Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-08-27

Si''iI, tStdiiltN tIl 'uIttLll- 'lItCi Ill less which was explained when. over the nasty sandwich that formed hei dinner. she observed to the only com panion who was unrullled enough of disposition to remain with her through it all
 "Blackie. it's d pipe! Never in the history of the Big Lane was there q production that started off with se many signs of being q winner If we'd had d smooth rehearsal this morning and everything else had gone off as gay as an election bet wine fest I'd have been out right now ordering q calla lilly Rock of Ages and being measured for my crape.'
 At 7:15. however. she sent q hurry up call for Blackie. who was already in the lobby with Wallingford. gloat- ing serenely over the advance sale. Hastening back, Blacke found Violet Bonnie seated in a lonely state upon tile temple steps of the gorgeous first act set.
 Its all over, Blackie,' she said, with stiff lips which somehow stretched and pulled and numby hurt as she tried to form the words. Somebody has sure put a Dutch hex on this show." and she twisted q lace ker chief into rough little string.
 Cheer up.' begged Blackie. respond ing nobly. though with q sinking heart to this new demand upon his cheerful ness '"rhe fatalities may not be SD great as at first reported Who mixed up the switchboard this time?"
 Delaney" she gulped.
 "Delaney? What's he kicking about?"
 Cramps" she walled Cramps. dog-gone him. I just got a note that he's had three doctors. and guess a plumber. trying to take the kinks out of his stomach, but he cant be re. paired in time"
 Flow inconsderate of him.! mum- hled Blacllie politely, still trying to be brave. Why. he's the grand lama" he exclaimed. awakening suddenly to the enormity of the blow. "This show can't go on without lama. What are you going to do, girl?'' "Do:" she half shriekcd "I'm go ing up to Squamosett and strangle Martha Tripp with her own cockscrew curls." And suddenly for the first time in her life she gave way to com plete despair and threw her arms around Blackie's neck and sobbed- actually sobbcd.
 Blackie was scared to a pale Nile | green. "Chccr up," he begged. with a feeble imitation of his usual flippant heartness and patted her automatical ly upon the shoulder. "Cheer up. Vi Say, for the love of Mike. cheer up or Ill go dippy mysclfw And he looked about him wildly for some place to sit down. for Violet was no bantam. and she was leaning her full weight against ! him
 "The Lama'S Goat" might have come to premature demise. there and then. had not the distracted stage manager mvigorated Violet by burst ing upon them at that moment.
 Now the devil k to pay!' he bawled out. "Lawrcnce'S boots for the second act have just come in, and they're an inch too short What in Texas are we going to do about it!'
 Saw his toes orr" ordered Violet turning fiercely upon him.
 "But."- protested the stage man | a@cr
 "Shut up." she cried. II told you what to do: go and do it. And if you bother me any more I'll drop the as. hestoS curtain drum on you. say. 1 get out. Rlackir. lick him.
 Sure" accepted Rlackie. glad for any relief from his own surcharged | feelings. and he made a dash for the stage manager. who beat him up the stairs by two lengths and locked him self in I.awrence's dressing room Blackie returned apologetically. He got away from me-" he explained in some shame. but I'll watch at the foot of the stairs till he comes out. if it takes all night"
 Violet looked at him and suddenly laughed. Honest. Blackie. l wouldn't be a widow again for $l.000000 ali mony" she confessed You needn't watch at the foot of the stairs. though. for I've got q better job for y