Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-09-21


handsome creature, tall and willowy,
with masses Of red gold hair and a
nose that was the quintessence Of
impudent sauciness.
Yes, that's my name," he replied
sharply, land what is more, l am
busy"
so it would SEEM" said the girl,
quietly seating herself. "You are too
occupiedto 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
who usually came to him in quest of
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
charming impudence.
I'm Miss Lockwood, '@aid 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 permits
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, land
l am willing to begin in minor part"
There are no minor parts open,
replied Manager Sutton, shortly
In that case, l am very willing to
begin at the top" replied his visitor
quietly.
Hump" snorted Sutton. what do
you think you can do?"
II think I can play the part of any
one of Shakespeare's heroines," said
Lillian biting her lips to keep from
smiling at the audacity of her reply.
That was too much for Dan Sutton's
patience.
"Yofffp woman he fairly beloved,
I'm 'hafged if you amt got gall.
Don't you know that to play those
parts you speak of requires great
beauty and transcendent genius?'
NO." 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 a wither-
ing look. The girl did not wither.
How do 1 know" he went on after
a moments pause, 1--WE seen thou
sands just like you. The woods are
full Of 'em. Because you are pretty
you think you could make tragedy
queen. 1t 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.
mot at all, not at ALI" cried SUIT
ton good humoredly. you possess
perseverance, If you have no genius,
and then you can't always judge by
persons looks. So, if you want to
try 1t, I'll take you on as an extra
lady. There is drama being rehears-
You can come and be part of it,"
He was awful" confided Lillian to
her friend Florence Burton, over their
afternoon tea, but l have agreed to
be an extra lady,"
IAN extra lady!" exclaimed Mrs.
Burton. you don't mean a supernu-
merary?"
yes, 1 think that would be the cor
rect word" replied Lillian.
But Lillian, you wouldn't wear
tights, would your" gasped Mrs. Bur
ton, turning pink and then white.
II haven't such a dreadful bad fig
ure," and Lillian drew her bright face
down into sober lines. But have no
fears, this is a drama l shall appear
in rags and down at heel"
Suppose Dick were to see your
II don't know that | am always
bound to consider Dick Norton and
Lillian's short nose took on an extra
curve OF sauciness. Besides, shall
wear wig and dirty face"
r. That's BETTER" breathed Florence,
the will know you in that guise;
fSs even your own mother, and If my
knowledge of her serves me Alright
she would decline an Introduction"
Yes, poor mamma has always
thrown cold water upon my theatrical
aspirations" unused Lillian.
But to return 10 Dick" said Mrs.
Burton. do you think you are treat
tng him quite right? You must have
seen by this time how much he cares
for you; everyone else has"