The Lambertville record., 1908-05-06
TheReal Man
BY MARTHA
COBB SANFORD.
Copyright. 1893, by Associated Lit
erary Press.

Polly was to take part In an amateur
play.
Its 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,
blushing. Now. please be serious.
Which of you is to be Captain Wheel
er. Claire's lover, absent on the field p"
She continued. reading from the play.
Il 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 fleld' for
two whole acts. you notice. gives these
other fellows too much chance to cut
Inc out"
"Oh." smiled Polly graclously. ''then
Mr.. Marshall and Mr.. Rogers are rivals
for my hand. too-Claire's hand, l
mean"
mo: haven't the pleasure" sighed
Jim Marshall. "Pm only your brother"
Never mind, Jim," said Polly COM
fortingly. "Pll be real sweet sister to
you. And what are you, Mr.. RogersT'
''Your father" answered Rogers Ia
conically.
Polly found the admission exceeding
ly amusing.
"But what possible chance do my
father and brother have of cutting you
outY' she asked Bert suddenly.
"Oh." explained Bert carelessly, II
meant they'll cut me out with the au-
dienee. No chance to win any bouquets
ana tnat sort or thing.
But you'll win me. mean-what's
her name?-C Claire"
"Oh. I'll come out strong in the fin
ish," Bert returned confidently, at
which Jim shot him 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-
lieT" asked Polly again consulting
the printed cast.
Mrs. Rogers" Bert answered. And
she'll be dandy in that part too. Where
Is she tonight, Brady'
Couldn't come. The baby had the
Group or something or other"
Polly wheeled around suddenly on
the piano stool and fnced 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 expIana-
tion. but got no further than "Well,
you see. Miss NoyeS" when the
"prompter" arrived and 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 her expectations. As II
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 1t.
This change in the cast, simple as 1t
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 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
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
the play. 1t piqued 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
mi nd IN, d
Of an inspiration.
"See here. Polly" he exclaimed jo-
vially as Polly. alone In the center Of
the stage, impatiently waited the dra-
matte entry of Captain Wheeler aft
er his "absence In the field" 'T've got
q simply corking idea. Bert and will
Change parts. You see, of the stage
he's Elsie's lover. and on the stage he's
yours. Now, why not fix 1t as 1t 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
lifew
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 cry Of JOY" as the stage direc-
tions 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
long enough In his arms. You just
jump away as If you'd been shot"
Polly made up comical little face
and tried the scene over again.
mo" sighed the prompter. "That
wasn't any better. Now. after you've
rushed into Captain Wheeler's arms.
Miss Noyes, just stay until you're CON-
Portable"
There was general laugh at this,
and then Jim Marshall came forward,