The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-11-04
THE MERMAID.

The Black Pierrettes had just finished
their evening performance, and Miss
Gem Wheeler sat apart, forlornly count
ing her takings
ssThose hateful toreadors are at the
bottom of our bad luck!" she exclaimed.
The words had hardly left her lips,
when she noticed a tall figure strolling
along the deserted parade. The glow
from the cigarette between his teeth lit
up the strong. mobile features of Tom
Elton, the leader of the rival troupe OF
toreadors.
The man stopped involuntarily as he
reached the deserted stand of the Pier
rettes, and cast a glance at the busy
girls.
Excuse me!'' he said. "But may !
give you hand i'll moving your props ?
| That piano is too heavy for girls I'm
quite new to this sort of thing, but |
believe that between fellow artists there
is nothing but ood-fellowship, and that
we may dispense with introductions."
Gem looked up, while spark glinted
dangerously in her hazel eyes.
New to this thing?" she inquired.
''Aren't you PROF"
my aunt, no! I and some fellows
from the office are working this show
purely as a spec"
The spark in Gems eyes burst into
/ flame.
'Then / can dispense with your help!"
she said hotly. Il, as a genuine artist,
who has worked the halls hard all the
winter, and who has a right to expect
an easier time in summer, refuse to
recognize you! It's you. and your like,
who ruin the living of honest profess
sionals'
The toreador turned away, biting his
| lips.
| Il consider your tone quite uncalled
for he said Sorry I offered my serv-
| ices!"
The week that followed was particu-
larly bad one for the Black Pierrettes,
and Gem was at her wits end.
One afternoon, after casting her eye
over the empty circle of campstools,
that, with few bare-legged children,
composed her audience, she left the per-
Torrance to the care of the other pier
rettes, and started out on tour of in
spection.
| A sharp walk soon took her to the
south sands, where the toreadors were
holding their show, and here Gem min
gled with the audience.
1t was a very thoughtful pierrette
who returned to her troupe.
My afternoon has not been wasted,
girls!'' she announced. "Ive learned
something The toreadors' pitch is no
better than our own, and their perform
ance not so good But there is mans
brain and business instinct at the back
of it all, and we lack that For in
stance, they attracted their crowd today
by a competition. The toreadors are
having their show early this evening,
so as not to clash with the skating car
nival. Pm going to chuck work tonight
and shall 60 rinking instead. They've
poached on our ground and / mean to
poach off them. I'll come back tonight
with money in my brain, swear!"
Standing in the shade of an alcove,
Gem, draped from head to foot in a
green domino, watched the masqueraders.
Presently her attention was attracted
by tall toreador 1t was Tom Elton.
Gathering her forces together, Gem
glided forward, and threw handful of
confetti in his face.
Something in the poise of her figure
caused Elton to stop.
Before she knew what she was doing,
Gem found herself gliding down the
length of the pier, hand in hand with
| her rival
s.You skate awfully well!'' said the
man. D'you know, you're exactly like
one of the pierrettes!''
For the matter of that" she said,
you not only look like one of the
toreadores, but I'm sure you are one.
Are you doing well, in spite of the at
traction of this lovely rinking?"
''We manage to keep our end up You
see, I know the naturalization
"And what is that?'
s'Now, you're trying to steal my Sc
cret!" he said. But I'll give it to you
in one ord-advertisement."
"But how can struggling artist
catch the public attention." she asked.
| S'Another secret" asked Eton "Well,
I'll confide to you what I'd do in the
event of a frost I'd start gigantic
SELL You know what I mean I'd pre-
tend to swim the channel, or see the
sea serpent. Or I'd dress up as the sea
serpent myself!''
| Tom Eton's surprise would have been
great had he seen the Joy with which
Gem related her adventure to her troupe
"The toreador gave me the tip" she
informed them "There's going to be
a tremendous sensation in Saltsea. A
mermaid will be seen singing on a rock
out in the bay. Some will laugh at the
tale, others will go out in boats to test
| its truth Then, after week, when
the controversy and excitement is at its
height, the mermaid will proclaim her
| identity with Miss Gem Wheeler, of the
London and provincial halls, and or
ganizer of the Black Pierrettes. How's
that for an advertisement?
Gem was strong swimmer, or else
the feat would have been impossible. As
it was, she felt thoroughly spent when
she at last reached her goal and clam
bered on to a, low point, standing by it.
self well out to sea.
Her heart beat quickly as she took