grasp.  At that moment Bill comes up, takes in the situation, seizes the treacherous manager, and flings him into the devouring flames.  Then Bill assists you to carry Mignon through the suffocating smoke out to safety, but as you disappear the now dying manager draws his revolver and fires after you.  You are struck by the bullet, but bear up until, with Bill’s help, you have brought Mignon out of danger.  Then you faint away.”

“Not till then?” said Percy.

“No, not till then.  The last scene of all will be your wedding at the church.  Mignon, of course, is the bride, and Bill is your best man.  You see, he retrieved his character by the aid given at the factory fire, and you have forgiven him the murder of his uncle.  Oh, and, by the way, you wouldn’t have to be really shot at the rehearsals, you know.”

“That’s fine!” said Percy.  “When would you like me to start?”

“A week from now.”

“Good.  That will give me a nice opportunity to get fit, and to have one last good time in case any unforeseen mishap should occur in the course of rehearsal.  Of course I see no reason whatever to anticipate any accident, but they have been known to happen under circumstances even more commonplace, if that were possible.”

* * * * *

The eviction of an enemy in our midst.

[Illustration:  British matron, in A spasm of patriotism, decides to get rid of her German Piano.  Messrs.  Dugout and Co.  Undertake to remove it.]

[Illustration:  “Now, then, when I SES, ‘to me!’”]

[Illustration:  “To me!”]

The eviction of an enemy in our midst.

[Illustration:  “To YOU! FROM ME!”]

[Illustration:  THE SPIRIT OF FRIGHTFULNESS ACTIVE TO THE VERY END.]

[Illustration:  PEACE—­AT A PRICE.]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  MESOPOTAMIA.

Tommy (to Padre, who has been telling him about the Scriptural associations connected with the country).  “SUPPOSED TO BE THE GARDEN OF EDEN, IS IT, SIR?  WELL, IT WOULDN’T TAKE NO FLAMIN’ SWORD TO KEEP ME OUT OF IT.”]

* * * * *

THE TRUCE—­AND AFTER.

[Lines alleged to have been recently found on the back of a miniature target (of which only the bull’s-eye was perforated), and believed to be the work of a private in the County of London Volunteer Regiment.]

[Illustration]

  This year at ease on Ben Macquhair
    Couches a certain stag;
  Fearless he sniffs his native air
  Because he knows I can’t be there
    To scare him off his crag.