Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-18

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 a funny fellow, that Lord Harold. He's 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 liv- ing at top-notch-a big, clean, hand some, stupid, good-natured, overgrown boy
 Yes, I'm coming to it. When I'd seen him go tagging after her chippy ladyship behind the scenes long enough, l told Obermuller one day that it 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 rigged up little act for the two-the lord and the lady. Gray was furious when she heard of it-their making use of her lord in such a way-but Lord Harold just swallowed his big Adams apple with gulp or two, and said:
 "'Pon honor, it's blawSted scheme, you know; but I'm jolly sure I'd make a bleddy ass of myself. I 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 l Harold was "chawmed." And Gray?
 Why, she gave in at last; pretended to, anyway-sliding out of the Chari- ty sketch, and rehearsing the thing with him. and all that. And-and do you know what she did, Mag? (Nance Olden may be pretty mean, but she wouldn't do a trick like that.) She waited till ten minutes before time for the thing to be put on and then threw fit.
 She's so i'll. her delicate 1adyship! So ill she just can't go on this even- ingl Wonder how long she thinks such an excuse will keep Lord Harold off when I want him on!" growled Obermuller, throwing her note over to me. He'd have liked to throw it at me if it'd been heavy enough to hurt; he was so humping mad.
 You see, there it was on the pro- gramme:
 THE CLEVER SKETCH ENTITLED THEATRICAL ARISTOCRACY. The Duke of Portmanteau. .......... Lord Harold Gray The Duchess ................... Lady Gray
 The celebrated Gray jewels, includ- ing the great Rose Diamond, will be worn by Lady Gray in this number.
 
 No wonder Obermuller was raging. looked at him. You don't like to tackle a fellow like that when he's dancing hot. And yet you ache to help him and-yes, yourself.
 Lord Harolds here yet, and the jewels?' I asked
 He gave a short nod. He was think ing. But so was I.
 "Then all he wants is Lady?" That's all" he said, sarcastically. Well. what's the matter with me-" He gasped.
 There's nothing the matter with your nerve, Olden."
 Thank you, so much" It was. the way Gray says it when she tries to have an English accent. Dress me up, Fred Obermuller, in Gray's new silk gown and the Gray jewels, and you'd never"
 "I'd never set eyes on you again"
 You'd never know, if you were in the audience. that it wasn't Gray her self. I can take her off to the life, and if the prompter'll stand by"
 He looked at me for a full minute.
 "Try it. Olden," he said.
 ulu Ht" to pldy uitSSihS- room. She'd gone home deathly ill, of course They gave me the best seamstress in the place. She let out the waist bit and pulled over the lace to cover it I got into that mass of silk and lace-oh. silk on silk, and Nance Olden inside! Beryl Blackburn did my hair. and Grace Weston put on my slippers Topham. himself. hung me with those gorgeous shining dia- monds and pearls and emeralds. till felt like an idol loaded with booty. There were so many standing round me. rigging me up, that l didn't get a glimpse of the mirror till the second before Ginger called me But in that