The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-25
McCLANAHAN'S UNDERSYUDY

AAN ~ SNHAAAJAWHA
Dan Larned and Jessie Clifford Of
tneWilmering stock company were
desperately in love. The continued
oeiay OF the actor and the actress in
uniting their fortunes was A MATES
OF no small wonder to the members
OIL the troupe, but they were left tn
tnelr own surmises in figuring out the
situation.
FINALLY an inlling as to the real
reason they did not get marrled
leaked out. The bill they were 10
put on Tuesday night was one of tbosa
nome plays in which the marriage oe
the hero and heroine was featured in
the last act, the ceremony being per-
formed to meet the request of the
brides dying father.
Il don't like the play a little bit.
exclaimed Miss Clifford, at the con-
clusion of the rehearsal "It wouidn't
be so bad If IL wasn't for the mar.
rage cerefony. / Just simply can,b
bear the thought of a wedding. foe
some reason, and every time 90
through that ceremony it makes me
reel SO embarrassed know l make a
Wretched failure Of the whole thing.
| feel like l would quit before 1 20
through It again.
10 most Of the members OF the com.
pany such an outburst meant nothing
Tor each of them had objections 10
something or other in every show
they put ON But to Billy McClanahan
the 1oVial Irishman who doubled ON
the parts Of the country boy I'm the
hrst three acts, and the preacher I'm
The lact act, the angry remonstrance
of the leading lady held a different
meaning.
III she objects to a stage wedding
IT'S for certain she'd object n great
deal more to the real thing. and n
tnat isn't what's keeping her and
Larned from splicing I'll be willing
to spend the rest of my days as .
hash Singer"
lie muttered these words as he lefe
the theater by the stage door. Then
an idea dawned upon him. and the
fact that the street was thronged with
people did not prevent him from clap
ping his hands and exclaimed quite
loudly:
"Tll do it!I n
with that he located Iarned and ex.
planned his plan, and the latter read.
.ly agreed to it, saying it would ba
bound to secure the results for which
ne mad so long hoped in vain. Quick.
" they made the necessary prepara.
Ions and then McClanahan hunted uu
he rest of the company to explain the
scheme to them.
The curtain had gone down on the
.hird act when Larned hurried 10 the
loor OF Miss Clifford's dressing; room,
papping upon the door he exclaimed.
That confounded McClanahan has
'een arrested because some blunder.
ng officer thinks he is wanted down
II Texas and friend of Jess Millman
has agreed to go on as the preacher
turing this act. l wanted to tell YOU
% you wouldn't be surprised too
greatly at the sight of a new minister.
the last scene passed off better than
lsual that night, and the Sub who
ook McClanahan's place appeared to
e more at home as a man OF the cloth
han did the Irishman, versatile as
10 was. No sooner had the curtain
ropped than the company gathered
bout the leading lady.
Congratulations, Mrs. Iarned.p
hey shouted. Then McClanahan. the
uthor of the conspiracy, appeared,
milling as though his experience with
he Officer had done him good.
1.-The preacher was a real one" he
reclaimed. Dan and got the license
nd arranged for the minister this
fternoon and so now you're married
nd won't have to worry any more
bout the wedding ceremony"
"Oh Dan, I'm so glad" laughed the
ride as she threw both arms about
er husbands neck-Vance Criss.