Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-10-11
The Spoilers.
Bv REX e. BEACH,.
:. copyriaht 1905. E.


braces. At last the high bulk of the
theater building doomed short DIS
lance ahead Painting and frightened,
she tried the door with weak hanus, 10
find it locked. From behind it rose the
blare of brass and the sound or sing
ing. She accosted n man who approach
ed her through the narrow alley, but he
had cluised from the charted course IN
search Of adventure and was not mind
ed to go In quest Of doormen; rather,
he chose to sing cllantey. to the bibu-
lous measures of which he invited her
to dance with him, SO she slipped away
till he had teetered past. He was some
longshoremun in that particular epoch
of his inebriety where life had no bur
den save the dissipation Of wages.
Returning. she pounded on the door
possessed of the sense that the man
she sought was here, till at last 1t was
flung open, framing the silhouette of n
slirt-sleeved, thick-set youth, VINO
shouted:
"What n ell do you want to butt III
for while the shows on? 60 round
front" She caught glimpse OF dis
ordered scenery. and before he could
slam the door In her face thrust a sill
yer dollar into his hand, at the same
time wedging herself into the opening
He pocketed the coin and the door
clicked to behind her.
"Well. speak up. The acts closin'.
Evidently he was the directing genius
Of the performance, for at that moment
the chorus broke into full cry, and he
said. hurriedly:
wait a minute. There goes the
finally and dashed away to tend his
drops and switches. When the curtain
was down and the principals had
sought their dressing rooms he re-
turned.
"Do you know Mr. Glenister? she
asked.
Sure 1 seen him tonight. Come
here" He led her toward the foot
lights and pulling back the edge OF
the curtain. allowed her to peep past
him out into the dance hall. She had
never pictured place like this, and in
spite of her agitation was astonished
at its gaudy elegance. The gallery was
formed Of q continuous row of com
partments with curtained fronts, IN
which men and women were talking,
drinking, singing. The seats on the
lower floor were disappearing, and the
canvas cover was rolling back. show
ing the polished hardwood underneath.
while out through the wide folding
room she heard brass lunged man
calling the commencement Of the
dance. Couples glided into motion
while she watched.
81 don't see him., said her guide.
"You better walk out front and help
yourself" He indicated the stairs
which led up to the galleried boxes
and the steps leading down on to the
main floor, but she handed him another
coin, begging him to find Glenister and
bring him to her. Hurry, hurry! she
implored.
The stage manager gazed at her curl
ously, remarking: My! You spend
your money like 1t had been left to
you. You're regular pie check for
me- Come around any time"
She withdrew to a dark corner and
waited unfortunately till her messenger
appeared at the head Of the gallery
stairs and beckoned to her. As she
drew nenr he said: IT told him there
was $1,000 FLY flaggin' him from the
stage door, but he's got crouch an
won't STIR He's in number seven"
She hesitated, at which he said, go
on-you're in right" then continued
reassuringly: Say, pal, If he's your
white haired lad. you needn't start no
rough house, cause he don't t1irt wit
these danes none whatever. Nav!
Take it from me-"
She entered the door her counselor
Indicated to find Roy lounging back
watching the dancers. He turned in
Quiringly-the as she raised her veil,
leaped to his feet and jerked the cur
tains to.
Helen. What are you doing here?"
"You must go away quickly" she
gasped. They're trying to arrest you