The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-04
CHAPTER FIVE

THREE MINUTES later, when
Anette swept back into the wings,
Larry was waiting there, grin
flashing from self-confident feat
lures. It faded somewhat as the
still sobbing girl ignored him and
headed for an exit.
Before he could catch her, YER
razano was there, singing the
young actor to one side and at the
same time frenziedly dragging
Anette toward the wings. you lit
tie fool! Get out there. Can't you
hear that appIause?"
He thrust her back onto the
stage and stood savagely wiping his
eyes and nose as tide after tide Of
applause greeted his pupil. Natur-
ally the spectators did not know
Of actual heartbreak. They were
lauding a talented beginner whose
portrayal was so genuine she even
took her bows in characteristic
the wailing, Tilted girl of the play.
A joyous exclamation came from
Larry. Wow! All that for a little
kid from the country"
The dramatic coach looked up
over his shoulder. I'm surprised"
he answered with a malignant
sneer, you don't think thsy are
applauding you"
Not at all squelched, Larry said,
"They are, in a way"
VerraZano's arms sailed into the
air, then led his fists down to beat
upon his creased forehead. Never.
never" he denounced, have
known such monstrous conceit.
Really, your love Of yourself makes
Narcissus a meek. modest prude in
comparison. August Drake" he be-
rated with lightning rapidity,
SHOULD have left you in that
tenth-rate stock company right
where she found you. She should
leave you now and let you do
without her for a while"
The young actor stiffened. What
sense Of humor you have! August
Drake should try to do without me
for a while. That's what you mean.
Shed soon learn" He left off to
stare with frustrated surprise after
Anette who, contrary to. custom,
had bowed her way clear across
the stage and was exiting on the
opposite side.
AS ne whirled, Verraxano grasped
his arm. Calm down. Ham. You're
not going anywhere. Leave the girl
alone" On his face was a cold.
rather insulting smile. You think
you are so good. Hal / laugh. Why,
at Is you couldn't have touched
Anette's performance. That was
real acting" He hoisted his be-
whiskered chin. Yes, and I did
1t. Verrazano. the old-fashioned
dodo. That's who did it,"
Larry answered the professors
hooking smile with an identical
one. "Oh, did you now?" With a
forehnger he prodded the three
locks OF hair he still was holding in
his palm. These did II. These three
little curls SWITCHED from wigs over
at Daley's theatrical Supply house.
or course" he added with a laugh,
Il helped by making mild love to
her, then ignoring her; but these
were the climax. So you see, made
her cry"
For long moment Verrazano
was silent. so silent that Larry
began to fidget. yes" verrazano
agreed finally in soft words that
lashed through the younger mans
chortling egotism and brought
forth an uncomfortable ruddiness.
you made her cry. Now the prob
lem is to stop her"
Instantly Larry was his usual
self. Il can do that, too he volun-
teered confidently. '1ll bet I'm the
only person who can stop her"
The dumpy little man shook his
head with disgust. ooh. come now.
Svengal. well manage her some
how without your princely help. !
But that reminds me. We had a