The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-08

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
peted 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 articles 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 Netties 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 1t was not always that Grantley
noted 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 q few words Of self
introduction and a bald remark in
praise of her voice, but in so doing he
stammered like q 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.
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
hr n n
friend "out front" This was the east
est and therefore the accepted solution.
But Grantley knew he was playing to
the new chorus girl. while Nettle was
spending every moment she could spare
from her changes of costume in watch
ing the show that she never would see
in its entirety. Once or twice 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.
Its splendid" was the enthusiastic
response. IL think you ought to be on
y
thinking that has spoiled 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 q warm glow about his heart the
rest of the evening.
After that Grantley saw much of
"the newest girl" as the others called
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 Nettie that Grantley
directed his conversation, though the
other actors crowded around, enjoying
the fun. Grantley, for all he headed
a cheap company, was a comedian at
heart as well as by training, and he
could give humorous twist to the
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 Grantley. passing
through the day coach given over to
the chorus, dropped into the seat be-
side Nettie, whose chum, Bessie New
ms. was restlessly pacing the aisle.
IT'S funny place for a proposal"
he said abruptly, "but there is such a
racket in the car that no one can hear
what the others ere saying. Besides.
you won't give a fellow chance to
catch you without that everlasting
Bessie Nevins along. love you. Net
tie. and l want you to marry me. VIII
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. II am sorry to hurt you. 1t was
for that reason that THAT have
stuck so close To Bessie"
'Then you don't careY' he demand
ed.
"In way, yes" she began. But
am sensitive to first impressions. and
romehow ! can't look ut you without
recalling that property stomach and
the absurd chin whiskers. You have
been awfully good. butch, can't love
man."
"But ! didn't suppose you thought
was always fool. Look ut that fool
ish house right there on top Of that
hill. Think what 1t must mean to live
there all winter. It's all right In the
summer time; but, oh-oh-in the win
FOR fitnoy'