Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-03-02
I. ss@@@ 90 q g 9 Q I
/ BACK of THE !
| BURNT CORK /:
| By Epes W. Sargent E
II ,nnr hu f W. Sdf1Jeflt | =,
. y $ 8 . = = = q p 2 q q q S
Nv Foes W. Sargent
init. 1901, by E. W. Saryent

.be cubbyhole styieu u! y 'oui 'eSS "
dressing room. ~ l.,
r. was Hetherington nrsI seasoh III
,s,-iua and after a long run as
slno man with one of the New York
Eau ,- oomnanies the facilities provided
s'OtA ,,,ors nj the Apollo theater in
san francisco did not appeal TO MS
Na,nouhat fastidious tastes.
Tbe person to whom he addressed
,,,t.arsofIon was a fellow perform
evidently minstrel monologlst
e. tho white of his bare arm showed
- caring contrast to the reddish pig
mon+ which stopped half way down
tbo neck concealing his features as ef'
Sao+rolIy as if he wore mask. Heth-
.s,rrton had winning manner with
Ian and women alike, yet after a
-,,rbt start at first sound of the voice
sho original occupant of the room gave
sion of recognition save a curt "All
ricbt" as he moved his makeup mate
r,sls TO give the other more space on
.ho Main board shelf which ran along
one side of the wall.
Hetherington lit cigarette in direct
defiance of the placard tackled above
+ba electric light and was seated be-
fore the mirror, making up, before he
ettempted to renew the conversation.
silence irritated him, and it was more
n 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 invi-
tation for moment while he struggled
with a pair of tight fitting green trou-
sers Finally, having adjusted the sus-
penders, he turned coldly with
Il don't think there is much in a
name. Mine is Brown-Phil Brown-if
you want it for the programme. l 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 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 l 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 is now
but 1t wasn't Brown them
By this time Hetherington was fully
dressed, and with 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 curtain call he went direct
~ to his dressing room. He had
promised to meet party of friends at
the Bohemian club, and Miss Lancas-
Ter, known in private life as Mrs.
Hetherington, 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
mad quite forgotten his curious room
mate.
IL was lonely enough in the dressing
room now, for most of the performers
VINO were quartered In that vicinity Of
tne house Were early on the bill. and
no friendly lights shone from their
rooms as he passed.
lie had almost completed his toilet
Tor the street when Brown came down
from the stage. perspiration streaming
from his face as the result of his exer-
IONS Hetherington merely glanced
round and promptly returned to the in
uicacies Of new tie. Suddenly his
ear caught 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 monologist and the fash of his
eye made Hetherington feel strangely
nervous.
i say. old chap. what's the mat
.efr' he asked in carefully modulated
tones.
Brown regarded him silently for a
moment, then replied slowly:
-. thought that possibly you might
IKE to watch me take of my makeup"
Nonsense, returned the other sharp
" washing up is no novelty to q
performer of fourteen years expert
ence' and besides I'm in a hurry to
meet some friends at the Bohemian
club"