Part 8 (2/2)
”Do you object to theatricals?” he asked
”Not in the least, excepting froainst your company is that you contemplate the h,” suggested Desmond O'Connor, ”than to be content with second-rate melodrama We have a capable instructor, and we are very humble, I assure you Our attitude is one of deprecation; be merciful our prayer”
”Do you deservenone? But let that pass You at least, I a the passable players But Ebenezer Brown abhors plays and players; he detests billiards and cards; strong drink is anathema to him How can you expect to keep your position--an actor, a billiard player, exponent of bridge, and one who shouts and is shouted?”
”I can only rely upon your support All these things are harmless,” said the reporter
”Undoubtedly harards horses, cards and billiards ; he cannot discriminate between cards as a pleasant relaxation and as adrink he associates with other vices If you were a good and prudent young man, you would hide your vices under a pious exterior--for home consumption”
”Hypocrisy!” cried Des than a hypocrite What right has old Ebenezer Brown to co piety? Have you heard his history?”
”snatches of it,” said Cairns ”It is the history of many other successful men”
”He is a robber, a mere bird of prey He has built on the ruins of s and orphans' The whole town knohat he is, and he deceives noGifford and hihty?”
A sound behind them, half a cry and half a curse, caused the two men to turn towards the door There stood Ebenezer Brown, his accustoed to an unhealthy purple
”Go!” he cried, barely able to articulate the word in his rage, as he pointed an attenuated finger towards the door ”You are an insubordinate young dog! Go at once!”
”One minute, Mr Brown I warned you that no one should disoes, I follow hiasped the old man ”There are others as clever as you, and infinitely less expensive You ungrateful young scapegrace!” he added, turning on Desmond, ”I have been a friend to you and to your family But for me you would have starved”
With this he stalked out of the office, leaving the otherbroadly in each other's faces at this outburst of ie
”I am a stubborn sort of person,” said Cairns, ”and I rather like this locality Shall we stay in Grey Town and fight him?”
Desht hiht--no, to- man I must see one or two men of business in the town AfterEbenezer”
”Shall we take the old man at his word, and leave him in the lurch? Do you think he could run 'The Observer' for himself?” asked Desmond
”No, Desmond; here I stay until he finds a successor I love the old 'Observer,' and I am responsible for it while I ree out of the ancient sinner”
That day the work proceeded as usual During the course of it a man came into the office and asked for Desly face, surmounted by curly black hair He was tanned by the sun, and his blue-grey Irish eyes peeped out fros of his face He had a deterle with the world, and of success in that battle
”You are O'Connor?” he asked Des lost and recently returned Did Miss O'Connor speak of me?”