Evening star., 1923-05-06

"Oh, is that SOP" Harry demanded
belligerently. Il suppose you think
she'd like a monkey better. Try 1t
and see how far you'd get"
For moment the two men faced
each other, equally startled by the
ennity which had flashed out be-
tween them. Then Harry laughed.
Let's cut it" he exclaimed. What
does that doll-faced kid mean to us?"
Both men drew back from the prec-
ipice of anger, recalled by a knowl-
edge that in open warfare lay mutual
disaster.
Two days went by and then one
afternoon as the monkey and the
man made their way off stage Bert
surprised a look between Harry and
the girl. This time Bert said moth
ing, but afterward In the dressing
room, when Harry did not join him
at once as was his custom. Bert step
ped out.
Harry and Masie were holding a
iow-voiced conversation down the
hall Bert, unconscious of his make
Up or his shambling gait, walked
toward them.
"Oh, Ayres!" one of the other ac-
tors called. Your monkeys waiting
for YOU"
When they reached their rooms
Bert turned savagely upon his part
ner.
so you couldn't let her alone" he
said.
What's that to you?" Harry de-
manded.
Nothing except amt going to
let YOU do it,
You amt The laugh which fol-
lowed carried a taunt which stung.
I'D like to see you stop me- Go
ahead. I'd like to see monkey
making love"
Bert went to his own room and
shut the door. He did not see his
Partner again until he entered with
a tray. IT was half an hour before
his usual time for dinner
I'm hurry. aren't youo" Bert sus-
gested.
Sure got date. Remember,
I'm not playing a twenty -four-hour
act"
Just what do YOU mean by that"
Whatever YOU want to make of it,"
Harry answered lightly. But | told
the management that when I go out
lock you in. They don't want
ladies frightened by a monkey in the
halls"
Bert clenched his hands and only
his throbbing temples told his pas
sion.
Il may go on two-a day schedule
myself" he answered evenly.
Or nothing at ALL" Harry added.
The way you were when / picked
YOU up. Well, so long. I never
keep a lady waiting"
With an airy wave of his hand he
left the room. There had been a
deliberate taunt in the words and the
gesture which left Bert in a helpless
rage.
THE girl was watching an act on
J. the stage and as Bert came near
her descending scene almost
struck her shoulder He lunged
forward and pulled her from it's path.
she stared at him and shrank back
Bert released his grip, suddenly con-
scIous of his makeup, and then
Harry was at their side.
Don't be afraid" he laughed The
monk is harmless. Why, Chino is a
hero when it comes to rescuing
ladies'
Bert glared up into the laughing
eyes of his partner. For a moment
he hated them both. hated the girl
as he did Harry for his malicious
words.
Il wasn't afraid" Masie said. with
an embarrassed laugh. Il guess I
was just startled"
Bert did not see her again that
night nor did her name come up
between the partners. Harry was
and Bert retired into that hidden
country in which he lived alone. For
was he not Chino, the headliner. the
feature of the bill, coming a fortune
where others only existed, getting
the laughs where others won cool
stareso
But the following afternoon he
hung about the dressing room hall.
At last Masie appeared and he step
ped up beside her. Unconsciously he
Strengthened to his full height, and
the girl looked around with little
gasp Of astonishment.
Did you think I was a monkey?"
he demanded.
mo. it's only out front they be-
lieve that. But I thought
"You thought 1t was some sort of
freak he finished grimly. well.
I'm not. And / want to talk to you
Not here. Some place where 1 don't
have to wear this makeup. How
about tonight for dinner?"
I'm sorry. but I've got a date"
With Ayres? see He works
fast. Then make 1t tomorrow morn
Ing. How about eleven. I'll call at
your hotel"
The next morning Bert sent his
name up to Masie. She came down
almost at once and the startled look
she gave his erect figure as he
walked toward her was vividly indi-
cative of the strange object for which
she had been prepared.
How did you think I was going to
look?" he asked curtly.
II didn't know" She stammered
little. "Not so good looking, some
how. Why do you do the other?"
THE monkey make-up?" He laugh
ed at her little grimace. Because 1t
pays. He-beauty doesn't get you any,
where in vaudeville You look differ