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Blue-grass and Broadway

Chapter 3 No.3

Word Count: 8252    |    Released on: 01/12/2017

once heard, cannot be mistaken. Such a man is apt to cherish what other men call "impossible ideals about women," and it behooves his masculine frie

ether. By very solid banking and brokering Mr. Vandeford enjoyed and increased for himself and an aristocratic, Knickerbocker-descended mother a few ancestral millions. Incidentally, he took care of the sole hundred thousand dollars of which Mr. Vandeford's high financiering on Broadway had left him posses

ith Mr. Vandeford in the early morning in the latter's rooms afte

his Chinese slippers, up on the edge of the mahogany reading-table in his living

g stage hands, cursing director and cursing star, paint, powder, electricity, pap

e that stretches to the next block plunk down dollars that they have earned at their own particular combinations of life to see the combination you have made of yours. Why, tears come into my eyes when I see some little, old, dried-up seamstress pay a dollar to sit in the roost to see Gerald Height love the powder off of Violet while she is cursing him under her breath for so doing, and it tickles me u

lithe body with the agility of a frolicsome puppy who knows he is going into mischief, and

t into something in five years. If it

all Vandefords into pretty good American citizens

now nothing about; thank God for that same ignorance," Mr. Vandeford commanded.

erly reservations already related. The eye-teeth of Mr. Dennis Farraday were very precious to Mr. Godfrey Vandeford, and he had the intention of taking great care that their edges should not be dulled. It was we

their fringes of black, trilled a vulgar, Irish street song in accompaniment to sundry provocative swayings of her lissome, maturing young body, and thus had made enough impression on her world to hang on by the tips of her fingers until she dropped into the

lt Highcliff in the artist's colony of the Beach for the joint domicile of mother and daughter. However, it is easier to bathe, comb, manicure, and luxuriously clothe a body than it is to renovate a soul, and within the Violet Maggie dwelt in all her gutter vigor. It is also safe to say that perhaps it was no little part of

top of the bodice in front and put folds five inches deep across the back. Let it come just below the shoulder," she comma

oiselle-" Su

d the protest, laughing as she tossed her pale, yellow mane high on her head, and dabbed a little curl against her che

ce with very few garments alors," Susette po

answered the mistress, as she further perfumed and painted the lily of her b

d, and fastened the one or two hooks that held it in place over the filmy undergarments in which the Violet st

hen I ring for it." And leaving the admiration of Susette, the Violet hurried down to drink from t

were the words with which the victim greeted the Violet, while his eyes offered the

or old Van," she answered, with not a little

learned in the Nova Scotia woods." Mr. Farraday laughed a big laugh, which had in i

o to come back to New York to-night. I've just motored him up the beach to catch the eleven-fifte

th a merry laugh as he ruffled his red forelock up off hi

th telling effect, as she often did. "He left a thousand apologies for you," she added, slipping back i

we can have supper with them. Wouldn't you like that? We can tell them about poor Van." He was as

olet, with a flash of her whit

tress's hair. She assisted the Violet's discreet Japanese butler to put them into the big car, which Mr. Farra

to herself as she turned ba

ts of the scant fig-leaf, were eating and drinking together sparsely because of their intention of taking a midnight plunge in the breakers under the hot moon, while other women in radiant evening garb were almost as scantily attired, though attended by stuffily garbe

o had danced fifty thousand dollars out of New York the winter just ended. His

which Trevor smiled, and under his brea

ank

een, but we came on to glad with you anyway," Mr. Farra

its invitation against the roaring call of the ocean, and at his word Simone rose from

out on the waves of sound just as she would later float on the waves of the ocean after she had plunged from the steps to l

Dennis Farraday and during which she discovered that there is such a thing as honor among men about poaching on other m

as they flew along the beach with rubber t

day, with a protective laugh,

e Violet answered, with a tentati

this, but we can limp along on a few ideas without him, maybe. What do you think of 'The Purple Slipper'?" As he set the car at an easy pace he turned and l

smile that answered his enthusiasm adequately and which served

us in situation, but it is full of comedy adventure in line, and I can just see the audience eat you up in it. I told Van so, and I bought in before I had read more than half the second act.

nst my comedy?" the Violet asked, with

e the sensation of Broadway for the early fall, and I agr

made it a double on the fate of Mr. Dennis Farraday as a theatrical producer. However, that fact may have been balanced by the fact that it was the third cros

rand time we'll all have putting it across! I'm going to help Van see actors for the cast on Friday, and I'm going to sit in on rehearsals straight through. I'm due a month's vacation, and I'm going to have

it left her heart uncomfortably cold; and beautiful, cool moonlight heats the heart of

nto the situation, using the brogue that was like rich cream poured over peaches, as she snuggled her bare s

r the fun, and I'm no end grateful to yo

" she hedged in a m

s have been obliged to beat Van at any game before I could rest in peace." And at the thought of getting in at his David big Jon

of all?" the Violet asked softly, as the car swept

fice from everybody, suspected that they could not be real, and this suspicion made her give up the game for the time bei

od at the bottom step looking up at her, she vanished into the darkness of the house, leaving him out

for him. Scout has just got to do something about it all. She's a fine and devoted woman. And beautiful-whee-ugh!" The big thirty-year-old boy ended his soliloquy with a whistle, which showe

s the soliloquy of the Violet as she prepared for her slumber of beauty. Another questio

umber of the people involved life became very hectic. The center of the whirl was Mr. Adolph Meyers, though he was saf

g of the day set for the picking of the cast from those probably suitable chosen by Chambers, the invaluable agent of the g

as his advance on the scenery for 'The Rosie Posie Girl,' provided he furbishes up something that will do for the little road sally of Violet's spanking-machine, to be emblazoned as 'The Purple Slipper' on the cheapest black bills ever run off in New York. Give Hugh Willings a thousand advance for the music of 'The Rosie Posie Girl,' but make him write as many as six waltz song

tumes for the 'P

ith a wave of the cigarette in his hand, Mr. Vandeford dismissed the scenic effects of the play for whose dé

costume play of a period," the hum

won't be worn more than two weeks. I guess Violet will be in line by that time." With which significant order Mr. Godfrey Vandeford turned from

.

Godfrey Vand

.

would like to stage a litt

.

efore 'The Rosie Posie Girl.' New line for her,

.

a Hawtry whim that I have got to let her get out of her system. One hundred a week is my limit,

.

work off steam before we start 'The Rosie Posie.' Yes, Will

.

osie' scenery now. We'll start 'The Purple Slipp

began pecking out on his machine the notes that were to guide his chief in picking the artists who were to embody t

r himself on Broadway by the name of William Rooney, Pops?" inquired

red Mr. Meyers, with a glint in his gem-like eyes and a w

whole company, and me included," said Mr. Vandeford, without taking the trouble to note the wave of gratified pride, devotion, and embarrassment that swept over the countenance of

oyal Adolph under his breath, with a glance of

dangerous to arouse the affection and loyalty of

famous-actor-photograph-bedecked, private office beside that eminent producer, and watched the strong light from over their shoulders reveal the points of the men and women who came in to exhibit themselves. From the moment they entered th

ry large lady of uncertain age-an age artfully covered with rouge, powder, pencil, and lip-stick-who sank into the chair facing him with a pathetic

rom you that I have put on the pounds, Mr. Godf

eemed a lack of delicacy to Mr. Dennis Farraday, who blushed with a color equal to that

o the broiler class. Good-day, sir," and she prepared to sweep out of

as smouldering. How'll seventy-five a week, with costumes of frills and powdered hair, do you? Thirty sides and the center of the s

e laughed, and sobbed on Mr. Vandeford's should

w run!" Mr. Vandeford gave Miss Bébé Herne's two hundred pounds of avoirdupois a gentle shove tow

horrified confrère as the door closed behind the old beauty. "Picked up Wallace Kent when he was a piffling, faded juvenile, and ta

ay, with a great deal of emotion very po

n life! Dopes a bit, but c

r plough. His hair was long and sleeked close to his well-shaped head, but his fine mouth and chin sagg

voice, and, as he spoke, took from a case a car

, still standing and with not an atom of enc

in stock at Buffalo. I've worked

from the paper in his hand prepared for his guidance by the indefatigable Mr. Meyers.

, very pleasantly, and he took a grip on his hat and stick

youngster's looks and charm were so evident that it pained him to see "The Purple Slipper"

the boy, almost, but not qu

morning, Mr. Leigh," was the answer his concession got along with the dismissal in t

. Dennis Farraday. "Handsome young chaps who have any kind of

ther gasped his partner in the a

know-it out of his system. Dolph will make him co

whom you are trusting your money and reputat

Mr. Vandeford. "Next!" and he pressed a button und

simpered. Mr. Godfrey Vandeford chose the two who glowered and simpered and

bunch," commented Mr. Dennis Farraday, with interest th

hole bag of tricks," instructed Mr. Vandeford. "Got any men out

bonair, very handsome, and sle

hundred a week?" asked Mr. Vandeford, with not an instant's

estioned Mr. Kent, with an assur

u there," was the answer h

ed with

cost

on

ver ten-dollar advanc

giving

wh

éb

that you'd get half of what h

ht. Good

on Monday

rig

Kent rapidly

worth twice Bébé in a grouch. You see what the whole blamed thing is like an

.

Vandeford

.

id you

.

usy at

.

Clari

.

ht a

.

r heard from hi

.

t ove

.

. Dennis Farraday imagine that Violet Hawtry had come into sultry New York seeking

here are plenty more to cast in and her out. By!" And before Mr. Farraday could protest he was left alone in the inquisition-room. And as Mr. Godfrey Vandeford went down in an elevator on his way to the Claridge to deliver th

iled to thrill Mr. Adolph Meyers in the least, a fact for which he could never afterward acco

f unusual quality, which suggested that in her production a Romney woman might have loved a Greek dancer w

nd with the happy, considerate manner of his that he had always used to all women, he offere

they both waited while regarding each other seriously. Finally the tension re

y business. I'm just sitting in wit

rl, with a laugh that so

e out and left me to

n

," and again th

the laugh. "I am Mildred Lindsey, and Mr. Chambers

arraday managed to ask by fishing into

he spring. Dead broke, hungry, and about ready to make good for some manager." As the answer was fired point-blank at him, Mr

e out by Mr. Adolph Meyers for the benefit of Mr. Vandeford and found "woman

ight now if you like," he said in an easy, nonchalant manner as much like that of Mr. Vandeford as he could

ttle about the part? I might not be able to play it."

en alone the matter of salary to be settled and not one of them had inquired whether they were being engaged to play a Billy Sunday or an Ethiopian slave. But in

raday, and forthwith he launched out on an eager, enthusiastic resumé of the plot and atmosphere, even quoting lines of

nquet-while she waits. It's great!" Her enthusiasm expressed in her wonderful voice ur

y the plot. It is on her that Rosalind leans,

moved as he shook his head in puzzled doubt. He had intended to intrude to the rescue of his co-employer's inexperience, but h

himself at his machine, not knowing that in a very few minutes the second li

and bubbled in the office beyond the crack of the door he had left open t

entered so quietly that she stood beside Mr

e looked every inch of it! Miss Elvira, the genius guided by "The Feminist Review," h

atricia Adair," she announced in a ri

ng to his feet with th

n the crack of the door through which the boom of Mr. Dennis Farraday's voice mingled with the excited chime of Miss Lindsey's la

most the first panic in which he had ever indulged Mr. Adolph Meyers showed the proud young author into the sanctum sanctorum

eak with you," he announced across the long room, bowed in a way h

behind the giggler when Mr. Godfrey Vandeford, with all his experience with authors, was seated on the throne ins

wtry in the part of Harriet." And bonnie Dennis, the angel, beamed with pure joy at the good time he was having as a producer. At the very sight and sound of him poor Patricia, who for half an hour h

we in her eyes and in her cheeks a flush of color that came and went as she spoke, in a way that at first puzzled Miss Lindsey as to its brand and then in turn awed her as she decided it was the real thing. The blue-silk trium

d-and cut-ups are about done for," said Miss Lindsey. She gave a quick glance at

etic smile at her allusion, which passed over

is Farraday and Miss Mildred Lindsey were impressed with the fact that the author of "The Renunciation of Rosalind" had learned her busi

r broke t

," she said, with exactly the same tone of confidence she had used in ask

th me," exclaimed Mr. Dennis Farraday, as he j

Miss Lindsey was faltering with the embarrassment of those wh

by here and see Dolph.-Dolph, make out a check for Miss Lindsey's advance. Shall we say one or two hundre

led with amusement at the surprise that manifested itself for an instant on the round face of Mr. Meyers that an actress shou

a way that showed Dennis Farraday, accustomed to the women of her world, that vague proprieties

shall think you are not all for the play," Mr. Farraday

to the coolness of the Claridge, also into the heart of a situation that had b

a play at the eleventh and three-quarters hour!"

feeling sure that she was jockeying

my comedy scenes. Could you for once be playing square with me and really looking fo

e insult, as he looked across the empty white tables that stretched away f

-up,' for

oss. You had your way in every particular. Mi

now how little brains you have," was the polite broadside deli

poke in a good-natured tone of voice. "Now, what did

Highcliff like a

h gave you when he went up t

you consider Highcliff t

heap a

ous tone of voice that made Mr. Vandeford glance around with ap

nd it would be like taking candy from a child. Maybe you can-can influence him to let go-if I give you the chance." There was someth

yet, just to spite you. I'll go in and

ay." Dennis Farraday's big voice boomed right at the

glance into slate-gray eyes behind long black lashes-eyes filled with awed, worshipfu

ur play," good Dennis flourished. "And Miss Vi

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