Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-09-01

IAN right, just as you say" !
laughed. But why aren't you in the
trust, Fred 0bermuller?"
why aren't you in society. Nance"
'Uml--well. because societys preiu-
diced against lifting. but the trust
isn't Do you know that's great
graft, Mr.. 0bermuller-4lfting whole
sale7 Why don't you get in?"
Because trust is a lot Of sailors on
raft who keep their places by kick
ing OF the drowning hands that clutch
al it. Can you fancy a fellow like
Tausig STOPPING down to help me
tnderly on board TO divide The pick
ings'"
No but ] can fancy you graphing
with him till he'd be glad to take you
on rather than be pulled of himself"
You'd be in with the push. would
you, 0lden. il you we're managing?"
be asked, with a grin.
I'D be at the top, wherever that
was"
Then why the deuce didn't you
jump at Tausig's offer? Were you
really crafty enough"
81 am artistic. NJ. Obermuller,' gut
turaled like Mdlle.. Picotte who dances
on the wire II moost have about me
those who arre-who ARE con-
geniale-"
You monkey" he laughed. Then,
when Tausig comes to buy your con-
tract"
Wen tell him to 90 to thunder"
He laughed. Say Mag. thai big fel-
low is like boy when he's pleased
] guess that's what makes It such fun
to please him.
And |. who admired your business
sagaeity in holding of Nance!" he
said.
81 thought you admired my take-off
vi Mulle. Plcotte.
"Well?"
We'll why don't you make use Of
It? Take me round 10 the theaters
and lei me mimic all. the swell actors
and actresses. I've got more chance
with you than with that trust gang
They wouldn't give me room TO do
my own stunt; they'd make me fit into
theirs. But you"
But me! You think you can wind
me round your fnger?"
'Not-yet."
He chuckled. I thought | had him
going. saw Nance 0Iden spending
her evenings at the big Broadway the
aters, when. just at that minute. Gin
ger. the call-boy. burst in with
note.
Say. Mag, ! wouldn't like TO get that
man 0bermuller hopping mad at me.
and Nancy 0lden's no coward. either.
But the way he gritted his teeth at
that note and the devil in his eyes
when he lifted them from il. made me
woDde: how I'd ever dared be facetious
with him.
got up to go. He'd forgotten me,
but he looked up then.
THAT was a. great suggestion OF
yours, 0lden, to put Lord Gray on to
act himself-great!" His voice shook.
he was so angry.
"Well!P ] snapped wasn't going
to let him see that a big man raging
could bluff Nance 0lden.
What did he mean? Why-just
this: There was Lord Harold Gray.
the real lord behind the scenes. bring
ing the lady who was really only a
chorus girl to the show in his auto
mobile; helping her dress like a maid
holding her box Of jewels as he tagged
after her like a big Newfoundland:
smoking his one cigarette solemnly
and admiringly while she was on the
stage; poking after her like a tame
bear. He's funny fellow, that Lord
Harold. Hes Tom Dorgan. with the
brains and the graft and-and the
brute, too. Mag. washed out OF him: a
Tom Dorgan that's been kept dressed
in swagger clothes all his life and liy-
ing at top-notch-a big. dean, hand
some, stupid, good-natured. overgrown
boy.
Yes, I'm coming TO IT, When I'd
seen him 20 tagging after her chippy
ladyship behind the scenes long
enough, told 0bermuller one day tina:
II was absurd to send the mock lady
out on the boards and keep the live
lord hidden behind He jumped at the
Idea, and they rugged up a little act
for the two-the lord aud the lady
Gray was furious when she heard OF
1t-their making use Of her lord in
such q way-but Lord Harold Just
swallowed his big Adams apple with !
a gulp or two. and said:
Pom honor it's a blawsted scheme
you know; but I'm jolly sure I'd make |
bleddy ass OF myself. ] cawn't act. |
you know"
The ninny! You know he thinks
Gray really can.
But Obermuller explained to him
that he needn't act-just be himself |
out behind the wings and 10! Lord |
Harold was "ehawmed."
And Gray?
Why, she gave in at last; pretended
to, anyway-sliding Que Of the Chart
ty sketch, and rehearsing the thing
with him and all that. And-and do
knOuu bot che lga M