The commonwealth., 1907-09-20

Daniel Sutton looked up impatientll
from a desk literally loaded down.
We'll, what is it?" he demanded.
is this Mr.. Sutton?" She was
handsome creature. tall and willowy
with masses OF red gold hair and
nose that was the Quintessence o.
impudent sauciness,
Yes. that's my name" he replied
sharply, "and what Is more, | an
busy"
so IL would seen." said the girl
quietly seating herself You are too
occupied to even be polite"
He gave her penetrating glance
from beneath his heavy eyebrows
and for the first time noticed she was
evidently from a station above those
wFo usually came to him In quest Of q
position ON the stage, He was sure
that was her errand, he had seen too
many to be mistaken, only this one
was pretty. refined and possessed of a
charming impudence.
I'm Miss Lockvo cod" said the girl
in answer to his glance. Lillian
Lockwood
oh, so you are the Lockwood girl?'
he exclaimed. You have called sew
eral times before"
Yes replied Lillian, IF | am not
mistaken this Is about the eighth time.
I've called and sent up my card, only
to be told that you were out, or too
busy to see me-"
And who let you up this morning?"
mo one. came up without permis-
sion. ! was tired of being sent away"
well, now you are here. what do
you want?"
"A position on the stage In one Of
your companies" replied Lillian, and
| am willing to begin In minor part"
There are no minor parts open" :"
replied Manager Sutton, shortly
in that case, am very willing to
begin at the top replied his visitor
quietly.
"Hump!" snorted Sutton. What do
you think you can dot"
Il think can play the part of any
one of Shakespeare's herolnes," said
Lillian biting her lips to keep from
smiling at the audacity OF her reply.
That was too much for Dan sutton's
patience.
Young woman" he fairly beloved,
I'm hanged II you aint got gall,
Don't you know that to play those
parts you speak of requires great
beauty and transcendent genius2"
mo" replied Lillian, who was be-
ginning to lose her temper. II don't
know anything Of the sort, I've seen
people playing shakespearian roles
who didn't possess either one of the
qualifications you mention
Then they had brass!" he cried,
"and there Is blamed sight too many
OF them.
"But how do you know" exclaimed
Lillian, that don't possess transcen-
dent genius?"
Manager Sutton gave her wither
ing look. The girl did not wither.
How do know" he went on after
a moments pause, I've seen thou
sands just like you The woods are
full Of em, Because you are pretty
you think you could make tragedy
queen. II takes more than mere beau
ty to do that, besides merely pretty
face seldom has any brains behind It."
"oh, thank YOU cried Lillian rising
In hot wrath.
ton good humoredly. you possess
If you have no genius,
and then you can't always Judge by
persons looks, So, II you want to
try It, I'll take you on as an extra
lady. There is drama being rehears-
ed now IN which there Is a rabbIe.
You can come and be a part OF It,"
"He was awful" confided Lillian to
her friend Florence Burton, over their
afternoon tea, "but have agreed to
be an extra lady"
"An extra lady!" exclaimed Mrs.
Burton. "You don't mean a supcrnu.
"Yes. think that would be the cor.
'ect word" replied Lillian.
"But Lillian. you wouldn't wear
tights, would your" gasped Mrs. Bur
on, turning pink and then white.
Il haven't such dreadful bad fig |
ire" and Lillian drew her bright face
iown into sober lines. But have no
ears, this is a drama. shall appear
n rags and down at heel"
Suppose Dick we're to see your"
Il don't know that I am always
,ound to consider Dick Norton" and
4illians short nose took on an extra
,urve OF sauciness. Besides, shall
wear a wig and dirty face
That's better" breathed Florence,
no one will know you In that guise:
lot even your own mother, and II my
of her serves me Alright
he would decline an introduction"
Yes, poor mamma has always
brown cold water upon my theatrical
SEPARATIONS" unused Lillian.
But to return to Dick" said Mrs.
,urton. do you think you are treat