Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-07-02
A FAMILIAR
ROLE
By ALvAH }. cARTH

from SneiteFiDg doorway and con-
fronted Mantell Barth SO abruptly
that the well groomed, prosperous
looking theater manager recoiled.
uncertain whether the former was a
footpad or a mendicant.
81 am weak. hungry, homeless I"
came the bitter words. convincing 10
their expression, ard the generous
hand of Barth went to his pocket.
Then he gave great start.
Arden HysIopl" he exclaimed. and
aside from surprise palpable gIadness
was In tone and face.
The other drew tack as if hunlili-
afed by the recognition. sit is Mr..
Barth?" he uttered faip.iy. peering
closely. 81 used to ltH5w You once"
"Know me now!" ordered Bartb in
bluff. hearty tones. and he linked his
arm in o spontaneous friendly fashion
within that OF the other. Down on
your luck? I've been through that
many a time since you and ! met. ten
years ago. ! have an hour to spare.
A restaurant. first Don't talk, eat"
Barth's manner was irresistible. He
fairly forced Hyslop along with him.
He showed no embarrassment in ush-
ering his unkempt companion into a
fashionable restaurant. He spoke to
him as though they were close famil-
lar friends, he ordered a princely meal
Then as 1t was finished he took out
his pocket book and selected from Il
half dozen bank notes.
.Hyslop." he said, II wish you to go
and make yourself presentable and
alter at four o'clock this afternoon
VIII you do it," and the other bowed
his head mutely in assent. His heart
was too full for words.
"Our old acquaintanceship is all
right" pursued Barth. but aside from
that business is business. By
strange circumstance one actor with
the principal role in our play was TAX
en- Ill this morning. / was on my way
to find substitute when / met you.
Was ever such luck! for IL remem-
Der Alright you made a great hit In, that
drama. The Wanderer,' years ago. You
must be familiar with the text"
II will come" promised Hyslop,
"only fear you will be disappointed
In me-"
Arden Hyslop looked a new man
when he appeared at the theater that
afternoon. Well fed. well dressed
now, sober. grateful to generous heart
ed Barth, fash of hope and ambl-
ton had come to him. For five years
he had sunk lower and lower after
his habits of dissipation had separated
him from his wife who. like himself,
belonged to the histrionic profession.
He had not heard from her or their
little child since their parting.
Barth greeted the resuscitated act
or cheerily, and with satisfaction as
he noticed his clean shaved face and
new neatly fitting attire. He handed
him the manuscript of the play with
the words.
"Just to remind you of the cues and
the general run of the riece. you must
remember the old liaes pretty well.
You win have good support. lady
who has made her mark In the role Of
Margaret"
who is she?" inquired Barth cas-
uaIly.
Your wife"
It was a true dramatic climax. The
manager watched its effect upon Hys-
top with curiosity and interest.
Beatrice? OH, neyerl' gasped Hys-
lop, recoiling. &Why. man do you
not know that we have been separated
for years. that | dragged her down
to poverty and then cruelty deserted
her? By this time doubtlessly she has
legally severed the tie that bound
us as man and wife,"
'sYou mistake" Barth Informed him.
,sYour wife is not woman to forget
the man she once loved"
"And little Aileenf'
"TaBes the child's part IN the play.
Man. If you are in earnest in your pro-
fessed desire to heal the past, ae2.t
refuse this opportunity
Mr.. Hyslop was not made aware
OF sae identity of the substitute actor
by Barth, and it was only after the,
play had begun that she began te,
suspect. and then knew to certainty
that it was her husband who shared
with her the two leading characters
In the drama. She paled, she tremb-
led. but, actresslike, she went through
the ordeal. immersed 10 doing justice
to her role.
II was In the final act, however.
when "the wanderer" returned to his
family after long separation. that
she broke down. In sne play the hus-
band and father steals In upon his be-
loved child and reveals himself and
together they weep with JOY over his
return.
The little one did not recognize him.
but Arden Hyslop played the prodigaI
father with fervor and pathos that
held the whole audience spellbound.