The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-04-20
Chapter IA
The Big Question

DAUL went on with his painting
! for moment or two without
speaking.
Il heard you'd played leads in
local plays" he said finally But
that's quite different from appear
ing professionally you know"
'Yes, of course" said Kathleen.
but how can one become a pro-
fessional without an opportunity?
I'd be glad to take the Smallest
sort of part-just for the expert
ence on real stage"
AS matter of fact there are
several parts for extras in the
play" Paul said thoughtfully.
But all they do IS some ad-lib-
bing. / mean there are no real
lines to be spoken"
Il see" said Kathleen. "Oh,
well. just getting into the atmos-
phere of the theatre will help"
Paul laid down his brush. wiped
his hands on a piece of soiled
cloth. Then he stood looking down
into Kathleen's lovely eyes. What
a sweet and appealing little. thing
she was. Easy to look at. Easy to
want to hold close.
IF you're a good little girl" he
said gently. maybe can arrange
for you to have a part that does
have lines. There's a girl in the
play who has a short scene with
the leading man-and | rather
imagine we could do it together"
"You mean I'd play a scene with
you?" said Kathleen.
"Yes. Do you mind?"
Mind? I'd adore it."
'Then we shall see what we
shall see"
"Oh. Paul." Kathleen said. her
voice husky with excitement,
you're a darling"
Paul laughed. Don't be too
sure of that. my DEAR" he said.
"Wait until you've attended few
rehearsals."
"I'll take chance!" said Kath-
zen. "All sorts of chancesl" Then
she had an idea. "Can you. get
away now?"
eyes" said Paul. "Even actors
have to eat"
Then come on back to town
with me" said Kathleen. 1--WE got
Uncle Franks car. / told Lizzie to
prepare nice lunch. and you can
help me eat it"
"That." said Paul. els the incest
thing I've heard this morning.
Wait here. while / slip into my
dressing room and get respecta-
ble."
Don't be long" Kathleen called.
as he hurried away. "I'm hungry"
Listen. Ruby"
DAUL almost ran into Ruby on
L his way to the dressing room
quarters. She eyed him with one
brow slightly arched.
Il couldn't help overhearing
part of what was said" she re-
marked. "Up to the old game. I |
suppose. Holding out the promise |
of part to pretty girl-fixing
1t so you'll have someone to feed |
your egop Her voice grew hard,
unfriendly. Its a mean trick to |
play on a girl. Paul-and you
know it."
Listen. Ruby" said Paul. His
voice was also unfriendly. you're
holding out the promise of getting
play produced. SO that a small
town Adonis can hang around and
adore you. so don't start preach |
ing to me-"
'I'm really interested in his
play" said Ruby. my motive
isn't purely selfish = and if the
play is any good. Joe will profit.
But YOU know perfectly well that
all Kathleen Vaughan will get
out of her association with you is
a lot of heartache and disillusion-
ment."
Paul shrugged Sorry. / can't
go into the matter right now.
Ruby. my sweet" he said. "Kath-
leen's waiting to drive me into
town for lunch. See YOU at to-
nights performance"
Il hope" said Ruby with deep
feeling. that some day some girls
father or brother or husband
blacks both of those beautiful
eyes of yours"
Thanks for the good wishesl"