Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-08-19

manager in,igorated violet 3 burst

manager invigorated Violet ~ burst
ing upon them at that moment
Nov the devil II to payv' hs bawled
out "Lawrencs's boots for the second
act have just come in. ana they're IAN
inch too short. What in Texas are we
going to do about itr'
saw his toes or. ordered Violet,
turning fiercely upon him.
But protested the stage man.
ager.
"Shut up" she cried. II told you
what to do; 60 and do It! And IL you
bother me any more I'll drop the as
bestos curtain drum on you. say,
get out! Blackie. lick himv'
"Sure," accepted Blackie, glad for
any relief from his own surcharged
feelings, and he made dash for the
stage manager. who beat him up the
stairs by two lengths and locked him
self in Lawrence's dressing room.
Blackie returned apologetically. HE
got away from me-" he explained in
some shame, "but I'll watch Mt the
foot Of the stairs till hs comes out, II
Il takes all night"
Violet looked at him and suddenly
laughed. Honest. Blackie. wouldn't
be widow again for 100000 ali
mony," she confessed. "You needn't
watch ct the foot Of the stairs. though.
for I've got a better Job for. you.
You've got to 60 on tonight and play
the Lama
Blackis laughed at her. "show me
my best friends baby and tell me to
murder It, and I'll do 1t, but refuse
to step into your aeroplane. Where
are you taking me?"
ITO Delancy's dressing room," she
firmly replied, pushing him ahead of
her by one elbow, like country sher-
III taking his first local malefactor to
the lookup, and, as memorable MS unre-
lenting fate, she pushed him up the
stairs and into the star comedians
dressing room, where the grand lama's
costumes hung upon their hooks in
saudy array. and Delancy's own mus
~ assortment Of grease paints lay
spread out upon Josephs coat of
chamois skin.
"But look here, W." persisted Black
ae. genuinely panic stricken: you don't
know what you're running me up
against. can't
Take OF your coat and vest and col
lar and tie and shirt, and rub that cold
cream all over your face" she ordered.
'I'n be back as soon as I've seen
whether Melissa Trip is having fits
or only the ague."
"Just one moment" commanded
Blackie, holding up compelling hand.
"Are you on the dead level about
this7"
"Why. certainly / am! You're exact
~ Delancy's size. You know all the
lines. business and cues. and you know
the words and music Of every song.
You play the Grand Lama tonight"
But sing like pig under barbed
wire fence" still objected Blackie,
who, however, had already removed
his coat and vest and was now tug
ging at his collar.
Violet disdained to answer that fool
1sh objection and started out the door,
but Blackie recalled her.
"You win," he gave in. "but want a
case Of 100 proof rye up here in five
minutes"
Violet turned and contemplated him
thoughtfully. II believe that is no
BILE little idea" she agreed IN send
for 1t right away. but you must let me
feed II to you. There's nobody in this
world. not even you yourself. can tell
as good as can when you've got just
the right edge on"
Somebody repeated Blackie's first
cue to him three times little later on
and pushed him on the stage. He ut
tered the well remembered first line in
q dazed air to no one In particular, and
out In front everybody laughed. As
one in dream Blackie went through
the part Of the Grand Lama in pre-
cisely the manner in which for a
month he had been urging Delaney to
play It. When the curtain rang down
on the first act Miss Devoe hated him
for life, for the recalls were all for
him. Violet Bonnie threw her arms
around him with gurgles Of Joy.
This Il the proudest minute of my
Lief" she exclaimed.
'tGive me a goblet Of rye" begged
Blackie huslily.
"Clear!' yelled the stage manager
to the pro tenn star comedian and his
wife.
"Get out Of the road, your snapped
q grip man al he slammed past them
with a set Of marble steps on his
shoulder.
The next Blackie remembered was
having his costume torn OF him in
the dressing room and another one
thrust upon him.
you'd better step out and tell them
that Delancy's sick and that an under
study was put on at moments no.
Hce," he suggested in his only lucid in
tefval. RS
Somebody laughed at that. 1t sound
ed like his wife. Then he was on the
stage again and great peals of laughter
1IUM. READY FOR LON