The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-08-24

Eagerly Manfred watched the prog
ress Of the game. He managed to
convey to Kilmer the impression that
his severity was.. In aid Of Kilmer.s
hopes and though ,Kilmer. at times
longed to thrash him, he could not
very we'll interfere with the man who
was trying to do him a service.
It was not until the last rehearsal
that Kilmer was able to report sucj
cess.
i've won out" he declared happily
on one Of the brief resting spells:
ITS been q tough game. but Loretta
has promised that she will marry me-
after the FIRST performance. You can
take Miss Crostic along to step into
the part, but Loretta wants to play 1T
just once" :
THAT will be all right" agreed Man
fred cheerfully. "1'll notify Miss Cros
tic to come along. Why don't you
come too?"
I'm coming" explained Kilmer.
Loretta wanted me to come and see
that she could play the part"
Manfred turned away to conceal a
smile. It would be an exhibition be-
yond question. 1t was pitiful that the
girl should suppose that she could
act after her. rehearsal experiences.
but the first week was to be spent in
one-night stands for the purpose Of
getting the company in trim for the
city opening, so 1t would not matter.
When the train went out carrying
The Contest" Feompany both Kilmer:
and Miss Crostic were aboard. Lor-
eta thrilled with excitement at the
thought that. her. brief stage career
was starting and she seemed to lose
some of the nervousness that was
her great fault.
At rehearsal she was as bad as
ever, but in the evening she was quite
another person. Manfred, standing in
the entrance by the curtain arch.
stared in amazement at the little
"Naida." who ran upon the stage Just
after the curtain rose.
The cold. colorless personality had
taken on the mask Of the character.
In makeup the girl was daxzlingly
pretty and she carried the scene with
force and nerve that brought Q round
Of applause on her exit
Bayss hurried back from the front
iei The hoYs2 and approached the
1.-THE hid has fooled VI ALL" he
cried delightedly. "shs was q bad
rehearser' that's all. She needs the
excitement Of the audience to get her
out Of her trance. but she makes it,
tie Crostic look like q stick !
y Il know It," groaned Manfred. I'D
give hundred dollars to have her
play the first night in town-but she'll
be on her honeymoon" 7.
She'll stay; she'll have to after
this. Go and talk to her in the inter.
mission" RI i
Manfred talked-through the inter.
mission and halfway through the next
act. He even left the stage to run
itself-and went out to argue with Xii.
mer. It was all of no avail. Kilmer
announced that they had been married
that afternoon and were determined
to 60 on their honeymoon.
The train with the company was
about to pull out and Loretta was say.
ing good.by to her friends Of a few
weeks. Kilmer wrung Manfred's
hand.
II never can tell you how obliged
I am" he said as the cry Of "AN
Aboard" rang out. Both Loretta and
] are grateful to you"
! You're welcome" said Manfred
grimly, but as the train pulled out and
left the star Of a night standing on
the platform he cursed the diplomacy
that had cost him so dear and Bayes,
standing by. murmured softly Il told
won so'-whfch ia colo comfort for a