Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-07-31


OTIS. A door opened at the very end
and glare of light illuminated the
passageway.
The two policemen with their
three companions entered the lighted
place, and the door, controlled by a
spring, banged shut. All became
| dark as before.
II begin to see," muttered Jack.
"I'm going in"
He opened the door, which was
not fastened, and found himself in
. square lobby. An electric light
with strong reflector on the wall
halfblinded him. At one side was
little hutch like ticket-taker's
booth. 1t was empty.
Another door faced him; he pushed
It open. A peculiar odor, like that
of a newly whitewashed barber-shop,
gushed forth. This was not the first
time he had enjoyed this sort of
smell. 1t pervaded the Classic Club
when Jack had accompanied his
father there for rehearsal. He had
been given to understand that it was
the paint on the scenery contending
with actors makeup"
Jack gropei along a dark hallway
for few yards and came out on the
stage of theater.
The curtain was up; the footlights
and border-lights were on. By this
illumination Jack saw the white
draped orchestra seats and balconies
in great, black vault beyond. Men
in overalls were stacking "flats"
against the wall. The only other
persons on the stage were the two
plain-clothes policemen and-the
stocky man from No. 90 Teak Street!
The stocky man was showing the
officers a leather article which Jack
recognized as cestus. They evinced
interest, but no hostility. In fact,
the three seemed to be on the most
friendly terms.
No one spoke to Jack as he walked
forward. He learned afterward that
the stage doorkeeper had slipped
around the corner for some coffee
without the knowledge of the people
inside. They took it for granted that
any one getting past the doorkeeper
the most vigilant of his species in
Philadelphia-must have a right to
be on the stage.
"Why, how do you do, Mr.. Ladd?"
1t was the silvery voice of Therese
Darnley. Jack turned. For the mo-
ment he thought he was mistaken.
He saw girl in what she told him
| was "DracfiSe costume"
1t consisted of blouse and knick-
erbockers of blue serge. He told
himself when he was sure it was
Therese that it became her exceed
ingly we'll. Looking at her white
canvas slippers, he thought what
dainty feet she had.
"I-I-am very glad to see you,
Therese," he stammered.
She gave him one of those quiz.
zical smiles which always made him
feel rather cheap, even though he
admired them.
"Are you? That's kind of you!
But didn't expect to see you in the
Ixion Theater at this time Of night.
when, as Shakespeare says, it is at
odds with morning"
"It is late for you as we'll as me,
isn't it?" returned Jack, trying to re-
cover himself.
II am here for business. We are
going to rehearse our act. You have
heard of the 'D'Armee Family,
acrobatic clowns, haven't you?"
"Of course l have. saw them
with the Jungling Circus last sum.
mer."
"Yes. We have just come in after
our summers work. We open in this
theater next week. That's why we've
been rehearsing so hard. Working in
theater is different from perform
ing in tent, you know"
But why at this time of night?
asked Jack, resolved to get at the
bottom of the mystery while he was
about it.
well, you see, there are two
shows day at the lxion. You can't
often get the stage for rehearsal in
the forenoon because the stage
hands are busy and they make SC
much noise. So we have had to
come after the performance, between
twelve and two in the morning. Yor
may have noticed us all leaving ths
house late at night since we have
been living in Teak Street"
II have replied Jack dryly. "Bu
will you tell ME why are thos'
polio emen here? saw them come
in with you little while ago. The,
are talking to your father owe
there"
"Oh. yes. We are all going to DE-
an act for the benefit of the Polic'
Renclit Association next Tuesda!
afternoon. 1t won't be our regula
acrobatic act, but melodrama'i
sketch with great fight as tn
. wind-up
THAT thing in my fathers hand
"a ccstus. He and one of those ot
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