The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-04-17
TheReal Man
By MARTHA
COBB SANFORD.
Copyright, 1908, by Associated Lit
erary Press.
Polly was to take part in an amateur

"It's such fun," she announced on the
svening of the first rehearsal, "to act
with real men! At school, you know
well, at school we didn't have any rea
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 lover"
Solemnly, with hands on their hearts
all three bowed.
"You are oil very silly" said Polly,
blushing. Nov, please be serious
Which of you is to be Captain Wheel
er, Claire's lover, absent on the field?' u
she continued, reading from the play.
81 am cast for that unfortunate
part" Bert Crawford answered.
unfortunate queried Polly, and
she raised her pretty eyebrows haugh-
tily.
unfortunate" Bert FASTENED 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
Mr. Marshall and Mr.. Rogers are rivals
for my hand, too-Claire's hand, I
mean"
mo; haven't the pleasure" sighed
Jim Marshall "I'm only your brother"
Never mind, JIM" said Polly COM
fortingly. "I'll be a real sweet sister to
you. And what are you, Mr.. Rogers?"
"Your father" answered Rogers Ia
conically.
Polly found the admission exceeding
~ amusing.
"But what possible chance do my
father and brother have of cutting you
out?' she asked Bert suddenly.
"Oh," explained Bert carelessly, 81
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."
ooh. I'll come out strong in the fin
ish," Bert returned confidently, at
which Jim shot him a look that es-
capped Polly's notice. 1t did not 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-
ie?" asked Polly, again consulting
the printed cast.
Mrs Rogers" Bert answered. "And
she'll be dandy in that part too. Where
Is she tonight, Brad?'
Couldn't come. The baby had the
Group 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 baby?'
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 and the reading
stage business began in earnest.
AS the rehearsals of the play pro-
crossed Polly found them absorbing
beyond all her expectations. AS 1t
happened, Mrs. Rogers, 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 it.
This change in the cast, simple as it
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.
Now, Polly ought not to have re-
sented this, for she knew very we'll in
her heart that she never intended Bert
to develop, so far as she was con-
cerned. into anything beyond an obse-
quious and ornamental attendant.
However, since he was her lover in
have him constantly missing his cue
while making love to Elsie behind the
scenes instead
On one Of these embarrassing occa-
sions Jim Marshal came to the rescue
with what seemed to him nothing sort
of an inspiration.
"See here, Polly" he exclaimed jo-
q in ho 0f
the stage. impatiently waited the dra-
matte entry of Captain Wheeler aft
er his absence in the field" 1--WE got
simply corking idea. Bert and I will
change parts. You see. off the stage
he's Elsie's lover. and on the stage he's
yours. Now, why not fix it as it really
is and let me be your lover on the
stage as well as off? Don't you think
that would work out we'll? I'd be on
hand for this scene, you can bet your
lifer'
But Polly received his suggestion
with anything but enthusiasm.
Don't be foolish, Jim, and please
hunt Captain Wheeler" was all she
answered.
Accordingly Bert, alias the missing
captain, soon rushed in, and Polly ran
to meet him, failing into his arms
with a cry of JOY" as the stage direc-
tons called for. -
"Oh, that will never do at ALL" COM
planned the prompter. "You don't act
as though you were really glad to see
him, Miss Noyes. And you don't stay