human
My mother--when shall I see her? Oh, I must go to her at once! I must, I must!
gpt
Of course, Mr. Wattles will give you leave of absence as soon as we tell him what we have discovered.
human
I do not see how he can.
gpt
Why can't he?
human
I have no understudy. No, I must remain; he has been very kind to me, and I could not ask a favor that I knew it would be so very difficult for him to grant.
gpt
That is right, sister. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll telegraph to mother to come on here at once. She will arrive before the evening performance.
human
Do so, brother---- Oh, how strange, yet how delightful, it is to utter that sacred name! But do not tell her the truth until she comes.
gpt
No, indeed. Why, I think the shock would almost kill her. We must break it to her gently.
human
The advance sale, he began,
gpt
No, indeed, Al replied.
human
Everything is all right.
gpt
Well, said Mr. Wattles, when he had finished,
human
And now I must be off to give this story to the papers.
gpt
No, no!
human
Not by any means,
gpt
What do you mean?
human
We mean, said Al,
gpt
But, my dear boy, think--only think--what a grand ad. it would make for the show!
human
No matter; we don't want a word printed about it.
gpt
Of course not, said the actress.
human
I should think you would understand our feelings in the matter, Mr. Wattles.
gpt
Well, I don't, returned the manager, evidently chagrined.
human
I cannot, to save my life, see why you are willing to throw away such a chance for a stunning free ad. Nor --addressing Al--
gpt
I almost forgot that I had a letter for you, Miss March. Here it is, and I think I know the handwriting.
human
It is from that wretch, Farley!
gpt
So I thought, said Mr. Wattles.
human
You had better look out for that man, my dear. He is, or thinks he is, desperately in love with you, and he may give you some trouble yet. If you don't mind, I should like to know the contents of that letter. Believe me, it is not from mere idle curiosity that I ask you to let me read it.
gpt
I know that, Mr. Wattles, said Miss March.
human
Ever since I have been in your company you have been like a father to me. You shall open the letter yourself if you will.
gpt
The scoundrel! he muttered, crushing the letter in his hand;
human
What does he say?
gpt
It will do you no good to know the contents of this precious epistle, replied Mr. Wattles.
human
You had better let me destroy it.
gpt
Well, if you will have it, said the manager, resignedly,
human
I'll read it to you. But if you don't sleep nights for the next week or two you mustn't blame me.
gpt
Go on, go on!
human
GLADYS: This is to remind you that, although we are separated, I am near you. Do you remember what I told you the last time we met, that no power on earth could make me give you up? I meant what I said, I mean it still. I am not far away; you will see me sooner than you think.
gpt
Is there no signature?
human
None, but there can be no doubt as to the identity of the writer.
gpt
Of course not.
human
I don't want to alarm you, my dear, but you ought to be very careful.
gpt
I shall be.
human
I don't think there is much danger, he said.
gpt
That letter sounds like an extract from a sensational novel. A barking dog never bites, you know.
human
I don't know anything of the sort, returned Mr. Wattles.
gpt
Some barking dogs do bite; and this one, as you have reason to know yourself, has sharp teeth. Well, just let me lay my hands on him and I'll settle him in short order.
human
What will you do?
gpt
First, as I said before, I'll give him a sound thrashing. Oh, you may laugh, but I can do it, if I am not a boy. And then I'll hand him over to the authorities. By Jove! I had no idea that the fellow was such a scoundrel when he was in my employ, or I wouldn't have kept him an hour. But now I really must be off. Do your best to-night, Miss March; you'll have one of the biggest houses of the season--thanks to the exertions of that sharp young brother of yours.
human
Brother! the girl said, softly.
gpt
How sweet the name sounds. To think that I have a brother! And a mother!
human
Don't cry--please don't!
gpt
They are tears of joy, brother. And now you must go and send the telegram.