Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-05

Wnat Snc can IN the w0riu ana lCl
nothing stand in her way. Virginia
shows an ability for acting and is
given leading part in the school
play. This seems to displcase Kath
leen.
DALMERTOWN school had large
Il assembly hall in which the chapel
exercises were held each morning. The
school play was always held here, and
as there was very fair sized platform
which could easily be used for a stage,
and as tickets were sold all over the
town. the girls generally had n good
audience. There were always some men
who driftcd in from one of the nearby
colleges and many of the girls had
brothers and friends there. As Bunny
Heron told Virginia, Kathleen knew
more men at Grant than any other girl
In the school
They just flock around her, she ex-
planned you'll see"
1t was quite possible at Palmertown
for the girls to entertain men occasion
ally. Members of tho faculty chapcr-
oned by sitting in adjoining rooms. At
the school play there was always an in"
formal reception afterward and. NJ
though dancing was not allowed. re
rooms were thrown open, giving the
place a very festive appearance. Dc
casionally little groups of girls ana men
stole away to one Of the large sorority
rooms, and while one girl played the
piano, several couples would indulge III
surreptitous dance. Sometimes the
girls would be caught and punished
later, but for the most part no one
intruded, as the sorority rooms were
the girls own.
The night of the play Kathleen was
radiant. Several men she knew were
coming to the affair and, known only
to herself, she had very extreme
frock to slip into after the play was
over. She counted on making her ap :
pearance complete triumph. All Jeal =
ousy Of Virginia had been forgotten, in
the prospect of this thing she contcm
plated. Her gown made her look at
least twenty five. and it showed con
siderable more Of her smooth neck ant
shoulders than was permitted IN the
school. She was certain that beside her
Virginia would look like n. schoolgirl.
Virginia was excited ami nervous.
She stood for a moment with Kathleen
peeping through tiny hole in the cur
tain and her heart quaked at the sea
of faces that stretched away in the
dusk of the auditorium. Could she pos
sibly go on as Anatole? Could she ever
sing that Humbug song as she had
sung it at rehearsals? Her heart mis-
gave her and her hands shook. Hei
cheeks we're hot. Already she was hav-
ing stage fright.
'Therc's Jimmy" Kathleen was say
ing excitcdly. And he has some on,
with him. the best looking man.
wonder who he is, Here, look. Virginia
there's Dick Powers. You krow l tolt
you about him. He played quarterback
for Grant last year. He's Junior"
Virginia was trembling so that sh'
could hardly keep her eye at the peep
hole. She shivered and gave the place
TO Kathleen. who looked at her curl
eusly. -.
"Are you nervcus?'
Virginia nodded. Aren't you?'
Kathleen shook her head. mo:
love it," and then as the orchestra be
gan to tune up "We'll have to go now
they're calling us And both girl
ran back to the wings.
BY the time the curtain went up OF
the convent scene with the two sentrie
walking up and down before the gates
Virginia was panic stricken. She fount
some comfort in the fact that Bum.
Heron was just as frightened RS sh
and Runry had two songs alone be
sides the final duet with Kathleen
Bunny scoffed at the idea Of Nirgini;
'Hzzling' on the Humbug song.
You'll forget all about it as soon IA
you're on the stage she assured her
And Virginia found that this was true
Just as soon as she vert Oh with he
pack on her back and her short crink
ling black hair standing out all aroun
her small face she forgot everything bu
the part. She was Anatole, the olt
peddler, and she winked at the audienc
AZ she began TO cry her wares. Sh
skipped like sprite around the stage
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