Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-10-15
THE MERMAID.

The Black Pierrettes had just finished
their evening performance, and Miss
Gem Wheeler sat apart, forlornly count
ing her takings.
CHOSE hateful toreadors are at the
bottom of our bad luck" she exclaimed.
The words had hardly left her lips,
when she noticed tall figure strolling
along the deserted parade The glow
from the cigarette between his teeth lit
lup 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 met" he said. but may
give YOU hand in 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 good fellowship, and that
we may dispense with introductions.'
Gem looked up, while a spark glinted
dangerously in her hazel eyes.
New to this thing?" she inquired.
Aren't you a PROF."
My aunt, no! / 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 II, as a genuine artist,
who has worked the halls hard all the
winter, and who has right to expect
,,N -
recognize you It's you and your like,
who ruin the living of honest profes
sionals!"
The toreador turned away, biting his
| lips
Il consider your tone quite uncalled
for" he said. Sorry | offered my serv-
ices!''
The week that followed was a particu-
larry 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 a few bare-legged children,
composed her audience she left the per-
| Torrance to the care of the other pier
rettes, and started out ON a 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 very thoughtful pierrette
who returned TO her troupe.
My afternoon has not been wasted,
girls!" She announced I've learned
something. The toreadors' pitch is no
better than our own, and their perform
ance not 50 good. But there is a 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
niyal. I'm going to chuck work tonight
and shall 90 rinking instead. They've
pOaehed on our ground, and ! mean to
poaeh 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
! 10y tall torcador. 1t was Tom Elton.
Gathering her forces together, Gem
glided foEsvard, and threw a handful of
confetti in his face,
| Something in the poise of her figure
caused Eton 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
You skate awfully WELT" 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}"
I'VE manage to keep our end up. You
see, | know the counter-attraetion"
And what is that ?"
Now, you're trying to steal my Sc
eret" he said But III give it to YOU
IN one advertisement"
But how can struggling artist
catch the public attention." she asked
Another secret?s asked Eton. We'll.
III confde to you what I'd do in the
event of a frost. I'd start a gigantic
sell. You know what ! mean. ia 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