Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-07-17
HER
PANTONYIME
HERO
10 by Short story pub. Coz
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By ELLA FERRE

i have otherwise become enam-
ored with man in moving
picture. But that is just what hap
pened. Every night found her at the
show. Not being overburdened with
the coin of the republic, the girls of
her set went in punches" "Dutch
treat" Every night Nance made one
of bunch" and every night she saw
her hero in several different roles.
She had wept when as cowboy, he
was stretched by his neck from the
limb of a tree, only to gaze at him
with adoring eyes in the next picture,
making ardent love to charming
woman. She had seen him as hardy
frontlersman perform deeds Of daring
impossible for any but him to per-
form; she had suppressed a shrek
when wild Indians tied him to stake,
piled him about with brush and set
fire to It. AS the blaze burst forth,
and was about to envelop the strug-
Cling man, the picture went off the
was healed by his appearance in the
next picture, unhurt, skipping gayly
arm In arm with a pretty girl in a
mortar board, he himself being a col
lege student, full Of devlltry and tricks.
Up hill and down dale, through the
mazes of the different pictures, Nance
followed him, now laughing, now cry
ing, now secretly Jealous (for of the
women in the pictures to whom he
made love Nance was furiously jeal-
ous) Her chum Annie poked all man
ner Of fun at her, but Nance was sew
enteen and susceptlble-and SO It went.
The man of her admiration was GER
tainly flne-looking fellow, in the pic
lures. His motions were easy and nat
ural he did not scamper about, like
quail just out Of the she'll nor did
he roll his eyes, grin idlotlcally, and
nod his head rapidly back and forth,
as though 1t were on hinges; or grasp
his lady-love to his heart, In the spas
modlc, unnatural manner of so many
of the moving pictures. His every mo-
ton was natural and easy; his laugh
was spontaneously audible"
Nance said. The oftener she wit.
messed all this the deeper grew her
infatuatlon.
She carefully noted the names and
addresses of the producers of the films
In which her hero appeared, and wrote
them down In little book for future
reference. A determination had taken
root, to blossom into flower in her
mind. No less an idea than to wit
ness rehearsal of the actors for the
moving pictures and see in the flesh
the man she worshiped in pantomime
She studied over the subject for
some time. In love up to the top Of
her silly golden head though she was,
and with all the ardor of her seven
teen years, she yet shrunk from pre-
sentlng her pretty face at the door
of these strange people and stating
her errand.
Al last happy thought struck her
she would disguise herself and ask for
"A job as an actress. But after taking
her chum Annie into her confidence,
they decided that both should go to
the gallery. Annie was to apply for
the job and Nance was to be her
mother who accompanied her. No one
would notice shabby, bespectacled
old woman, huddled In corner wait
ing for her daughter
Accordingly, one night, arrayed in
their makeup" they went to one of
the prominent galleries on Nance's list.
They were grulily told to be seated
and wait awhile the "boss" was busy
This just suited them, and shrinking
in the shadow, they kept their ears
and eyes open.
Several men and women got up from
the seats, or strolled from one or more
Of the groups standing about, went
through various cOntortlons before the
camera, and retired, and others took
their place. As yet, however, Nance's
hero had not made his appearance
From the back of the stage group,
consisting Of a man, woman and three
children, came forward and sat on the
bench In front Of the girls The man
was tall, broad-shouldered and had
the look of an iron molder, or some
Kindred trade. He was rolling ciga-
rette as he advanced his face was
unshaven; his hair uncombed, and no
had the air of striker who had given
up hope He sank on the seat beside
the big, coarse, nabby woman and
took one Of the children on his knee.
'Whatcher goln' ter be tnlght, pop2"
asked the urchln, gazing admlrlngy
at the rings Of smoke curling around
pops" head.
search me-" replied pop" sending
more rings aloft.
Coin ter git kiltT persisted his
son.
Cant say. May git tied up ter
peacherlno, instead" he returned, life
lessly. His wife looked duly at him.
"Pm on fer a apple woman" she an
nounced.
"Yehf" indlfferently. He curled
more rings.
The watching girls behind him could
not help but hear the conversation Of
this group, as also the sallIes tossed
back and forth among the other groups
about the room. The girls were nearly
all chewing gum; the men were smok-
ing cigarettes; coarse talk and Jests
were heard on every hand.
The only time the man in front Of
them showed any interest was when
ana NJ tho pirla stole I'M behind one