Middletown transcript., 1910-05-21
rcoArrIr,1rn rRo,r LAST wREKl

sat back in a rocking chair ant
rocked gently to and fro, hel
eyes closed, her tired, over
wrought nerves relaxed. Thel
she heard a slight noise, some
one moving softly, and voices il
the mems room beyond. Sht
listened almost breathlessly
Again-a chair showed aside, thel
a voice she knew. She got vi
and went over to the door softly
on her toes. For a second she
listened at the keyhole. Ther
she crept back and deliberately
overturned a chair. 1t fell to the
floor with a crash, and she spoke
aloud.
Now, amt clumsy?
Again she listened. In the
room beyond all was quiet.
A little later she went down
stairs, and, passing the Allegret
tis room, looked in the partly
open door. They were playing
pitch on the bed-Allegretti and
his wife, Fred and Will.
Where's Mabel? asked Dora
forcing a smile.
Fred looked up and winked
showing her his six. bits of paste
board.
Mabel? Down in Mrs. Swee'
ney's room, he answered. She's
cleaning her jewelry-been there
an hour or more.
The Allegrettis and the Zenos
ate supper together that night,
breakfast the next morning, and
then hurried through a cold lunch
before they departed for the mat
inee. Both acts were playing
the same house. A well.knoWn
comic-opera star was the head
liner, and the -Four Flying Zenos
were the extra feature, while the
AIlegrettis enjoyed the title of
'tadded attraction. +" The Monday
matinee passed off smoothly
enough.
Pretty neat! said the house
manager. Plenty of go about it
and well worked out. New stuff
on the bars, too! Pretty good
Thanks, gov'nor, Fred nodded /;
and Mabel smiled her prettiest
and blinked her childish blue eyes
at him.
We think it's the classiest act
ofits kind in the polite varieties,
she said naiyely. We've had an
offer 10 90 TO London with it
eight weeks at the Empire, with
another eight to follow if wanted.
But we amt decided yet. tell
Fred my husband tell him
I'd like to go if only to see the
sights; but, you see, we're in
such demand here in America
You're always sure of a vel
come here in my house, said the
manager, getting red in the face.
By Jove! she was pretty-a stun
ner!g Then he remembered his
dignity, and as promptly froze.
I think six bows is enough for
the act-don't keep the stage too
long, please, he added, in his
business voice.
But Mabel had seen the flushed
face and admiring eyes, and she
went back to Mrs. Sweeney full
of the perfectly lovely manager
at the show-shop, m'dear. Fred
teased her about him, and Will
laughed at them; but Dora, as
usual, had nothing to say.
Mabel and Dora and Mamie
Allegretti shared the samedress-
ing room, for the bill was long
that week and included a minia-
ture musical comedy with thirty |
people. The Allegrettis' act |
went on before the -Four Flying |
Zenos', and Mabel helped Mamie |
with her costume before she be-
gan to dress herself. Then, left
alone with Dora, she lapsed into
q thoughtful quiet and the two
sisters prepared for the stage in
silence.
Dora spoke first, which was
unusual.
You remember what I told you
about Will, last week, don't you
she asked.
I don't knowif I do or not, re.
turned Mabel defisRtly.
Yes, you do, too, nodded Dora.
Well, what If I do? What are
you croaking about now? de-
Mabel. And let me tell |
you, miss, that / can't stand no
talk out o. you now with me go.
ng on the stage to do a difficult
;rapeZe act So cnt Until |
after the show, at least. I'm
that nervous
You ought to be, said Dora
quietly.
The -Four Flying Zenos walked
10 the wings and waited for Miss
Willoughby to finish taking the
light bows allowed her by the
house manager. Then, when
'he came off after the final one
Ind the orchestra began to play
heir music, a generous sound of
applause greeted them as they {
lied out, Will first, then Mabel,
hen Dora, then Fred. The girls ]
wore short pink dresses in the |
beginning of the act, which they 9
ater changed to blue satin knee
'reeches, with white silk stock
ngs, the same as the men wore.
they were well groomed, and the Z
'lrls were young and pretty 2
md OF the type rarely seen in i
heir line of work. After q num- '
,er OF single turns, the four of g
hem got up on bars and began 6
'Wlnglng back and forth. Up G
nd down, to and fro. here there b