The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-28
THE EVENING STORY
Little BrigI1teyes.
(By Louise Nurriaeld. }


That was what Davis had nick
l-amed her at the first rehearsal of
'F'lim-Flam.'' She was the scrawn-
lest, homeliest girl in the chorus when
the girls lined up for first inspection,
and happened to land in the middle at
the lineup. Davis spotted her, and
called out before everybody in the
pleasant, merry little way he had:
That viii do for yours, Little
Brighteyes. Never mind about taking
the center. Well save the spot light
when you're around. The back row
for yours" ~
Everybody. turned to take a good
look at Little Brighteyes before the
back row swallowed her forever. She
was about thirty, a slim little woman
with big gray eyes, and dark hair. 1t
was a point of beauty in its own way.
as Minnehaha's ever was, but she had
trfel to Marcel 1t into shape with a
home applied curling iron to make her
look professional and it was a sight.
But she took her medicine bravely,
and even Davis recognized the grit in
her.
It was her best asset in the after
days, that grit. 1t carried her through
all of Davis's major and minor tan
trums and the teasing from the other
girls. She said little, and worked
hard, but the nickname that Davis
had given her that first day stuck
fast, Even Jennie Reynolds. the ward
robe woman, caught it, and when she
was handing out the costumes to the
girls she tossed a bunch across the
room and called out cheerfully:
Here you go, Brighteyes."
And Little Brighteyes just laughed
drawn the least artistic clothes in the
lot. 1t didn't matter, when one was
only the fourth girl in the last row
back. She did as Davis had told her,
and kept out of the spot light.
THAT girls an old timer Davis re-
marked to Vida Lorne as the two stood
in the first entrance the opening night
and watched the girls take big en-
core on the "Rattlebang" song. There
were sixteen picked out from the lit
was one of them. 1t was jolly,
swinging, drummer-boy chorus, and
took the minute it hit the house. The
girls were all in scarlet and black,
eyes was beating hers for sure, no
make believe. The rouge helped her
lots, and SO did the red and black cos
tune. Her head was held high. just
a bit a-tilt, and her lips were parted in
a smile.
Marshall, Nick Marshall that was,
the manager, was beside Vida. He
watched the skinny little figure on the
end thoughtfully as the girls went off.
''She's all right he said. Put her
on to lead tomorrow night in that
chorus, Davis, and see how she goes.
She's on the ropes all right"
Vida leaned forward to get a better
look.
i've seen that girl somewhere.
Nick" she said. Look at her now
with that drum. And the way she
steps. Who is she ~
Little Brighteyes." laughed Davis.
way. but she's an old-timer all right"
Vida laughed. too, as Marshall
walked around with her to the big
white automobile in which she made
her first entrance. The first act showed
a mountain scene in a country any
where between italy and China. The
beautiful American heiress was doing
the touring stunt all over Europe, and
the prince of the country was In love
with her. He had followed the lead of
the white automobile all over the map,
and finally had induced the girl to pay
a visit to his own land. She feared
possible banditti. He assured her the
red and black drummer boys and the
And all the time. of course. he merely
wanted to get her over the border.
abduot her. shut her up in the castled
steep fortress (Act I'D and starve her
stingy little treasury with coolies of
American coin. 1t was a rehash. but
1t went with q bang. Even before
Vida's entrance the thing was sure
Gus.
"Be careful and don't lose your
head when you take that rum" he said.
as he stood beside the auto while Vida
was helped in. 1t was a good trick,
that first entrance of the American
girl. They had a mechanical arrange
ment for the auto to scorch down the
pass, and it looked as
though 1t was going straight over the
footlights. There were four turns to
Z ha Oh
right in the center of the stage in a
self-locking frog, and made a mighty
effective picture.
-'There isn't a bit of danger" an
swered Vida, drawing on her white |
gauntlets. I'm just as cool as can be. |
Not a bit ratified. thank you. Let her
co.
There was the seconds pause in the |
orchestra then the crash of entrance |
music and they released the machine. |
1t took the incline like boys coaster, !
smooth and swift and easy. Davis was
white but Marshall Stroked his Van |
he watched the car and its occupant. 1t
was dangerous trick. but it brought !
down the house.
Marshall stared at Vida. Under the |
knew she was scared. When she came |
off the stage she sent for him.
Nick, I won't go through that |
again not if the whole show goes to |
pieces. / simply can't. 1t Is terr1ble. !
why, it would be like dying every |
night 1 won't ride in that thing /
again"
Davis suggested a dummy, but Mar
shall wouldn't stand for any fake. The |
girl in the machine must be alive And |
suddenly Davis suggested Little |
"She's got the same air and build as
Miss Lorne, and you can hide the face |
with a veil. Change the scene so as
to carry off the auto long enough for
the two to change places after the run,
and there YOU are. And she's the only
girl know who has the grit to do it."
Che had the crit If meant a dOl1h- |