The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-29
THE EVENING STORY
Changing First Impressions.
(By Lulu Johnson.)

Maiden company, Dick Grantley had
never given a derogatory thought to
his padded stomach and his chin
beard. They are simply parts of his
funny makeup, like the grease paint
and the lOnghaired wig which COM
pleted his resemblance to the German
character type found only upon the
stage.
In fact, GrantIey had been rather
proud Of his makeup. There were
certain little tricks and articles which
the other comedians did not seem to
know and which completed his
lud1crous appearance. Grantley rarely
left the dressing room without taking
self-satisfied glance at himself in
the mirror.
But Nettte's coming had changed
all that. A score of chorus girls had
come and gone since the company had
opened. and their presence or absence
had not affected Grantley at all. AS
the comedian, he was not called for
the rehearsals held for the benefit
of the new girls. The stage manager
drilled them in their songs and
dances. and it was not always that
Grantley noted new face in the
chorus ranks.
But Nettie Baden was different
from the rest She was an ambitious
girl, with a desire to take her place
some day among the principals. Her
rresh young voice rang true to key,
and she did not go through her work
with the mechanical dullness dis
played by the other girls Grantley,
coming on the stage for his first en-
trance, glanced up and down the
chorus line to discover the identity of
the girl whose clear soprano held the
others together.
AS they were waiting Tor the next
big entrance Grantley spoke to Net
tie. He uttered only a few words of
Standardization and bald remark in
praise of her voice, but in so doing
he stammered like a schoolboy glad
that the heavy coat Of paint hid his
blushes. Even in that brief moment
he had fallen in love, and love was a
new sensation to the comedian
Nettie smiled her thanks, and then
rushed off with the other girls leav-
ing Grantley to follow more slowly,
as his part demanded.
Even the other members of the
cast, who usually were intent only
upon their own work, noticed that
Grantley tonight was exerting himself
to do his best and various were the
Speculations as to the cause. Perhaps
he had a friend "out front" This
was the easiest and therefore the
accepted solution.
But Grantley knew he was playing
to the new chorus girl, while Nettie
was spending every moment she
could spare from her changes of cos
tune in watching the snow that she
never would see in its entirety. Once
or twice suppressed laugh from the
wings meant more to Grantley than
the roar of applause from the audi
the last act curtain he turned to the
new girl.
What do you think of the show? ?"
he demanded
Its Splendid" was the enthusiastic
response. II think you ought to be
on broadway with theater Of your
own
Thinking that has spoiled a lot
of good men," answered Grantley,
with shake of the head, but he was
none the less pleased with her praise,
and there was warm glow about his
heart the rest of the evening.
After that Grantley saw much of
the newest girl" as the others called
her. There were several moments in
the play when they stood on the same
side of the stage waiting for cues,
and 1t was always to Nettie that
Grantley directed his conversation,
though the other actors crowded
around enjoying the fun. Grantley,
for all he headed a cheap company,
was comedian at heart as we'll as
by training, and he could give a
humorous twist to the most serious of
statements.
Though they became fast friends,
weeks passed before Grantley put his
fate to test. They were making a.
long railroad jump and Grantley,
passing through the day coach given
over to the chorus, dropped into the
sic Nevins, was restlessly pacing the
aisle.
Its a funny place for a proposal"
he said. abruptly "but there is such
racket in the car that no one can
hear what the others are saying. Be-
chance to catch you without that
everlasting Bessie Nevins along. I
love you, Nettie, and 1 want YOU to
marry me. Will you. dear?"
The girls face grew troubled, and
she put her hand upon his for an in
slant.
I'm sorry you asked me-" she
said, softly. ct am sorry to hurt you.
1t was for that reason that THAT I
have stuck SO close to Bessie
Then you don't carer" he demanded.
I'm way, yes" she began. But |
am sensitive to first impressions. and
somehow I can't look at you without
recalling that property stomach and
the absurd chin whiskers You have
been awfully good, butch, I can't
love-a-funny man.
But I didn't suppose you thought 1
was always fool. Look at that foolish
house, right there on top of that hill.
Think what 1t must mean to live there
all winter. It's all right in the summer
time; but oh-oh-in the winter timer
Nettie glanced at him quickly. She
could not understand his abrupt change
of subject, and she concluded that she
had not hurt him very much, since he
so soon forgot, which was exactly
Grantley's purpose. But from that
moment he hated the padded stomach
and the false hair which were his
bread and butter.
He made no attempt to reopen the
discussion, and the weeks went past
rapidly with no apparent change In
their friendly relations. Nettie did not
dream that beneath his fun Grantley
nursed the sorrow she had caused, and
that only in the watches Of the night
did he give way to feelings none the