Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-07-29
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Miss Adella Smith caught sight of
the letter addressed 10 May Fenton
as she entered the stage door. With
a quick glance at the door-keeper. who
was doing with his back to her. she
snatched It from the rack and hasten
ed around the corner behind a pile of
props. Opening it. she read:
Dear May was down to see the
manager OF "The Painted Crocodile
the new musical comedy that's going
out He said he was looking for a
Eoubrette. aud had asked the dramatic
critic Of The Footlights' to take in
your show tonight and pick one for
him. The critic has seat G 105. DO
your prettiest It's a ch-uce IN
thousand. Yours.
BILLY"
"Myl" Miss Smith exclaimed, draw
ing IN a deep breath, as she slipped
the note into the envelope aud tucked
It In her chatelaine bag. "What a
narrow squeak"
Hurrying to the blessing room
which the Spring sIxtette occupied.
she burst in upon the girls assembled
there.
"Say, what do yer think" she cried.
The critic of the 'Footlights is going
to be here tonight He tipped me OF,
for he's a special friend. and"
Adella hesitated. then discreetly sub
sided by coughing behind her hand.
She suddenly remembered that II
would not be good policy to put the
others wise"
But she had gone too far, What's
he want?" the girls chorused.
The eagerness with which they
crowded about her was SO flattering.
and her desire to parade her pseudo
classy friend so great. that Miss Smith
finally told them.
But don't say anything to May
about It." she admonished with an air
Of severity. The others readily agreed,
for May was at swords points with
them all.
The discussion Of the important bit
thumps OF one Of the stage-hau1s. dele
gated by the manager to muftle the
debate. were not needed. 1t was only
on the entrance OF May Fenton that
they abruptly changed the subject.
Am ! disturbing yer?" the new
conner asked with elaborate polite
ness. as she remarked the break in
the conversation. "If so. begs to be
excused" With an airy motion. she
swept Miss Smiths light-colored wrap,
which was lying on her seat to the
floor and sat down with dignity.
Her act started feline "free-for.
ali" which the Ranseer himself was
obliged to quell.
Look a here. you suffrigits," he
cried. "Cut 1t out. I'm going to slice
the wad of the next one that even
peeps" And when the manager wig.
wagged his thumb in the air and stuck
out his Jaw under a heavy scowl, he
meant what he said.
II was while the orchestra was
playing the overture that one of the
girls, who had been peeping out at
the audience, rushed back. Hes
come! ! just saw Jimmy bring him
down" Jimmy was the usher.
They all made for the hole in the
curtain. The occupant of G l05 was
a most nsigniflcant-loobing man, thin,
stoop-shouldered with an awkward
bend that made him appear as though
he were constantly fishing for his hat
under the seat
Say, Addie. yer friend amt much
on looks, is he7" one of the girls re-
marked after a critical examination.
"Them critics is always queer ones,
Miss Smith explained with a propitia
tory air. But he's such a gentle
mani" She herself was not especial
ly pleased at the appearance of her
adopted friend.
well. he's got a Job up his sleeve;
that's all / care for"
The hit Of the play. the Spring Sex
tette, made its appearance during the
second act Each member carried q
basket OF cut flowers beneath which
nestled a large boquet. They we're tC
toss these boquets to the audience al
the final crash of music.
AS the girls tripped gayly out, five
pair OF eyes instinctiyely sought out c
l05. Their owners danced and sang tC
him. They stretched their arms ou
longingly toward him.
The object OF all this attention
seemed rather surprised for he sid
still further down into his seat anC
flushed uneasily May Fenton was th'
only one who gave the audience al
impartial attention. She seemed ben
on pleasing every one. When th'
] 80 81 sa-r 49, 81
were cast with unerring aim at G 1o5
AS they came of the stage, th'
manager met them beet-red with an
ger. do you think I'm furnishing
flowers to coax out invites to lobster
suppers?" he cried. Let me tell yol
right now that iye OF you have jus
queered yourselves. Miss, Hogan
she was the soubrette given he
notice. and ! gives you"-pointing 4
May Fenton-"the place"
The rejected fairly gasped "a be
wilderment, while the successful on
eomplacented congratulated herself OF
her promotion. Their chagrin wa
even more pronounced when the
found out from Jimmy after the per
formance that Adde'S special friend
was a barber around the corner. An
they were even more puzzled wbe
they spent all the next morning in
fruitless search for The Painted Gre
codile."
The following letter from May I,
Billy will explain matters:
Dear Billy.-They all fell for IT,
knew that Addie Smith had been rul
bering into my mail and when she 90
| hnId Of unlIr Intfnr she nu-a Ilnr.a !.