The Democratic advocate., 1908-05-15
changing First
. Impressions.
BY LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
ASAeAe HoA9 zoe AoAoAe

Maiden company Dick Grantley had
never given a derogatory thought to
his padded stomach and his chin beard.
They were simply parts of his funny
makeup, like the great grease paint
and the long haired wig which COM
pleted his resemblance to the German
character type found only upon the
stage
In fact, Grantley had been rather
proud Of his makeup. There were GER
tain little tricks and artifices which
the other comedians did not seem to
know and which completed his ludi
crous appearance. Grantley rarely left
the dressing room without taking a
self satisfied glance at himself in the
mirror.
But Nettie'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 a new face in the chorus ranks.
But Nettie Bladen was different
from the rest She was an ambitious
girl. with a desire to take her place
some day among the principals. Her
fresh young voice rang true to key,
and she did not go through her work
with the mechanical dullness displayed
by the other girls. Grantley, coming
on the stage for his first entrance,
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 for the next
big entrance Grantley spoke to Nettie.
He uttered only a few words of self
Introduction and a 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 bushes.
Even in that brief moment he had
fallen in love, and love was new SEN
sation to the comedian.
Nettie smiled her thanks and then
rushed off with the other girls, leaving
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 easi-
est 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 costume in watch
ing the show that she never would see
in it's entirety. Once or twice a sup
pressed laugh from the wings meant
more to Grantley than the roar of ap-
plause from the audience, and as they
were all waiting for the last act cur
tain he turned to the new girl.
What do you think of the show?'
he demanded
"It's splendid" was the enthusiastic
response 81 think you ought to be on
Broadway with a theater of your own
Thinking that has spoiled a lot Of
good men," answered Grantley with a
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 callel
her There were several moments in
the play when they stood on the same
side Of the stage waiting for cues. and
it was always to Nette that Grantley
directed his conversation. though the
other actors crowded around. enjoying
the fun. Grantley, for all he headed
cheap company, was Il comedian at
heart as well as by training. and he
could give humorous twist to tine
most serious of statements.
Though they became fast friends.
weeks passed before Grantley put his
fate to test. They were making long
railroad jump, and Grautey. passing
through the day coach given over t.
the chorus, dropped into the seat he
side Nettie, whose chum. Bessie New
ins, was restlessly pacing the aisle
Its funny place for PROPOSAL
he said abruptly, 'but there is such a
racket in the car that no one can hear
what the others are saying. Besides.
you won't give a fellow chance to
catch you without that everlasting
Bessie Nevins along. | love you, Net
tie, and 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. 81 am sorry to hurt you. 1t was
for that reason that THAT have
stuck so close to Bessie
"Then you don't careT' he demand
ed.
'1n way, yes" she began. But
am sensitive to first impressions, and
somehow | can't look at you without
recalling that property stomach and
the absurd chin whiskers You have
been awfully good, but-oh, I can't love
-a-funny man."
"But I didn't suppose you thought
was always a fool. Look at that fool
ish house right there ON top of that
hill. Think what it must mean to live
there all winter. It's all right in the
summer time but, oh-oh-in the win
ter timer
Nettie glanced at him quickly She
could not understand his abrupt change
Of subject. and she concluded that she
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