The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-04
THE EVENING STORY
The Real Man.
tBy Martha Cobb sanford.)

1
(By Martha Cobb Sanford.)
Polly was to take part in an amateur
play.
TITS such fun" she announced on
the evening Of the first rehearsal. to
| 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, Bradley 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 all very silly" said Polly
blush1ng. Nov, 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.
ST am cast for that unfortunate
part" Bert Crawford answered.
Unfortunate Queried Polly, and
she raised her pretty eyebro VS.
haughtily.
''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"
"No-haven't the pleasure sighed
Jim Marshall. I'm only your
Never mind. JIM" said Polly COM
fortingly. "I'll be real sweet sister to
you. And what are you. Mr.. Rogers?"
Your father" answered Rogers. Ia
conically.
Polly found the admission. exceed
'But what possible chance do my
father and brother have of cutting you
2" she asked Bert suddenly. 49,
"Oh," explained Bert, carelessly, IT
meant they'll cut me out with the
audience. No chance to win any
bouquets and that sort of thing
But you'll win me. mean
what's her name Claire"
'Oh. I'll come out strong in the
f1nish,' Bert said, confidently. at which
Jim shot him a look that escaped Pol
ly's notice. 1t did not escape Rogers
observation, however. and he smiled
at the thought of the fun to come be-
hind the scenes.
who's to be my girl chum. Nata-
lie?'" asked Polly. again consulting
the printed cast.
"Mrs. Rogers" Bert answered. "And
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?"
Roges. 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 study out OF
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
Elsie Williams, Polly's intimate girl
friend. was prevailed upon to try it.
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 be-
gan to revolve at very dangerous
speed around Po1ly's friend Elsie.
Now Polly ought not to have resent
ed this for she knew very well In her
heart that she never 1ntehQed Bert TO
develop, so far as she was concerned.
into anything beyond an obsequious
and ornamental attendant. However,
since he was her lover in the play, it
piqued her not g. little to have him
constantly missing his cue while maxi
ing love to Elsie behind the scenes
instead.
On one Of these embarrassing occa-
sions Jim Marshall came to the rescue
with what seemed to him nothing
short Of inspiration.
''See here. Polly" he exclaimed
1ovially as Polly. alone In the center
of the stage, impatient1y waited the
dramatic entry of captain Wheeler"
after his absence in the Held" I've
got q simply corking idea Bert and
1 will change parts. You see. on the
stage he's Elsie's lover, and on the
stage he's yours. Now why not fix it
as 1t really is and let me be your lover
on the stage as well as on? Don't you
think that would work out well? I'd
be on hand for this scene. you can bet
your life!''
But Polly received his suggestion
with anything but enthusiasm.
Don't be foolish, Jim, and please
hunt Capt. Wheeler" was all she an
swered.
Accordingly. Bert, alias the missing
captain. soon rushed in. and Polly ran
to meet him. falling into his arms with
cry Of joy" as the stage directions
called for.
'sOh, that Win never do It an" conn
plA1ned the promuter. You don't est