The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-04-29
THURSDAY
ORPHAN IN DIAMONDS .'s5a4s,
CHAPTER ONE

THEY WERE moving Slowly up
the theater aisle when Walter
Kirkwood asked:
would you like to 90 backstage
and meet them"
The girl made a sudden stop.
You mean you know August
Drake and Larry Peyton?" Her
brown eyes were enormous with
doubt.
Walters freckled face crinkled
into smiles as he took her elbow
and propelled her forward once
more. You're not at all f1attering,
Anette. Yes, 1 know August quite
well and Larry decidedly well"
They were in the lobby now. Cold
waves of air swept toward them
from the street. II could claim we
were together in prep school or
some such tale-actually. we were
newsboy pals"
But you can me-" Walter smiled
a second time, a smile without
much humor. Again 1 say, you're
not at all catering"
They entered the alley leading to
the stage entrance, narrow, dirty,
depressing passageway. Icy winds,
product of Chicago's Lake Michi-
gan, swept grit into their faces.
Annette frightened her worn leopard
sport coat about her and dropped
her chin into its comforting collar.
Further sarcasm tinged Walters
voice as he shouted above the
frigid gale. Il suppose you can't
imagine Laurence Peytons ever
having walked through this filthy
alley, either ?"
The girl did not answer until
they were inside the heavy stage
door. Then she said, Sassy critter,
aren't you?"
Walter gave her one-Gided
grin. Nope. Just wondering II I'm
doing the right thing" He learned
the location of Larry Peyton's
dressing room from a less-grumpy-
than-usual doorman, and they
headed down a dank-smelling, ce-
ment cavern past a few minor
actors, stagehands and other visi-
tors.
"Peyton in his room7" Walter
inquired of the heavily bearded
character actor who had played
August brakes father.
rs he!" the elderly man ex-
claimed. With a firm clutch on
their elbows he escorted the visit
ing pair few feet and stopped be-
fore closed door. Then, in absurd
contrast to his air of dignity, he
made the vulgar motion Of slit
ting his throat with his forefinger.
Miss Drake Is paying him a call"
At that instant, August brakes
voice beat toward them, not the
well-known dulcet tones Of the IA
nous star. but loud ones Of unmis-
taxable rage. The character actor
cringed In simulated fear and left
hurriedly.
Walter opened the door Just as
Anette protested. Maybe we
shouldn't"
Don't be foolish. or course we
should. There is no possible moment
when actors don't want an audi |
ence." He pushed her ahead Of him
into the chintz-decorated, none-too-
clean dressing room, where they |
halted and leaned against the cold |
wall.
August Drake, still wearing the |
silver-foam. naughtily bare backed |
gown OF the final scene, stood be-
side Laurence Peyton's makeup
shelf. And the next time you plant |
your hand over my cheek in that
last love scene I'm going to bite Il.
Until the blood comes" She
snatched his hand, greasy with
theatrical cold cream, and spread
the fingers. Look at IT." she de-
manded, swinging to Anette and
Walter as II they had been partici-
pants in the entire disagreement.
What good does it do me to act
with that thing in front of my
face? No one can see me" She
slung 1t from her like 80 much
trash.
Then, as II the guests had just
she inquired with friendly
concern, How are you. anyway.
Walter? And lock the door so no
one else can get In
Walter obliged. then said with
I'm fine. But you prob
ably have disillusioned my little
friend for life. Up to now she's had
IDEAS about being an actress" He
pushed his companion to a padded
stool beside the leading lady, "Au-