The Washington herald., 1909-07-25

which We all instinctively recognized. in
spite OF the fact that we hated him most
cordially. according TO inevitable custom
Tor the reason that he entalled a series
OF rehearsals. Rehearsals and one-night
stands certainly mark the limit OF hu-
man endurance
After arrangements were made. our new
man had but an hour 20 get his ward
robe together and make our train. He
did It, however. and we all heartlessly
went 10 our berths. leaving him pop-eyed
and nervous. studying his part We got
into town at noon, breakfasted at
o'clock. rehearsed from until 6. bolted
down dinner. got back to the theater at
Z. and. while we were making up. put
Boots through as lively an hour as we
could, to repay ourselves for the extra
work he had given US,
And the work he had, or course. he
was nine different kinds Of an idiot at re-
heasal: but we had looked for that: what
we had not looked for was that even a
nine-ply idiot should come on the road to
play seven parts, with a wardrobe consist
ing merely OF a makeup box. a pair OF
golf pants and some red tights So much
Boots had and TO more. and It was up TO
the rest Of us TO rig him out till we got
to town where things could be bought
fAAiN WHY uoil fou keep Sllll Wule
We are trying TO ft your" queried young
Ashley, our juvenile. endeavoring to
measure a pair Of trousers against Boots
who was swaying like a signboard.
What are you teetering fOr?'
Built up. me boy; built up" shivered
Boots, who was nearing panic.
That soT' asked Ashley, pushing him
eXperimentally. Let's see"
The slight push sent Boots over like a
ninepin
$50 you are. said Ashley. as If graft
fed. so YOU are. How much?"
About two inches. politely replied
Boots, still on all-fours Seeing that-he
was almost helpless. Ashley hauled him
to his feet and by keeping him standing,
forced him to teeter for ten minutes,
while he tried impossible garments up
against him.
These VIII do; take these" said Ash
ley finally. when he had had enough.
Better hurry your makeup now" And
he gave him another friendly push so
that Roots had TO prance and stagger 70
keep his balance. The poor guy. being
short Of stature. had heels two inches
higher than the ordinary high heel and
moreover had one-nch lifts" inside his
shoes, thus appearing 10 be about three
inches taller than he really was. While
he walked about he could maintain a bal
ance. but II lie kept still why over he
went. A good many Of us accidentally
bumped Boots that night.
From her dressing-room. Jessica Moyne
cooked up something else for him by cali
ing out sweetly and pleasantly "Oh, Mr.
Boots, viii you lend me your box of
wrinkles. please? Mine are all out"
Why. III haven't any" mourned
he. ashamed TO death Of the lack. "Aw-
fully. awfully sorry, Miss Moyne" He
knew her voice at once. being already
desperately smitten in that quarter.
Haven't any2" walled Jesslca. do be
good fellow and ask Lettice Jerome for
hers. She'll lend me anything"
Certainly Win pleasure" responded
Boots. wrapping his semi-clad self in an
overcoat and sallving forth. There is
nothing more obliging than an amateur
for a week or so After that time they
arc generally giving points to the man
agement and rewriting their parts to bet
ter the play--even Shakespeare's.
Stop knocking and come in" ordered
Lettiee's sweet drawl. as he assailed her
door
"Oh. impossible" stammered Boots.
drawing the folds of his overcoat closer.
It's Miss Moyne. AT least, she wants
it; your box Of wrinkles. please"
Box Of what2"
Wrinkles"
Here Lettice opened her door and took
a curious survey Of the specimen with
out
Z lent them to Ashley" at length she