Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-15
TheReal Man By MARTHA
 COED SANFORD. Copyright. 1908. by Associated Lit
 erary Press.
Polly was to take part in an amateur

III eTdTy FTtSb. II Polly was to take part in an amateur play.
 "It's such fun" she announced on the evening of the first rehearsal. ito act with real men. At school. you know well. at school we didn't have any real men,"
 The real men" laughed. There were three of them. Two were old friends and admirers of Polly. The third, Brad ley Rogers. she approved the moment he was introduced to her.
 Well" asked Polly gayly, looking over the printed cast in her hand. (which of you is my loverT'
 Solemnly, with hands on their hearts, all three bowed.
 You are all very silly" said Polly. bIushing. Now. please be serious, Which of you is to be Captain Wheel CT, Claire's lover. absent on the feld?" she continued. reading from the play.
 'T am cast for that unfortunate part" Bert Crawford answered.
 Unfortunate" queried Polly. and she raised her pretty eyebrows haugh- tily.
 "Unfortunate," Bert hastened to ex- plain, because absent on the field for two whole acts, you notice. gives these other fellows too much chance to cut me out"
 "Oh," smiled Polly graciously. "then Mir. Marshall and MT. Rogers are rivals for my hand, too-Claire's hand, l mean"
 "No; haven't the pleasure" sighed Jim Marshall. Tm only your brother
 Never mind, Jim," said Polly con- fortingly. I'll be real sweet sister to you. And what are you, MT. Rogers" Your father" answered Rogers la conically.
 Polly found the admission exceeding ly amusing.
 "But what possible chance do my father and brother have of cutting you ?" she asked Bert suddenly.
 "Oh," explained Bert carelessly, '1 meant they'll cut me out with the au- dience. No chance to win any bouquets and that sort of thing"
 But you'll win me. I mean-what's her name?-Claire."
 "Oh, I'll come out strong in the fn- ish." Bert returned confidently, at which Jim shot him a look that es- capped Polly's notice. It did IOt escape Rogers observation. however. and he smiled at the thought of the fun to come behind the scenes.
 Who's to be my girl chum. Nata- lie?" asked Polly. again consulting the printed cast.
 "AIrs. Rogers" Bert answered. And i she'll be dandy in that part too. Where is she tonight, Brad?" Couldn't come. The baby had the croup or something or other"
 Polly wheeled around suddenly on the piano stool and faced Rogers.
 Do you mean to say" she asked ac- cusingly. that you don't know what's the matter with the babyT 1 Rogers. taken by surprise, looked very much embarrassed.
 He began to stammer an explana- ton. but got no further than Well, you see. Miss Noyes." when the 'prompter" arrived nd the reading over of parts and the studying out of stage business began In earnest.
 As the rehearsals of the play pro gressed Polly found them absorbing beyond all be- expectations. As 1t happened. Mrs. D~-yers. owing to the baby's illness, had not been able to take the part of Natalie after all. and Elsie Williams. Polly's intimate girl friend. was prevailed upon to try 1t.
 This change in the cast. simple as fl seemed. was the cause of other changes far less simple.
 For one thing. Bert Crawford. whom Polly had grown through force of habit to regard as one of her most effective satellites. suddenly wavered from his accustomed course and began to re volve at a very dangerous speed around Polly's friend Elsie.