The Lamar register., 1914-10-14

to this new demand upon his cheerful
ness. ''The fatalities may not be 50
great as at first reported. Who mixed
up the switchboard this timer"
"Delancy! she gulped.
delaney? What's he kicking
about?"
"Cramps!' she walled Cramps,
dog-gone him! 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 can't be re-
paired In time"
How inconsiderate Of him. mum
bled Blackie politely. still trying to be
brave. why. he's the grand lamar
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 shrieked. I'm 60
ing up to Squamosett and strange
Martha Trip with her own cockscrew
curlsr' 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 sobbed!
green. Cheer up" he begged. with
u feeble imitation Of his usual fiippant
heartiness and patted her automatical-
ly upon the shoulder. Cheer up. vi.
Say. for the love OF Mike. cheer up or
I'll go dippy myself!' 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.
1.-THE Lama's Goat" might have
come to n premature demise. there and
then. had not the distracted stage
manager invigorated Violet by burst
ing upon them at that moment.
Now the devil is to payr' he bawled
cut. "Lawrence'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 itT
saw his toes orr ordered Violet.
turning hercely upon him.
But protested the stage man
ager.
"Shut up" she cried. II told you
what to do; go and do 1t! And II you
bother me any more I'll drop the as
bestOs curtain drum on you. I say.
/ get out. blhthlt. nth uiiu.
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 he comes out. II
1t takes all night"
1 Violet looked at him and suddenly
laughed Honest. Blackie. wouldn't
be widow again for 81 100000 ali
mony- she confessed you needn't
watch at the foot OF the stairs. though.
for I've got n better job for you.
You've got to go on tonight and play
the Lama
Blackie laughed at her. SHOW me
my pest rienGs baby ana tell me to
murder 1t. aud I'll do it, but I refuse
to step into your aeroplane. Where
are you taking meT"
ITO Delancy's dressing ROOM" she
firmly replied, pushing him ahead Of
her by one elbow. like a country sher-
IN taking his FIRST local malefactor to
tue lOchup, uHu hS lutAofuDie hS Univ
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
gaudy array. and Delancy's own mus
sy assortment of grease paints lay
spread out upon Joseph's coat of
chamois skin.
But look here. W." persisted Black
lie, genuinely panic stricken; you don't
know what you're running me up
against. / can't
Take Off your coat and vest and col
lar and tie and shirt, and rub that cold
cream all over your face" she ordered.
''I'll be back as soon as I've seen
whether Melissa Trip is having fits
or only the ague."
Just one moment" commanded
Biackie, holding up compelling hand.
Are you on the dead level about
thisT
"Why. certainly am! You're exact
ly 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
pinp at hjs COLLAR