Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1908-10-01
The Real Man
BY MARTHA
CCBB SANFORD.
Copyright. lgsS. hr Associated LIT
,ralE Press.

well. NJ ScDOol we ullii hhNS "h' 'N"'
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.
We'll" asked Polly gayly, looking
over the printed east in her hand'
(which of you is my loyerT'
Solemnly. with hands on their hearts,
all three bowed.
"You are all very silly" said Polly.
blushing. Now. please be serious.
Which of You is TO be Captain Wheel
err, Clalres lover. absent on the field"
she continued, reading from the play,
II am cast for that unfortunate
part" Bert Crawford answered.
"Uufortunate?" qGerled Polly and
she raised her pretty eyebrows haush-
tily
unfortunate" Bert FASTENED TO eN-
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, |
mean"
"Na: haven't the pleasure sighed
Jim Marshall I'm only your brother
Never mind, Jim" said Polly com
fortingly. III be q real sweet sister to
you. And what are you, Mr.. kogersF'
Your father" answered Rogers la
conically.
Polly found the admission exceeding
~ amusing
"But what possible chance do my
father aud brother have of cutting you
out z" she asked Bert suddenly.
"Oh," explained Bert earelessly, Il
meant they'll cut me out with the au-
dience No chance to win any bouquets
and that sort Of hing
"But yor'll win me. | mean-what's
her name?--Claire,'
ooh I'll come out strong in the fin
lsh," Bert returned confidently, NJ
which Jim shot him q look that es-
capped Polly's notice. It did not escape
Rogers observation however, and he
smiled at the thought of the fun TO
come behind the scenes.
Who's to he my girl chum Nata
lie?" asked Polly. again consulting
the printed east
Mrs Rogers" Bert answered And
she'll be dandy In that part too Where
is she tonight. BradT"
Couldn't come. The baby had the
Group or something or other"
Polly wheeled around suddenly on
the piano stool ana 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
over of parts and the studying cat Of
stage business began In earnest.
AS the rehearsals of the play pro-
crossed Polly found them absorbing
beyond all her expectations. AS IL
happened Mrs. Rogers. owing to the
baby's illness. had not been able To
take the part Of Natalie after all. and
Elsie Williams, PolIy's intimate girl
friend, was prevailed upon to try it,
This change in the cast. simple as IL
seemed, was the cause of other changes
far less simple.
For one thing, Bert Crawford, whom
Polly had grown through force Of habi.
to regard as one of her most effective
satellites, suddenly wavered from his
accustomed course and began to re-
volve at very dangerous speed around
Polly's friend Elsie.
Now, Polly ought not to have re-
sented this. for she knew very well in
her heart that She never intended Bert
10 develop. SO far as she was con
cerned, into anything beyond an obse-
quious and ornamental attendant.
However, since he was her lover I'm
the play. It pilued her not little To
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 10.
yially as Polly alone IN the center Of
the stage, INPATIENT waited the dra.
matte entry Of Captain Wheeler AFT.
er his absence m thc field I've rot
a simply cnrEiug iiIpn ppr+ aud 7 ,,.itI