davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

Hello" l cried. Hello"
A shrek. unlike anything human, and
a distant babbling alone answered me.
There was a crash. Clearly. Deeping
had dropped the receiver. ! suppose my
face blanched.
What is it," asked Bristol. anxiously.
God knows what it Isl said.
"Deeping has met with some mis-
Then: "Hassan of Aleppo." came
dying whisper to my ear-"Hassan-of
Aleppo@
You had better wait for U.S." said
Bristol. to the taxi man.
VERY good. sir
A clock chimed out-an old-wor1d
chime in keeping with the loneliness,
the curiously remote loneliness. of the
locality. Less than five miles from st.
Paurs are spots to which. with the
persistence of Damascus altar. clings
the aroma of former days. This iron
gateway before us was such spot
Just within stood plain-clothes man.
who saluted my companion respectfully.
prof. Deeping." ] began.
The man. with simple gesture, con-
veyed the dreadful news.
Dead! dead"' / cried fncredulously.
He glanced at Bristol.
THE most mysterious case 1 have
ever had anything to do with. sir"
he said.
We went through the gate and across
the lonely grounds. entered the cot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

I've heard before Of the hallucinations
of habitual drunkards. Your brain is
disordered. my friend"
The play Is mine. You've tried to
rob me. you've stolen it. but you can't
keep it! You'll have to give it up
now: I've found you out"'
THANK you"-very coolly."but will
you kindly tell me how you propose to
make me give up my own play"
Gadsden stared at him. You can't
keep it. It's mine"
Richardson smiled: he was cool.
though he felt the blood hemmering in
his temples, and the noise in his ears
kept him from hearing his guests ar
irving below.
How do you propose to prove it," he
asked provokfngly.
THE play is mine. I can prove that
to any just man. Every line of it is
mine. You're a thief
ION the contrary. it's mine." assert
ed Richardson insolently.
You lie.
Richardson swung around suddenly
and struck him: he meant to knock him
senseless, for he heard Kittys voice at
the door.
But Gadsden, Keeling from the blow.
saw the pistol on the desk, snatched 1t
up. and fired in blind fury.
There was a cry from the door. and
Griswold hurled himself on the frantic
man. knocking the weapon from his
hand.
Kitty French saw his face.
why, it's joe" she cried. Mother,
it's joe"
CHAPTER VIII.
Richardson was only slightly wound
ed in the right arm. and he spoke to
Halket while Griswold and Moylan
were struggling with Gadsden.
Get the police" he said. THE mans
drunk"
"oh. Jack. don't" Kitty murmured.
softly. clingng to his arm. Don't! I've
known him all my life. It's poor, poor
Joe.
Hes drunk. Kitty. and crazy"
Gadsden wrenched himself back in
Griswold arms. I'm neither the one
nor the other, Kitty he cried. pas
sionately. That man is thief-he's
stolen my play"
sobbed. BE quiet-don't get into
He won't. Miss Kitty" said Girls
void. coolly. Hell get into jail"
I'm sure he's tipsy,' said Mrs. Rag
Ian. II always told Kitty he'd drink
himself to death. Oh, Mr.. Richardson,
your arms bleeding"
"A scratch he replied, with pallid
smile. kitty has bound it"
Moylan gripped Gadsden harder. and
the young man turned and looked into
his face.
I've no quarrel with you." he said.
in a low voice "rll submit to arrest.
l didn't kill him, but God knows l
meant to-"
You're admitting a good DEAL" re-
marked Griswold. cycling him. Here
come the police"
Il don't know YOU" said Gadsden. still
In a low voice. "I don't know the 9TH
ers-only Mrs. Raglan and-and her
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

TIT is like labor of love to do It, I
I'm SO glad"
Kitty"
Moved beyond reason or thought. he
caught her in his arms. II love you.
he whispered. The part made 1t for
you"
CHAPTER VII.
The success Of the play was immense.
The Tuesday morning papers were full
of 1t. and Richardson read them over
his belated cup Of coffee. He was mad
" happy. Long columns were devoted
to the beauties of the drama and to the
triumph Of the young and charming
star. Richardson was madly in love.
and Kitty had not refused him. She
had hesitated. 1t is true. but. like him
self. she had been swept away by the
floodtide of feeling. Tonight. after the
play. he was TO give a supper in her
honor She and her mother would be
there. and Griswold. Moylan. Delafield.
even Green and La Motto. All his
friends had returned. and he had been
even offered loans where few weeks
before he had scarcely been recog-
nized. They were all eager to hail him
as a genius and the sole possessor of a
big money-making play. How would
they feel If they knew the truth? On
the way home that day he again met
Gadsden.
He started violently: he almost ex-
Dected that Gadsden would shout some
denunciation at him. But nothing of
the sort occurred: the other man greet
ed him quietly. and he saw that there
were no longer evidences of drink. But
his extreme pallor. the emaciation of
his large and striking features, gave
Richardson a shock Could 1t be that
the man was starving Gadsden was
going to pass him. but he stopped him
with a gesture.
See here. you're In trouble" he said
kindly. Permit me to help you"
Gadsden colored deeply. You're more
than kind he hesitated. II haven't
been drinking. but works scarce"
II know It, Richardson put his
hand into his pocket. Here's a hun
dred dollars"
don't know when / could return 1t. but
I'D be glad to borrow ten
Richa rdson handed it to him and went
on. conscious of Il feeling of relief; he
was paying toll for his triumph.
At the theater he was unable to see
Kitty French. The performance had
been SO eminently successful that no
rehearsal had been called. and the
young star was at home resting.
Meanwhile. Joe Gadsden had bought
a paper to read over his cheap break
fast at a side street restaurant. He
had not eaten for twenty-four hours.
and he was hungry, but while he walt
ed for a tired girl to serve his scanty
meal he opened his paper upon the
scenario OF the great new play and be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

gan to read it with a grateful thought
that Richardson had been kind to him.
Unconscious that his money had fur
nfshed both breakfast and a newspaper,
Richardson spent the day in kind of
dream of glory. Then he hurried home
to prepare for the supper at which his
engagement to Kitty French was to be
announced. He had won her consent.
almost at the last moment. when they
were both again swept off their feet by
the electric thrill of that applauding
house. The author who had drawn
Mary Brooke and the actress who had
created the great role. were to be unit
ed. 1t would mean a surprise, but 1t
would also mean an added interest to
the great play
Richardson reached the house before II
O'Clock, the hour set for the supper.
and had a few moments, therefore, in
which to view the completed arrange
ments. Fastidious as he was, and
eager to do honor to his young fiancee,
he could find no fault. The room was
almost fairy bower, and the polished
mahogany table was set with perfect
taste and simplicity. He sent a few last
orders down to the cook. and then
stood impatiently awaiting his guests.
Tonight he had cast out all regret,
thrust aside every pang Of conscience;
he was almost insane with happiness.
Yet, as he stood thete. he remembered
the night when he had intended to
shoot himself before daybreak, and he
had called in the man in\the street.
The significance of that action. now so
tremendous and far-reaching. suddenly
stood before him and halted him in his
impatient pacing to and fro. Was he
never to forget IT, never to be free of
this specter of want and drink. this
creature who haunted him like Mac
beth's ghost? He was resolved to go
on, he was determined to keep what he
had won: nothing should wrest this
triumph from him now. nothing hum
BILE him in Kitty's eyes. The bare
thought of it overwhelmed him with
rage. yet he went to his deGk and, taxi
ing out his pistol, looked at 1t Curl
ously. 1t recalled that vivid moment
when 1t had seemed the easiest way.
The bell rang: they were coming.
He laid the weapon down and drew
himself sharply together. glancing into
the long mirror over the mantel. He
looked well. there was no sign of dis
composure: he was a little pale. but his
eyes shone and, as usual. his evening
dress was perfect.
The door was thrown violently open
and Gadsden stood on the threshold.
For moment the two men regarded
each other without speaking. then
richardson controlled a violent emo
ton, akin to panic. that had gripped
him.
What do you WANT" he asked cour-
teously I'm expecting guests. but IL
l can help YOU
You thief.'
Richardson paled; so the hour had
come.
You've been drinking" he replied
81 haven't been drinking and 1 know
what you are!"
: Richardson laughed lightly: he had
chosen his role and waa-acting it-well.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02
7 OF MOf1AMlMED'S SACRED SLIPPER

Nothing, sir. It's just as We found
1t when we forced the door
why did you force the door,"
HE rang us up at the station and
said that Something or somebody had
got into the house. 1t was evident the
poor .gentleman's nerve had broken
down, sir. He said he was locked in
his study. When We arrived It was
heard sounds in here.
Bristol turned.
key is in the lock on the inside of
the door," he said. rs that where you
found it?"
Yes. sir"
safe locked?'
YES, sir!
Prof Deeping lay half under the
shall not attempt to describe 1t.
"Merciful hsavens." whispered Bris-
toll. Hes nearly decapitated"
clutched dizzily at the mant1epiece.
Bile. How had Deepins met his death?
The windows both were latched and
the door had been locked from within!
Why" cried my companion. sudden
ly. The professor has a chisel in his
hand"
Yes. I think he ,nust have been
trying to pry open that box yonder
when he was attacked"
Bristol and i looked at an oblong
box which lay upon the floor near the
murdered man. 1t was a small pack
inE-case. addressed to Prof. Deeping
and evidently had not been opened.
when did this arrive?" asked Bris-
toll.
Lester, the professors man. who had
entered the room, replied shakily: cit
came by carrier. sir. just before I went
out"
Was he expecting it?'
II don't think 80"
Inspector Bristol and the officer
dragged the box fully into the light.
1t was some three feet long by one
foot square. and solidly constructed.
ut is perfectly evident" remarked
Bristol that the murderer stayed to
search for
THE key of the safe"
Exactly. II the man really heard
sounds here it would appear that the
assassin was still searching at that
time"
Il assure YOU" the officer inter-
rupted. that there was no living thing
in the room when we enteredw
Bristol and l looked at one another
in horrifed wonder.
IT'S incomprehensible." he said
See II the key is in the place men
toned by the professor. Mr.. Cavan-
agh, while i break the box"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

daughter. NO them / say that that man
there is a thief. a cold-hearted. DELHI
crate thief"
You're drunk" retorted Richardson
"Omcer, that man came In tipsy; he
wanted to borrow money. and | re-
fused 1t. then he tried to shoot me-"
II came in sober. / asked for nothing
but l accused you of stealing my play.
replied Gadsden, with white lips. He
saw that no one believed him. he real
ICED his situation.
He walked out between the two po-
licemen. but as he passed Kitty their
eyes met. She was all in white except
for a pink rose in her soft hair. Her
lips trembled. Gadsden turned and
looked back. "Good-by," he said softly,
"good-by, Mary Brooke"
Kitty covered her face with her hands
and burst into tears.
1t was nearly l o'clock before the
guests sat down to supper. Deiaf1eld,
Richardson's arm. and a broken vase,
that the bullet had splintered. had been
removed, but the mirth of the occasion
was gone. Mrs. Raglan was deeply dis
turbed, and Kitty's eyes were red with
tears.
Joe Gadsden." Mrs. Raglan explained
to the others. Hes the son of my
dearest friend. I'm thankful she died
before she knew how he drank. That's
his trouble: he's so clever. poor boy.
and SO kind-hearted. Dear Mr.. Rich
ardson. he must have been quite mad
tonight to shoot a you
so mad that he said he'd written
The Tree of Life laughed Griswold.
by Jove, Richardson, that's joke
on you"
Richardson echoed the laugh family.
He was crazy with liquor" he said
slowly. Hes been here before to Dor
row money. and I've helped him a lit
tie. Tonight-well. l suppose he had
some idea of Matchmaking me-"
''Oh. no. no." cried Kitty, suddenly"
They turned and looked at her. She
colored, but her beautiful eyes shone.
Joe never meant that: he may have
been crazy with drink. but never a
deliberate wrong like that. l can't be-
lieve 1T
TT was most unfortunate" said
Richardson. Let us forget it. My
friends, l propose toast to Miss Kitty
French-who has honored me by prom
ising to be my wife,"
Griswold rose to his feet, lifting his
glass.
Health. prosperity and happiness to
the bride-to-be and the greatest Ameri-
can dramatist!" he answered.
Richardson rose to respond. but Kitty
said nothing. She scarcely smiled. The
room was misty before her eyes. and
the white face Of Joe Gadsden seemed
to stand out of 1t like a mask. She saw
nothing else: his eyes haunted her. the
hollows in his cheeks. the drawn lines
about his mouth. The marks of drink
and privation were there. perhaps. but
there was something else, the dignity
of conscious intellect, the sympathy,
the passion of genius. 1t was Joe, the
Joe she had known all her life. whose
heart she had wounded. and he had
called Richardson thief. The word
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02
THE MAN IN THE STREET

dropped. Griswold asked him to re-
write 1t.
Richardson took out his notebook.
to write. He wrote desperately. follow
ing. as well as he could. Gadsden's in
imitable style. AS he wrote ideas be-
gan to now and his agitation diminish
ed; After all. had he caught the in
He looked Up. and. catching Kitty's
eye. smiled. She nodded: she was a lit
tie pale. but her look was reassurins:
she. believed in him. He rose and walk
ed over to Griswold and handed him the
few pages he had written.
How will that do?" he asked.
The manager. immersed in a scene by
no means easy. swung around and
trained eye scanned it with lightning
like swiftness.
Great Caesar. man" he shouted
Siaring at the author like an enraged
There was something like a litter
from the wings. and Richardson felt
the hot blood surge up. But Griswold
was violet.
Cut 1t. you-you IDIOT. The big
manager was beside himself: a scene
was imminent Of quite another kind
from the one intended, when Kitty
French interviewed.
she said. Il begin to see what ii was
MT Richardson: here-let me show you
where failed"
You didn't" said Griswold. anerily.
IT'S rotten. it doesn't act"
She smiled. Wait she pleaded
gently. Just wait"
She took the act from Richardson's
shaking hands. their eyes met, and she
saw something like terror In his The
girl went back to her corner with bent
mead: she was trembling. What did it
mean: Yet in a moment she was at
work. swiftly. deftly: with the intui-
Oh
lines and turned the corner Richard
son watched her. leaning against the
wall. Her young profile was outlined
by the high lights on the stage, her
eyes were dreamy: he thought her su-
premely beautiful. A feeling so subtle
and so enchanting swept over him that
ne forgot his terror
She looked up. will that dor.
He took up the manuscript and read
II again. ITS perfect" he said.
AS he spoke. Griswold came up and
glanced over his shoulder In a mo-
ment he saw the difference.
Now. that's something like" he ex-
claimed. notified. You helm him Az
II up. Miss French. It's his nrst nIax
and he's lost his nerve"
Or. rather. you lost your temner
rerorted Richardson, bitterly.
me manager laughed. You go RIGHT
on: Miss French: try 1t out"
she obeyed, her face SO pale that II
looked to Richardson like an ethereal
mower. He seemed to feel her passion
ate anxiety to interpret 1t. to carry IL
through, to mako him great. He for
got that he had no hand In 1t, he forgot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02
Continued from Fourth Pase.)

y
beautiful / only thought that-if you
meant that text-it might be better to
call it The Tree of Life"
Yes. 1 meant it, Richardson assent
ed. a certain hesitation in his manner.
He was thinking of Gadsden's white
face. but the girls eyes made him come
back to himself.
What do you think of it. Jaek'"
call II The Tree of Life" Then chang
ing the subject. he said to the girl:
II say. j must know you. he ex-
claimed. II must have met you fvs
years ago in Paris with your mother.
She laughed softly yet wasn't
called French. You're right. Mr. Rich
ardson ] remembered, but ! thought
Kitty Raglan. We were there three
years. while ] was studying French.
After that father died and left US SO
poor that ! went on the stage. Grand
take the Raglan name on. I'm just
Kitty French my mother was
yPsnch.s
But you've made good" Richardson
man say nowr'
Hes dead" she answered. gently.
He never knew. Mamma is with me
she's always with me. We had hard
though there were tears In her eyes
II made good. you say. This part
OH. Mr.. Richardson. / can't express my
thanks to you, j know i can do IT,
can make IL live, because feel it,
He looked into her eyes: the subtle,
unintentional fattery of her enthusi-
asm went to his head like wine. II
think l must have written IT just for
you" he said. SO passionately that she
colored deeply and turned away.
CHAPTER VI
In the crowded weeks that followed
Richardson lost all control of circum-
stances. From the day when Kitty
French paid him the tribute of her girl
ish admiration. he ceased to contem-
plate confession. 1t seemed to him that
fate had played against him. invited
him into deception. and then bound and
chained him to the role he had assum-
ed. Day after day IL grew upon him.
and day after day he became more ed :
ded to II. The play was in rehearsal.
and as 1t grew and pulsated with the
Interpretation of action il fascinated
him. Fortunately for the pretended au
thor, the play was nearly perfect
that II needed more of the manager
manipulation than of the dramatist's
skilled hand. Yet once. at the very be-
ginning. Richardson stood on the brink
OF ruin In the second rehearsal q scene.
tried over four or dve times, was found
impossible. II could not be spoken. 1t
was not long. yet OF such vital neces-
Shy'f0s<hAs play that At eould-not be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

went to a great, open bookcase.
which the frantic searcher seemed to
have overlooked. Removing the bulky
Assyrian mythology. there, behind the
volume. lay an envelope. containing a
key. and letter.
This box is unopenable by ordi-
nary means" cried Bristol. II shall
have to smash it,"
At his words / Joined him where he
knelt on the floor. Mysteriously. the
chest had defied all his efforts.
There's a pick-axe in the garden"
volunteered Lester. Shall l bring it?"
Yes"
II see the key is safe" said Bristol.
Possibly the letter may throw some
light upon all this
Let us hope So" 1 replied. You
might read it,"
He took the letter from my hand.
stepped up to the table and by the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

rang in her ears. Then she heard her
hance's voice.
Il can't tell you what it means to
me to see her interpret that part. She
has clothed it with beauty-beyond my
dreams" His voice faltered. he set hiu
glass down on the table. and Kitty saw
that his fingers trembled. She watched
them. her heart sinking. terrible
doubt tugging at it. Did she love him..
after all? Or had she only been cal
ried away by the emotion. the beautJ.
the joy. of the great part? II she loved
him, could she doubt him, could she lie
SO haunted with Joe Gadsden's wordsf
Il can tell YOU. l think ! deserve
credit said Griswold. genial and tn
umphant. Didn't L choose the lady
for the part?
Knowing her. you couldn't choose
any one else" retorted Delafield. go
to. Griswold. We won't give you an
inch of credit for that
But Mr.. Griswold knows how happy
he made me- Kitty interposed, gently;
Never before had had part that
could play with so much joy.
Moylan looked up from his plate' ne
had been doing justice to the SUPPER
How did you happen to think of those
lines about the old pool by the school,,
house. Richardson
Richardson glanced across the table
and caught Delafield's eye. Something
in the tranquil gray disturbed him; he
Redeemed. Il wrote that one hot day
last summer" he answered, lightly.
.'Oh. but you said you did the whole
play in forty-eight hours-not two
months ago" Moylan was crumbling
piece of bread now.
The playwright lifted his wineglaes
to his lips, but set it down untastrd.
Those lines were old ones" he sxfd-
do you want me to alter them. Moy-
Ian"
Heaven forbid" said Moylan. looking
across at kitty. "Miss French knows
what I think or thein."
She colored slightly: her hands wSre
clasped under the table, she was try
now that you called them lovely" she
said. quietly. After all, that's great
tribute" she added. turning to Rich
ardson. for Mr.. Moylan can write
beautiful things himself"
Griswold laughed maliciously. TIL
tell you now that Jack wouldn't let
Moylan have his hand on it. He got me
the way. Jack. was that your pistol
that lunatic had, or his own?
Richardson leaned back in his chair:
for the first time he was very pale
His color had been high all the even-
ing, now it seemed to run out of his
face Like Kitty. he had sickening re-
membrane of Gadsden's look. 1T was
my pistol" he said al last.
Griswold turned and looked at MIN,
surprised How on earth did that fell
low get Il?
IL had left it on my desk"
There was sudden silence.
A moment later Mrs. Raglan discov-
cred that supper was over ana rose
from the table do you know that it's
half-past 2 in the morning. and We
must go homer" she exclaimed.
(TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT SuNDAEl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

tage. crossed the tiny lobby and came
ing's servant, was sitting in a chair
by the door. his head sunken in his
hands. He looked up. haggard faced.
my God! my Cod" he groaned. He
was locked in. gentlemen. He was
locked in: and yet something murdered
him."
What do you mean?" said Bristol
Where were your
II was away. on an errand, sir When
returned, the police were breaking
the door down. He was locked i'm,
We passed him. entering the study.
1t was a museum-like room, lighted
by lamp on the Uttered table. At first
glance 1t looked as if some wild thing
had run amuck there. The disorder was
indescribable.
Touched nothing. of course?" asked
Bristol, sharply. of the officer on duty.