body's made money in the house since
| Woodford die"
An angry flush swept across his face.
Look here. You wasting my time to
talk about moving pictures?"
McHugh's jaw protruded.
Nav. How much time you think
got to throw away. Quaile here's
brought 'Coward's Fare up to date.
Maybe you remember that play of
woodford's. I'm getting an expensive
cast together-all the old people / can:
Dolly Thinker. who played with Wood
ford, and Mike Brody. the property man
forty years ago-aI the sentimental
sIush can think of. I'm going to NAL &c
the old barn what it was. and with its
own play. But got to get good terms.
You understand"
He placed the cigar he had proffered
Bunce in his mouth and bit it savagely.
Quaile had seen memory stir in the old
mans eyes at the mention of the play.
That's different" Bunce said. THAT
was frst-class play. l used to have a
chair at Woodford's two or three times a
week forty years ago
This crouched and slovenly figure In a
theater was an anomaly before which
Quale's imagination halted. Yet, as he
watched a real enthusiasm increase in
Bunces manner. he became confident
that the threatened difficulties would not
materialize. McHugh must have caught
the same symptoms; for he let Bunce
ramble on. while 1t became evident that
his remembrance of Woodfords was one
of his choicest inheritances from youth.
He had been proud to own a share of the
theater in its brilliant period. He had
regretted its decline, beginning with
| Woodford's death. He had always hoped
it might return to its own. He appre-
ciated that McHugh offered fulfillment
Might take a seat myself he grinned
what about your brother?" McHugh
asked
He leaves such things to me. / told
you I'd been talking to him. The boy'll
do what | say
The door opened. new atmosphere
pretentious and incompatible. dis turbed
the tawdry room. Quaile smiled. The
boy who stood in the doorway was. at a
hazard sixty-f1ve years old. He wore
evening clothes. His handsome face.
with grizzled mustaches. was distin-
guished.
There's no point the newcomer said
dryly. lin my intruding. Children should
Ebe seen and not heard
The elder Bunce's shawl fell neglected
to the chair arms.
you come in. Robert. Your parties
can wait minute. These gentlemen have
brought surprise. They're going to take
Coward's Fare back to Woodford's."
Sounds familiar" Robert unused.
| ''Oh, yes; to be sure Doubtless I should
rejoice. Sorry / must limit my enthu-
siasm nave an appointment with
some other bald-headed boys Here,
Watson, help me with my overcoat."
IT'S going to be a fine thing" Nc
Hugh put in. Full of atmosphere.
That pulls everybody. If you play 1t up
right"
Seems promising" Robert answered.
! buttoning his coat. III / remember.
! wasn't there rather too much atmos-
phere the last time they had it open?"
What you mean?" McHugh asked
The general gossip and Cartons talk
flashed back to Quaile's mind. He saw
the elder Bunce stir uncomfortably.
You mind your own business Rob-
ert. He Will have his joke. Mr.. Nc
Hugh. Don't you fret about that. 1t
, was just some talk among the players
| about Woodford's being a little jeal-
GUS"
McHugh stared.
!. Jealous! He's been dead forty
years"
Robert laughed.
Isn't that atmosphere? No old build
ing complete without 1t. See that we
get our price for that, Josiah"
} He smiled at McHugh.
I'm renting a theater." McHugh
grinned. The air inside comes free"
Arrange II with elder brother" Rob-
ert said. I'm Off"
He nodded and hurried out briskly
I T@v, -,t~ q t.