The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-04-12

girl fell forward and was saved from
4 drop to the stage by the quick action
of the girl beside her. who caught the
falling figure in her arms and let her
gently sink to the stage. She knew the
story of those tight shoes. Mildred
had borrowed them from a friend in
order that she might make n good ap-
pearance hen she joined the show.
She knew the agony the girl must have
suffered when the heavy boot came
crashing down upon the numbed foot.
For a moment Webster stood looking
at the PROSTATE figure. Then he went
back to his position just in front of
the footlights. There were angry MUIR
murs from the girls, and at heart Web
ster was a coward. If he gave them q
chance to grow more angry they might
attack him in a body, as had happened
a couple of years before.
stop your fooling and get to workr'
he commanded sternly. "All right,
Boris"
But Boris held the violin in his lap
as he watched the girls raise Mildred.
He saw the brave effort she made to
hold her place in line, and the white
face told how close she was to fainting.
THAT girl can't work. You've Grip.
pied her." he called angrfiy.
Webster turned.
1.-THE girl is faking.' he said roughly.
"You, miss, come back to line"
Il can't walk" sobbed Mildred.
Webster strobe over to where she
was sitting and grasped her arm.
you can and will.' he declared. IF
you don't you'll leave the company"
He jerked her TO her feet. But with
a little cry the girl slipped to the floor
again, and some of the others rushed
to her aid. Webster turned to order
them back. But he faced Boris, who
had leaped to the stage. and one glance
at the leaders face told of trouble.
you're not going to rehearse. and
you're not going to fire that girl" said
Boris angrily, land you're going to get
one first class licking right now. Put
up your hands,"
1t was not a long fight. but it was a
highly artistic punishment.
He left Webster covering in a corner
and approached the little group about
the girl. Raising her in his arms. he
bore her to her dressing room, where
the other girls got her shoes off and
applied hot dressings. Boris brought a
dozen liniments and salves and how
cred about the door in case more were
wanted. Belle Byrie. who played the
old maid. smiled at the look in his face.
Hard hit, Dick?" she asked, with a
laugh. 81 don't blame you. She's a
nice little thing. 1 suppose Wen be
taking up a collection for a present be-
fore the seasons over"
Nonsense stammered Dick. 81 lust
wanted an excuse for licking Web
ster."
want to bet?" asked Belle teasing
ly. Boris shook his head. Down in his
heart he knew that IL it were possible
he would win the dainty girl who had
been much in his thoughts since she
Joined the company. Her thanks were
a reward that would have atoned even
for the loss of his position. but Castle
when he heard the facts sustained the
leader.
1t was three months before Boris got
up the courage to put his fate to the
test. and 1t was Webster who was the
first to congratulate them.
"A girl who wesrs tight shoes needs
some one TO protect her." he said. with
characteristic sarcasm. I'm glad to
hear it. Dick deserves to be happy.
and-I guess he will" he added as he
looked into the girls eyes, where love
shone forth. :