The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-02-23
PAGE FIVE


the manager took the arm Of Edgerton
and led the way TO the theater.
Wayne FOrtescue awoke the next
morning, dull, dazed, ~dizzy-headed,
sick at soul. With a profound shock
he realized what had t%ranspired. For
the first time in two years the vile
tempter of drink had led him astray.
He stared at his garish surroundings
in a lost, despairing way. There over
cam him the bitterness of death, for
all the firm foundation of life seemed
crushed away beneath him. He
groaned and closed his eyes.
The play-he had disappointed his
audience. The drink-what inane
folly might he not have committed
Ellse-ah, flower of his heart!-she,
his promised bride! When the news
Of his retrogression came to her, how
could he live to witness the misery Of
that tender, gentle heart!
His hands were trembling, his frame
weak and unsteady. He glanced into
the mirror as he dressed and was
abashed at the accusing pallor and
wretchedness portrayed in his face.
A bell boy, as vas customary, placed
a pitcher of ice water and q morning
newspaper inside the room. Wayne
drained the cooling liquid to its last
drop. He sank into q chair, trying to
recall the events of the evening pre-
viOus. At a point where he had been
spouting some tragedy to a boisterous
cafe group all memory ceased. Me-
chanically he picked up the newspaper
and glanced at its first page. :.
Startled, fairly hypnotlzed, he read
down a column, a critique Of the rem
dition of julius Caesar the evening
previous. Was he dreaming? What
journalistic %buffoonery was this7 To
an Irving, a Booth, no higher praise,
no greater genius could be accredited.
From start to finish the play had been
the sensation of the dramatic season,
and Wayne Fortescue had won his way
TO the front rank.
ut couldn't have happened" gasped'
Wayne, an my condition"
The manager had entered the room.
He looked grave, but hopeful as he
read in the face of Fortescue unutter-
able contrltion for his sad lapse.
"Dacre," cried the tormented
Wayne. explain that ~ and he thrust
the newspaper before him.
yes spoke Dacre, quietly, "just In
time 1 provided the understudy. He Is
here-an old friend" and he opened
the door and ushered in Macready
Edgerton.
There were honest tears in the eyes
OF the sorrowful Fortescue when he
learned what true friends had done to
save his name, to shield his folly. The
crisis was past and the few who knew
Of the substitution were clannishly
professionally loyal.
"In the future" began Dacre.
my lesson will suffice" interrupted
Wayne Fortescue, solemnly. IF only
to show my gratitude, that l am a
man, 1 would never skirt the abyss
again !"
And they believed, and their faith
was not betrayed. Then it was that
Wayne Fortescue took into his heart
and confidence the old veteran who
had for the last time flashed forth
some of the brilliant genius of his best
days.
They ~rejuvenated Macready Edger-
ton, did the manager and Wayne For
~tescue, so far as new attire and fun
pocketbook were concerned, and his
initial reward presaged a future COM
Portable pension for life.
And Elise never knew, and Wayne
never gave her reason to suspect how
nearly he had grazed the blight of
disgrace.
And the happiest moment In the life
of "the fallen star" was when, after
the wedding, he placed his hands on
their heads with serio-comlc %eloquence,
pronounclng the benediction
! 'Bless you, my children, bless
youl"