Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-17

plot and with plenty of opportunity for comic lines and
those whimsical grmaces which had placed Woopledorf
at the top of the professional tree.
Mr.. Woopiedorf sighed heavily so loudly indeed that
small boy who passing, swinging empty basket
looked up in his face with amazement and then gave
delighted chuckle of amusement. 1t was tribute Mr.
Woopedorf knew it.
always comic" he said; cant help it. Get laugh
when cry! And yet with all my talent, what miser
able joker / am, after ALL
So saying he pursued his way to the theatre, and,
entering the stage door, inquired there any
tiers for him.
1t was the Monday morning and of course the com
pany hat only arrived Winchester during the Sunday
afternoon The theatre in which they were playing was
a one, but recently erected and Woopledorf had
not acted in before He did not know therefore that
as is the case IN some of the modern theatres the letters
for the company kept by the sagedoor keeper
but are placed in baize rack the prompt side of
the proscenium.
A small boy, who was doing duty for the doorkeeper
informed him Of this, and accordingly the comedian
mounted the stone steps which led up the dressing
ROOM pushed green baize door, turned sharp
the left, and found himself upon the stage.
The curtain up the great house beyond it swathed
in brown holland few dusty beams of sunlight fell
through the ropes bridges and hanging scenery of the
mighty grid fifty feet above the stage, and threw faint
patterns upon the straw-littered boards.
The various members of the company were standing
about by the dusty of electric bulbs, which would
blaze the footghts night reading their lines or
TALKING together.
Mr.. Woopledorfs glance and very hungry glance it
fell at upon tall lssom girl in tailor-made
coat ana Skirt with pretty but rather childish face,
and an aureole of dark red hair 1t Miss Muriel
Webo the leading lady.
The girl talking to TALL youngish man. who, in
one casual glance might have been Mr.. Reginald Bren-
don hmsef-a little shabb1er, considerably younger. On
closer inspection would have that Mr.. Charles
lrant-tor that the gentemans name-was but as
the sketch is to the picture He the acting
ayers understudy, and properly made up and dressed
made very passable imitation of his chief night
copying all his gestures with slavish fidelity and initial
ing his tones with parrotlike proficiency.
Mr.. Woopledorf ground his teeth audb1y and turned
almost knocking against Mr.. Abrahams the stage
manager, who had in and was pinning up paper
upon the notice board.
Ladies and gentlemen said the stage manager rap
ping with his finger upon the notice 81 very sorry
to tell you that Mr. Brendon is unwell and will be
of the bill this week Mr. Trant you will play Lord
Ascot Mr.. Leslie you will double third bookmaker
with Mr.. Trants part There will be call this after
at o'clock sharp"
There buzz of conversation and conjecture
among such members of the company who there
Woopedorf whom the change did not affect in any way
stood still, looking at Miss Muriel Webb who was talk
ing in bright and animated way to Mr.. Trant. He
about to and stride modify upstairs 10 his
dressing where he had one or two little things
TO see to- when Miss Webb turned and hurried up to
him with smile
How you Billy" she said coquettishly Glow
gloomy you look this morning.
he comedians expression changed in He
took her by her goved hands, and his large intelligent
face suddenly split by his famous wedge-le smile
which had moved many audiences all over England
with uncomfortable mirth
well" he said 'my dear to tell the truth thought
you were not going TO take any noticed Of me-"
oh Billy, how you be SO wicked" she replied