Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-04-15
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! BACK of THE |;
!: BURNT CORK |;
: By Epes w. Sargent 1
] Copyright, 1901. by Z. W. Sargent
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BY Epes w. Sargent
Copyright, 1901, by Z. W. Sargent

the cubbyhole styled by courtesy a
dressing room.
1t was Hetherington's first season in
vaudeville. and after a 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 a 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 if he wore mask. Heth-
erington had q winning manner with
men and women alike, yet after
slight start at first sound Of the voice
the original occupant of the room gave
no sign of recognition save curt "All
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 HetherlngtOn. 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 Lam
caster. Now that I've introduced my
self may ask
The monologist dlsregarded this invi-
taton for moment while he struggled
with a pair of tight fitting green trou-
sers. Finally, having adjusted the sus-
penders. he turned colby with:
~ don't think there is much in a
name Mine is Brown-Phil Brown-if
you want it for the programme. fill
in the stage in one while they're strik-
ing your set and getting ready for the
acrobatic act to close with"
HetheringtOn carefully outlined his
eyebrows with black crayon before he
replied with a light laugh; Brown
seems rather funny for stage use when
you can pick out q name to suit your
SELF But it matches your makeup and
is as good as any other to travel by.
1t seems to me that if you are going to
follow me either am beastly late or
you are horribly early, and, by the
gay, thought Glenroy followed our
act"
"GlenFoy 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 thing
the manager remembers the time when
my name was worth as much on an
eastern programme as yours is now
but ii 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
partner before the act opened. After
taking their cartaip call he went direct
ly to his dressing qoo11. He had
promised to meet party Of friends at
the Bohemian club, and Miss Lanoas-
ter, known in private life as Mrs.
Hetherington, was going to the hotel
alone. A brief kiss and q laughing
promise to be home by morning had
marked theiY 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 CHARTERED In that vicinity Of
the house were early on the bill, and
no friendly lights shone from their /
rooms as he passed.
lie had almost completed bis toilet /
for the street when Brown came down /
from the stage. pcrspiration streaming
from his face as the result Of his exef- /
tons. Hcthcrington merely glanced
round and promptly returned to the In
tidoacies OF q new tie Suddenly his
ear caught a sharp click. and he looked
up In astonishment to see Brown lock-
ing the door and slipping the key In his
pocket. Something In tie tense pose
of the monologist and the fash Of bis
eye made Hetherington feel strangely
nervous.
u say, old chap. what's the mat
teri" he Rske6 IN carefully modulated
tones.
Brown regarded him silently for
then replied slowly:
al thought that possibly you might
like to watch me take off my makeup"
"Nonsensc. returned the other sharp
ly. washing up is no novelty to @
performer Of fourteen years expert
e1ce, and besides I'm in hurry to
meet some friends at the Bohemian
tlub"
Eyes. so | heard you teii-your-yOur
wife"
Hetheriugton stood ready now. hal
md gloves in hand He was becoming
impatient.
Come unlock that door"
Without replying Brown stripped off
The gaudy shirt and placed 1t on the
hook above the already discarded coat
ana ,est. Below the short sleeves Of
lis undershirt rose superb biceps, and
here was something almost cOntemp-
.uOus in the glance he turned on the
lighter and more elegant build Of biz
"You will find, Hetherington," he ,,
=. "a no no doxrn In front of his |