The Arvada enterprise., 1917-01-04
CHAPTER II.


Mr.. Campbell Pope was cynic He
had cultivated n superb contempt for
those beliefs which other people cher
ish. Most men attain success through
love Of their work; Mr.. Pope had be-
come an eminent critic because of his
hatred for the drama and all things
dramatic. Nor was he any more enam-
ored of journalism, being in truth by
nature bucolic. but after trying many
occupations and falling in all Of them
he had returned to his desk after each
excursion into other fields. FirstniGht
audiences knew him now, and had
come to look for his thin. sharp fea
lures. His shapeless, wrinklcd suit,
that resembled sleeping bag; his fan
mel shirt, always tiee>s and frequently
collarless. were considered attributes
OF genius: and. finding New York TO be
amazingly gulllble, he took n certain
delight in accentuatin4 his cccentrici-
ties. At especially prominent pre-
mieres he affected sweater under
meath his coat, but that was his nearest
approach to formal evening dress.
Further concession to fashion he made
nonA
| Owing to the dearth Of new produc-
lions this summer. Pope had under
taken series Of magazine articles de-
scriptlve OF the reigning theatrical
beauties. and, while he detested wom-
en- in general and the painted favorites
Of Broadway in particular. he had
forced himself to write the common
laudatory stun which the public de-
manded. Only once had he given free
rein to his incllnat tons and written
with a poisoned pen. Tonight how
ever. US he entered the stage door OF
Bersman's Circuit theater. 1t was with
= different intent.
| Regain. the stage-door tender, better
known since his vaudeville days as
THE Judge" answered his greeting
with a lugubrious shake of bald head.
I'm sick man, Mr.. Pope. Same
old trouble"
"M-m-m. Kidneys. isn't it?'
mo. rheumatism. I'm beehive
swarmln' with pains" The Judge
leaned forward, and a strong odor OF
whisky enveloped the cellar. Gould
you slip me four bits for some lInl-
mcntI"
The critic smiled. There's a dollar,
Regain. Try Scotch for a change. It's
better for you than these cheap blends.
And don't breathe toward lamp, or
you'll ignite"
The Judge laughed whcczlngly. 81
do take II drop now and then. See
here, you know all the managers. Mr..
Pope. Can't you find job for Lottie
| Devine?"
"Lottle Devlne. Why. she's your
wife. isn't she: She's n tribe old I'm
afraid"
Huh. She wigs up lot bettern
some of the squads In this troupe. Re
lIevc me, she'd tit any chorus"
why don't you ask Bergman"
Mr.. Rcgan shook his hairless head.
Hes dlppy on types This shows
| full OF 'cm; real blondes. real hrunettcs,
bold and dashn' ones. tall and state.
| lies, hluShcrs shrinkcrs, laughcrs. and
| N'''iNaAA-Hf ii' N'll Nlillll LOT Uldhea uD,
he wants EN- with the dew on. They've
got TO look natural for bergman. That's
some OF en- now" He nodded toward
u group OF young, frcsh-chcckcd girls
who had entered the stage door and
were hurry!ng down the hall.
"I'vc come to interview one OF Berg.
mans types that new beauty. Miss
| knight. Is she here YETI"
sure; her and the back drop too.
| She carries the Old woman for seen.
| cry Mr.. Rrgnn took the callers card
and shuill"d away, leaving Pope to
watch The stream OF performers as
they entered and made for their quar-.
! tors There were many women In the
number, and all OF them were pretty.
| Most OF them were ovcrdrussrl In tho
extremes Of fashion; few quietly
| CARRIED ladies ana gentlemen entered
| the lower dressing rooms reserved for
| the principals.
Meanwhile he exchanged greetings
with the s'nr-n clcnr.cycd man with
| the face OF scholar and the limbs OF
an athlete. The latter had studied for
the law: he bad the drollcst legs in tho
business, md hls salary exceeded that
Of Supreme court Justice. They wcr.
talking when Mr. Regain returned to
tell III" interviewer that he would be
received.
Pope followed 10 the next floor md
entered brightly lighted. ovcrhentcd
dressing room. where Lorciei and her
mother were waiting. II was Il Elnr.
Ing. stufYy cubbyholc ventilated BY