The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-05
EVENING STORY
Charley Zepp's Feet.

BY ARCHIE CAMERON NEW.
His chair propped up comfortably
against the door jamb. in The narrow
hallway leading from the stage OF the
sO1ympia theater to the back alley.
with adm red light casting its feeble
rays on his white hair. Baker, the
doorman, kept watch, smoothly, against
the trespass of unhallowed feet. And
then an unhallowed foot brought him
outstanding, and an unhallowed hand
on his stopped shoulder brought
frown. which quickly changed to a
grizzled smile as a bill shot under his
nose
Il say" piped avoice, "my good
man, will you give this card to Miss
Dolly Hart?"
"Um-m," came the answering grunt.
as Baker scanned the card, TN see.
I think her acts on now. Jes' wait"
Baker shambled off. but hadn't got
ten feet when a retaining arm shot
"Pss-t," Missed Charley Zepp. reach
ing for the card who's Dolly's John
n.y." Then as he read the card, he
turned surprised fact to Andy SEQ
bell, the property man. Shades of
Morgan, Andy, it's Piper!"
Piper echoed Andy. quizzically.
Where does he tend bar?''
Can it, Andy" growled Charley
Zepp. Hes no bar tender. His
daddy's names on most O. yer weekly
pay
Forests angel?" quizzed Andy,
puzzled.
Forests nothing" was the retort.
HE amt got nothin' to- do with tn
manager O. this house. He's president
o. tn Consolidated National Bank
worth about fifty million-oh, boy,
what awrite-up for Dolly!'
Soft pedal" admonished Andy. in
a hoarse whisper. you press agents
| re reg'lar nuts. Dolly's partner, Bill
| a 81 nNrs1I civ
t you if you go to framin' up Dolly
| with q money-masher. Besides this
don't look real-a bank president
Johnnying around stage
It's his son, not him." and zepp
gave Andy a scornful look. Besides.
y gotta be a fair property man before
~ can get t be a stage doorkeeper
| even, and that's ten jobs below press
| agent. So keep yer mind on yer own
business: This is my meat. oh. boyl"
/ Charlie Zepp started for Dolly's
| dressing room, and accosted the
| dainty little dancer just as she re-
| turned, painting, from the stage. Greet
ing him with a winsome smile, she in
vited him in. Cautiously he held his
breath until the door was closed.
well. what's up. Charley?'' she
demanded, dabbing cold cream on her
| slightly tinted cheeks-Dolly didn't
need much make-up-nature had
| saved her some expense on that score.
Charlie, hoarsley. you've got him
sittin' up an bars1in' for yeh."
/ Dolly blushed prettily. and soft
| glow suffused her face and neck
'Who-Billy? she asked, smiling1y
Good old kid-he's some boy"
Il "Billy be dinged.'' shot Charlie
scornfully. "A real one-a gilded
gusher-a dough-drippa-hc just
oozes millions of it,
That's not Billy. then" admitted
Dolly, still smiling; but he's "a
Course it amt" snapped Charley
''This is Piper-son O. tn big wal
streeter-he's waitin' for yeh outside
here's his CARD
For me?'' asked Dolly, with a puz
zled frown, scanning the card Charlie,
gave her.
Sure" insisted Charley, impatient.
ly. wants t. date y up for tonight
Bakers waitin' for an answer. Bigges
write up y ever had, kid. Better wraI
it up an hug it t yer bosom. Shall
1 tell i'm yes. an when?"
swat, Charley" Doliy's snailt
turned to a deep frown. ''Tkis is m,
business. I don't want to see him
: Tell him no.
Why" demanded the perspirint
press agent. Think of it, Dolly. Jus
go out with i'm once Jes' once-ant
> look at tn big headlines in tn papers
: Leave it t. me. James Piper's SoI
Counting Dolly Hart, the Irrepressibl'
! Iugenue.' Why, it means millions t
: yeh, kid"
But I can't marry him. L" Doll!
l ~ don't have t." assured Charlie
] eagerly. tho 1 ron't see why not
: He's a gold mine. But all y gotta d.
{ is string i'm along for a coupl dinners
5 an I'll do tn rest. Look where it'll
+ tn 'lectric sign out front. 'Hemsle!
Y and Hart---Dances Divine Or ever
8 Dolly Bart--tbe Irrepressible In
! genue.' Y can Drop Bill Hemsley.'
! Cut thar said Dolly. sharply
r ''whateNer comes off, Eills in on it
"Att riekt. all right" soothe'
HCt;ariey tijar. returaed to the alta ok
y Genre on. te1<e it whiie N takin'
: gdeS. ska; tell i'm yes"
:, OF the big e;sctr:c ei:.c. .E,r--teIl hin
TO ca,.- tt.rIycs.-s'.~ hight ana I'll lie
). him krow.''
: TEL hicl Just that srerred Doh,
''Bctter haf: then. surrepdere
a Charley, con=ert with a partial vic
y tory. Think OF Inc big pay. tn bi
" headlines--tfl' -"
:; The door closed behind him with
slam, and he returned to the hopefr
e Johnny, bidding him icusly to re
: turn tomorrow night and then h
u went about scattering the glad tiding!
= The news reached Hemsley in du
l. time. as it did also their fellow-player
" on the bill. The latter took it as
e triumph.
y Fine, Dolly" they congratulate
It her Invite US up on Fifth avenu
: when v get settled. will ye'?" An
If Dolly. jokingly. assured them that sh
# would even send her limousine afte
et them.
le But Billy ,Hemsley took it as