Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

up and drink some coffee. I've sent
for cab to take you home"
Gadsden took the stale beverage and
drank It with a wry face. He refused
to eat. Had enough last night for two
weeks" he said with a. laugh. II re-
member now-it was terrapin. 1 say
I'm obliged to you; you saved my life life,
throw yourself into the East river yet;
wait while. Give me your address"
Gadsden laughed bitterly. Haven't
got one on 9Th avenue" he replied. and
then gave a number way up in the
Bronx. II boarded there once. and the
woman's kind. Shed keep any letter
for me. and l go there once in a while
when I'm not drunk"
AS he spoke Richardson heard the cab
at the door. and hurried him out
thrusting one of his last fve-dollar
bills into his hand. Gadsden thanked
him and sank weakly back in the cab
too exhausted to reason clearly.
Rid of his visitor. Richardson went
upstairs, switched off the lights and
drew back the curtains. Halket had not
yet come: he was growing careless and
almost impertinent: There was time for
carded the thought; he was bent on
surprising Gadsden.
Poor devil" he thought. It'll see him
through. I'll help him out before I get
more?"
It had seemed a great deal the night
before. but now he had the virtuous
feeling of one who contemplates a bene-
Henry Griswold. his intimate friend. q
guest at dinner the night before. and
one Of the biggest theatrical managers
in New York and London.
telephone and called the great mans
house number. He was answered by the
managers valet.
INT. Griswold's in bed. sir: won't
r.
Cant help it. call him. wake him up
Tell him it's Richardson. and to come
at once"
II don't dare to do it. sir"
life or death. Hurry! ri hold the wire.
There was an interval. Richardson
seemed to hear confused and torrential
sounds, and he laughed softly;
sir. Wants to know II you're ill?"
Tell him I'm dying. and to come at
once" Richardson shouted. and hung
up the receiver; While he waited he
ferceiy. That blockhead told me you
were dyins!"
straight. Sit down. I've got something
Griswold turned his big head and
scowled at him: "out with it, Jack.
How much is it?'
Richardson laughed. Wrong. my dear
Griswold. all wrong. Not a cent.
merely want you to read that: and he
laid the play on the managers knee.
Griswoid gave 1t one look. recognized
the familiar. dog-eared four books of a
play. and Indignantly flung 1t aside.
I'll be hanged IL / read itH he ex-
claimed fiercely. rising from his chair
Are you crazy. man? Is that your idea
throat before breakfast 2'
key in his pocket. Now. see here.
Griswold. you're going to read that
to read one play?' he inquired calmly
You never do. You get Moylan to do
1t. and he turns down everybody he
can't hector into altering It with his
over there. and I'm determined that
Griswold laughed suddenly. his big
you deserve to have It read. and to be
liner
Griswoid went over and picked up the
the others upon the lounge. while
Richardson watched him with a grim
smile. The manager adjusted his eye
glasses, looking At him over the tops.
Now. mind. I'll read just one act,
d'you hear?"
An hour passed. two hours.
suddenly hand was laid on Rich
ardson's shoulder. It was Griswold.
Richardson. it's-it's immense" he
said. in his deep voice. at will be the
biggest thing that New York has seen
in fifty years. Cad, man, it will make
you! IL swear hadn't an idea you
could do it,"
$50 you think it was worth reading?"
Richardson laughed bitterly.
ITS the real thing. oughtn't to
say 80. for suppose you'll charge more
on account NJ H. h,,t Ts,,@ 80 ~ cat ~