The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-16

nv spontaneous conversation and
fun. rehearsals for Maid to Meas
ure'' went forward steadily on FIJI
dav and Saturday. Bill Bailey and
Gayle took turns at directing and
acting.
you can act some, but you can
direct better" Bill told Gayle.
you'll get by in the cast, though
She realized the truth OF that.
Bill was really talented at dra-
mates. He just seemed to sense
what was good, or how to make It
good. He could change a careless
" written line or two in the come
DIV script and make it sparkle more
than the author had. He could
originate stage business little
movements for the actors to make,
short asides, life-like EXPLANATIONS
and expressions. He could step up
stage and demonstrate what he
meant, also.
Gayle, a natural leader, could
help others develop themselves, but
became a trifle stiff when in char
acter herself. She had the lead
feminine role, and Bill said she
would improve before an audience.
That young man did a lot OF re-
hearsing with her. The script
called for him to kiss her perfume.
torily twice, and very lovingly and
This latter he deemed worthy OF
much practice.
stop it, Bill Bailey" Gayle
barked at him once, while every
body else laughed at them. You
are supposed to kiss me just once
in this scene. You kissed me three
times!"
He grinned, still holding her IN
his arms there On the stage. you
kissed me back"
.I-well, it was before l thought.
I do not allow boys to kiss me.
I am quite serious about it. l IN
tend to be an old maid, or enter a
convent or something. Men are ter
rible." Her expression quite belled
her words, but she tried to be Sc
we're.
Terrible" Bill echoed, clucking.
fought to be a law against EN-.
Then another girl could take my
part and kiss you-just IKE
this He stole another kiss
and wisely fed.
Gayle threw a book at him
only missile at hand-and gave
chase. The other six girls shrieked
in laughter. Jeremy Tucker, who
hadn't been sure how much Of all
this was kidding. looked somewhat
alarmed. Bill ran into the first row
of empty chairs, fell and came up
running and laughing still. Gayle
pushed a chair at him and backed
him into a corner:
For a hilarious moment they
wrestled there with a chair held
between them, and across tn
great room Graham the butler
came in, his middle-aged and dig
MED mouth forming an TO-"
When he perceived that the bed
lam did not entail any bloodshed'
after all, he withdrew. He went to
Wallace, the cook. for consolation
about it.
Trouble wit you is, Graham
you try to buttle everybody, see?'
Wallace grinned at him. Now me,
l amt so damned old a. you ane
the old gent and that Weems.
amt even so. Let them kids play
Wasn't you ever a kidd"
Graham looked as if the though
was inconceivable, but he said nj
more. He went ~discreetly to an
other part of the mansion, where
things were less irregular.
Immediately after noon on Fri
day Bill Bailey left The Oaks. HI
had also gone away on Thursda,
afternoon, offering nc explanation
Gayle wondered a little about it
thinking that he should have stayee
to supervise the rehearsals a. onl.
he could do. And on Saturda.
about 4:30 it evidently occurred t.
him that his absences ought to b.
explained.
Listen, Gayle" he spoke to he
in private, 'have you heard any
thing at all from the police? o
from-from your Maudie, or what
ever her name ISL"
Her real name is Mrs. Holm