Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-03-06
s a. q q = q go e y @N
BACK Of THE /
BURNT CORK 4
BY Epes W. SARGENT Ii
CopvrtVht, 1901. nv Il. ". Sargent y
n Is 81 81 81 81 III Ss 81 ~ 81 ~
oopvrtoht, 1901, nv Il. ". Sargent


"Sorry to disturb you, old chap, but
am to share this pen with you for the
next two weeks" And Frank Hether-
ington regarded with unfeigned disgust
the cubbyhole styled by courtesy u
dressing room.
1t was Hetherington's first season In
vaudeville, and after long run as
leading man with one OF the New York
stock companies the facilities provided
performers at the Apollo theater In
San Francisco did not appeal to his
somewhat fastidious tastes.
The person to whom he addressed
his conversation was fellow perform.
er, evidently minstrel monologist,
since the white of his bare arm showed
In glaring contrast to the reddish pig
ment which stopped half way down
the neck. concealing his features as eff
fectually as IL he wore mask. Heth-
erington had a winning manner with
men and women alike. yet after II
slight start at first sound Of the voice
the original occupant Of the room gave
no sign of recognition save a curt "Ali
right" as he moved his makeup mate.
rails to give the other more space ON
the plain board shelf which ran along
one side of the wall.
Hetherington lit cigarette In direct
defiance of the placard tackled above
the electric light and was seated be-
fore the mirror. making up, before he
attempted to renew the conversation
Silence irritated him, and 1t was more
to break the monotony than to gain the
friendship Of his companion that he
commenced to talk.
"As long as we're to share this box
stall for the next two weeks we might
as well know each others name. Mine
is Hetherington. I'm new to this end
Of the business. but have some small
reputation in the east as an actor. I'm
doing a sketch with Miss Phyllis Ian
caster. Now that I've introduced my
self may ask
The monologist disregarded this invl-
tation for n moment while he struggled
with a pair of tight fitting green trou-
sers. Finally, having adjusted the sus-
penders, he turned coldly with:
81 don't think there is much I'm a
name. Mine Is Brown-Phil Brown-if
you want 1t for the programme. | fill
in the stage In one while they're strlk-
ing your set and getting ready for the
acrobatc act to close with"
Hetherington carefully outlined his
eyebrows with black crayon before he
replied with light laugh: Brown
seems rather funny for stage use when
you can pick out name to suit your
self But 1t matches your makeup and
is as good as any other to travel by.
1t seems to me that II you are going to
follow me either am beastly late or
you are horribly early, and, by the
way, thought Glenroy followed our
act"
"Glenroy was switched to Los An
geles, and they brought me down from
the Chutes. Yes, I've been playing the
Chutes and the free house. the Olym-
pic, the past three weeks, yeti think
the manager remembers the time when
my name was worth as much on an
eastern programme as yours Ia now
but 1t wasn't Brown then"
BY this time Hetherington was fully
dressed, and with a careless remark
that he trusted they'd get along well
during the week he carefully stamped
out the glowing end Of his second Gig
arctic and climbed the rickety stairs
which led to the stage.
There was trouble with the setting
for his turn. and In the excitement OF
Strengthening the matter out there was
little time for conversation with his
taking their curtain call he went direct.
ly to his dressing room. He had
promised TO meet a pnrty OF friends ut
the Bohemian club, and Miss Lancas-
ter, known In private life as Mrs.
Hetherlngt0n, was going to the hotel
alone. A brief kiss and laughing
promise to be home by morning had
marked their parting in the wings. He
had quite forgotten his curious room
mate.
1t was lonely enough In the dressing
room now. for most Of the performers
who were quaTtered In that vicinity Of
the house were early on the bill. and
no friendly lights shone from their
rooms ms he passed.
lie had almost completed his toilet
for the street when Brown came down
from the stage Precipitation streaming
from his face M the result OF his eycr.
tons HcthcringtoD merely glanced
round and promptly returned to the In
tricacies OF n new tie. Suddenly his
ear caught n sharp click, and he looked
up in establishment to see Brown lock
Ing the door and slipping the key In his
pocket. Something In the tense pose
Of the monologlst and the fash Of his
eye made Hetherlngton feel strangely
nervous.
terr' he asked In carefully modulnted
tones.
Brown regarded him silently for a
moment. then replied slowly:
~ thought that possibly you might
like to watch me take or my makeup"
Nonsense" returned the other sharp
ly. washing up Is no novelty 10 n
performer OF fourteen years eNpIl
,ence. and besides I'm In a hurry to
meet some friends at the Bohemian
club"
"Yes, so henrd you tell-your- your
wife"
Hetberln0ton stood ready now. hat
and gloves In hand. lie was becoming
Impatient.
Come, unlock that door"
Without 'eplylng Brown stripped on
the gaudy shirt and placed II on the
hook above the already discarded cont
and vest Below the short sleeves Of
bis undershirt rose superb bicepe, and
there was something almost contemp-
tuous In the glance he turned on the
lighter and more elegant build Of his
companion.
you win hnd, Hetherlngton." he
said as he sat down n front Of his
glass and reached for the cold cream,
that even " the fctor Of fourteen
years expert .DcSthere are times when
the removal n mans makeup II Ike
tearing the veil from the long dead
past"
Naturalization scotUtod onI laid N de