The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1932-12-03
chapter q
STAGE DOOR JOHNNY


STAGE DOOR JOHNNY
olive was lacking in fnesse. He
~ had never had underhand deal,
Ings with woner To get In touch
with Lou-Lou he chose the course
that was most direct. Having wait
ed Till his wife and Dicky were
settled for the evening, he slipped
into his coat and lat.
Hearing movements. Santa called,
what are you doing. darlingT
Appointment with a friend"
That brought her into the hall on
the runs
what sort Of a friend21
sort OF business friend"
That's a 6b. You can't lie like
the truth. Besides"
He glanced back in the act of es-
Gaping.
Besides what2"
you mustn't leave me alone with
Dieky."
Santa, you'ie a fraud. Being
alone with Dicky ought to be sec.
ond nature"
AS he bent his steps toward the
glare Of Broadway. he thought fu-
riously. This Dicky business was
becoming more serious than he'd
anticipated More serious than even
Santa imagined.
The rendezvous that he was
planning was a strategy of despera-
ton. He set himsalf problem in
arithmetic: IL his marriage had
taken nine months to degenerate
TO this muddle, how many more
months would It require to bust up
completely?
Having reached the theater where
Lou-Lou disported, he bought au
orchestra seat ana handed . note
to the cier.. in the ofice.
please have It delivered"
The note read:
My dear Miss Lou-Lou, excuse
my familiarity--itss the only name
BY which l know you. IL yea can
spare me a few moments, l shall
be most grateful Ny business ts
urgent. II concerns friend Of
yours--Richard Oak.
He had written 1t over as many
times as a school-boy. bis object be
ing TO spur curiosity and at thg
same time TO prevent her from mis-
taking him for stage-ztrucl
Johnny.
He felt furtive, almost wicked
goung man On the loose. He VA
doing no worse than Santa. Never
2 theless. as he sank In his seat. b
was thankful for the darkness.
During the infermissIon an ct
tendant tapped him on the shoulder
Eat the end OF the performance
Miss Sandrelle will see you In hel
dressing-room."
He picked up . program and reat
Lou-Lou SandTelle on the list o
actresses. sandreIle was as good
name as any If you had been chris
tened Smith or Jones.
Miserably selfconscious. ct ths
anal lowering OF the curtain b
wandered into the foyer. EveryOn,
respectable was departing.
Il have an appointment with Mis-
sandrelle." he muttered, and VA
directed to the stage entrance.
Thence he was handed on through
scenery in process OF being dis
mantlsd. tin he found himself Out
side 9 door in a gloomy passage
With q sinking neart be tapped.
''Come In. o It's you!n
She grinned like q street-urchir
only partially clad and totally VI
embarrassed.
II troubled you, Miss Sandrelie--
'Ifyou're = friend Of Diclyss." 81
cut him short. 4you're . friend Q
mine. what about him2s
Perching on q stool before tn
mirror. she began TO powder be
arms and throat. That done. sh
redeemed her lips and dabhed he
ears with perfume. Give had neve
been treated 20 sights so intinat
BY any woman except Santa.
you're q nice boy" She spok
=sain. attempting to put him ct hi
ease. @rve a date with heal
That's the reason I'm squeezing 30
into my only spare moment"
lis your date with Dicky2a
"And II u is9- she glanced acroa
her cleaning shoulder.
He won't keep II. : Give sank b
head. "we're companions in misfo
tune--adrift In the same boat.
hate to tell you. Hes with my Wit
and there he'll stay TN return
break up the party"
The big. soft lump." was ID
only comment.