The Photo Playwright (Apr-Dec 1912)

of St. John, for which he sat years ago. Beating his breast in terror, he cries, "I posed for that picture of St. John, the Divine !" In his delirium, the wretched sot falls dead. As the hand of the grim messenger smoothes the pallid features, the artist recognizes the semblance of his child. — Mrs. Breuil, Authoress. THE UNEXPECTED HONEYMOON (Nov. 18).— Newly married Thomas and Mary MacGregor attend the village fair on their honeymoon. Thomas in his kilties with his bagpipes slung across his shoulder proudly escorts his blushing bride about the grounds from booth to booth. The Balloon Ascension is advertised for the afternoon. Everything Is in readiness and Mary, with a woman's curiosity, induces Thomas to enter the basket of the balloon. She enjoys the novelty and thinks she will have something to tell her neighbors. She does, and more too ; for some mischievous boys cut the ropes holding the balloon and it rises, taking the pair on a honeymoon trip, entirely unexpected. They travel fast and long until the balloon collapses upon a desert island, among a tribe of cannibals who think the couple are gods descended from the skies. Thomas recognizes this and acts the part. He plays his bag-pipes and they all dance right merrily. He deposes the king and r:tns things with a high hand. The natives, however, as they become better acquainted with Thomas and Mary, realize that they are only human beiugs like themselves. They decide to put an end to their reign and begin preparations for then execution and cooking. The night before the day they are to be put to death, Thomas and Mary escape to the seashore where they -bail a passing vessel which lands a boat loaded with men, who rescue the terrified couple, for they are almost within the grasp of the hungry cannibals, in hot pursuit. — Rose Tapley, Authoress. ROMANCE OF A RICKSHAW (Nov. 10).— Mabel, the beautiful daughter of General Lewis, has considerable variety of her love affairs when she finds herself loved by Lieutenant Graham, of her father's staff, and very much sought after by a rich Indian Rajah, whom she meets at a garden party. The Rajah proposes, but is refused. He abducts her. Dennis, Graham's servant, meets the abductors and picks up Mabel's locket, which she drops. He hastens to the Lieutenant and tells him what he saw. Graham, with Dennis, and another soldier, determine to rescue Mabel from the hands of the Rajah. They go to bis palace, find the rickshaw in which she was abducted and some Hindoo raiment. They disguise themselves ; Dennis making up as a Hindoo Medicine Doctor. They gain entrance to the Rajah's presence. Dennis, with incantations and salutations, demands the presence of the foreign maiden whom they have in their midst. When Mabel appears, Lieutenant Graham draws a brace of revolvers from the folds of bis robe and, taking the Rajah and his attendants unawares, they hurry from the room, place Mabel in the rickshaw which they had left at the door and are far on their way to the Military Post before the astonished Rajah can follow in pursuit. Safely reaching General Lewis's headquarters, Mabel is placed in her father's arms. The General acknowledges Graham's courage and gladly consents to his and Mabel's marriage. — W. L. Tremayne, Author. TIMID MAY (Nov. 20). — May arrives at the Bullshed Ranch. She Is so timid and shy that she is almost frightened to death by the cowboys' revolvers and rough appearance. While all the other boy? consider her a joke, Steve, a good-natured fellow, thinks she is just about right. Shortly after her arrival, there is a reward offered for the capture of a desperado. The sheriff, her uncle, and his men start in pursuit. Steve accidentally happens to get in his way, and both he and the desperado are so surprised they separate in opposite directions. May sees the desperado approaching her. The bad man appeals to her for refuge. She tells him to go in the barn, which is also used as a jail by the sheriff. She locks him in and when the sheriff and his men return, they find their man in jail, thanks to Timid May. Steve, scared to death, arrives on the scene before the posse, and when they arrive takes part of the credit. May is so bashful and so overcome by his assumed heroism, she falls into his arms and throws darts of love into his soul. — Royal A. Baker, Author. • DARKTOWN DUEL (Nov. 20). — "She sho' is some belle," and no wonder she provokes a quarrel between Eph Johnson and Ra&tus Simpson, who are rivals for her hand. "Since we cannot fight with weapons, I challenge you to a watermelon duel, the winner takes the lady," says Rastus to Eph. The contest is arranged, and the duel begins. They certainly punish the watermelons. 85