HALF A COAT

A COMPLETE NOVELETTE

By Emily H. Calloway

To tx Kin with. It wma raining. Of me to look particularly drossy to see

Kcbertxon. He didn't know I rad on

course, it doea hare to tain, there's no denying that. And there really |. nothing so very unique about the iH'riortnance. Besides It is necessary lor com and grain and all sorts of uninteresting things. r - r um when you have only one pa:r of shiny shoes, when you've been glint without lunches for days in order- to Vu> a certain fluffy hat, and tten. alter months of waiting, you are to <'on the fluffy hat to see the bigg *t cli.atrical manager in New Toll, when all this happens and it rains you'll admit it'a ra'her serious. A taxi was as far from Bbine hbUMOfs thoughts as. a trip to Europe would have been. So it was with , .1 serious look In her big, brown -yes !*!.it she watched the downpour. "Oh. HI manage somehow, I t uppose" she said, and turned to the con-t-mpinilon of the small room the .•d ared with Betty Buddeli. “If, mly ^ie maline on that bat hat do' rn't Pflump before I get to the theatre.' “It's the limit, that's what .it it today of all days when it means eo much." and the amnli rooinnuUe scowled anxiously. Klaine threw herself on the tumble-, Jt-d. She was a lovely picture, lovely with youth, and grace and red-gold hair, but the look la her greet blown eyes was so troubled. I or life to her did not meant teas »r.d adoration ard petting and all that ought to go with youth and redgold hair. It meant privation ard <iUappolniinents and a struggle to exist. For she was a little, unknown .-■.dress from the West. And today was to be her day of days.. She waa io see the .great Robertson, himseit. ;he greatest manager in the country"Well, rain won't hurt the coat, rnyway,” went on Betty. "And it i r-kes you look like a million dollars. Will you surely be back with it by four?" she added. "I hate to bother you" dearie, but I've got to have it by then. My dancing appointment is for four, and If I'm late—good night!” "OI>. I’ll knov the worst long before that I’m to see Mr. Robertson at two, ycu know." Klalne got up and began brushing n fui coat, carefully bung from the gasjet "Do you suppose well ever own two fur coats !•-tween us and be able to go cut at the same time?" she

cubed.

•'Never, old dear." promptly answered the small roommate, proceeding Vi darn an exceedingly thin silk stocking. “Be thankful to have half a

coot.”

“Yes, we were wise to invest in this when we bud the money," Elaine wr.r loosening the thick waves of her l.air until it fitted demurely under the new hat. "1 can't even buy a pair of rubbers new." she added. Then she threw hack her head and laughed—a won dertfel, tinkly. silvery laugh, with a hint of tears not very far away. "Is It as bad as that?" Betty naked anxiously. “As bad ns that," answered piaine Then she walked quickly to the window and gased out ai tho ortvlns ruin. Down in the afreet below, a 1‘mouslne was gliding quietly along. . Elaine wondered vaguely it it neld a rirl wJUr red-gold hair, a girl who didn't have to worry or pinch or work, a girt who had a father and a brother i^-cdor<> her, a girl who could be Just n^-glrL Elaine turned ber back to the rain and the limousine. "Oh, I hope f haven't boon a fool,' sh ^ourst out, trying to get in 1 Neu York production. Do you know what It's cost me? Ffnir long months of horrible, nerve-racjdng walling—and all my savings from three long years at stock. And all I've got to show for it is this one chance today to see Rnbertson." Betty put a wain, arm around thi quivering girl. Well did she understand. with the deep understanding that comes from knowledge. Lake all jl e generous children of the stage was quick to share either tears or laughter. “If any one deserves same lpck,~ whe whlsp. red, “it's you. after the way you've supported your mothe.wnu sliv.-d In stock all these years . nd you're such a wonder! Why. Elaine. >ou can act a.'! ar und som<of the. e Broadway actresses. If you’d only get one chance to act before Robertson." "Yeii. just one chance!" Elaine's voice was tense. "Now, don't get aC worked up." was Betty's practical ndvice. "Here, powder your nose, while I bold the family coat*’ “Do 1 reailr loo. all right?" asked Elaine fearfully “You know the part Is a rich society gill. It's the third pari in the play, and the director told

my very best things then.” “You look sdorshle only be sure to keep the coat buttoned np. Of course the dress is pretty sad. so thank a hind Providence that it's a long cov. and not throe-quarter length," and Betty buttoned tdnjast button for her. I "Do you think that patch on my shoe shows?" asked Elaine, anxiously examining the shiny shoes. “Not a bit," but Betty was putting some powder on the offending patch. "I'll have my dancing dress all on so you won't have to get here till Just before four. I can dash up to the ball in five minutes. But don’t be any lei per or I'll lose my Job." “Don’t worry. I'll be here, and if I haven't landed—well, I'm down to my last three dollarr." Tien Elaine, her eyes b-fght with liope, her lips uniting bravely, started out on her Great Adventur* Lncklly the Robertson toeatre was only a few blocks away, for the rain was still coming down in torrents. Elaine clutched her umbrella and holding the precious coat tightly around her, proceeded to run. No need to pinch her cheeks today to get the co*'w Into them . Her head felt a Uttle dixxy for her lunch had been painfully light, but she aeon forgot it in the excitement of trying to dodge the downpour. The wet soon soaked through the thin soles of her shiny shoes, but the tope still looked ali i l*iit, and the precious hat remained Etiffly erect. She silently thanked Heaven that ner hair curled in the rain, so she didn’t have that to think

about.

The great manager’s offices were up rbove the theatre, four flights above to be e.aet. Elaine stopped in the brivacy of her first flight to adjnet her hat and put on the carefully cleaned white gloves. Then, assumir.r an air of great prosperity and ntu. indifference, she proceeded to climb the remaining three flights. It was Just 10 minutes to two. At the head of the stairs was a snail waiting room, most efficiently euarded by a small but mighty office boy. As Elaine entered the room she paused .breathless. Her indifferent menner vanished. The room was crowder with girls, packed with girls — beautiful, radiant girls, stunning glr!#—all the prettiest ingenues In New York seemed to be collected In tha: one small room, tnd Elaine had thought she was the ’only one." For a moment she was dazed. Then a great weariness came over her. Vi hat was the use? What chance bed she. with her 12JS hat, among all these dreams? Even the fur coat looked shabby. And the assistant manager had told ner to look her best. All the chairs were occupied, more than half the gins were standing. Elaine found a foot or wall to lean against and waited. There wasn t anything else to do. She recognised several of the girls—well known actresses—waiting patiently to be admitted to the great presence, and Eieine had thought she bad a chance. They had told her to come to let b 'r, down easy. They were always at kind as buslr.'ss would permit. At that moment a tall girl entered the room. To be more exact, she mede an entrance, pausing Just long enough to register td the waiting ttomful the red gold of ber hair against the costly white farriress of ber costume. It was Constance Raymend, a well-known leading woman. "Come right in. Miss Raymond," shouted the office boy as be hastened to open the Inner door tor her. "Mr. Robertson's expecting you." And Miss Raymond sailed in. Gloom descended on the packou room. It meant a wall, u long and lejptby wait. Elaine thought of her breathless race to the theatre, from Wing lest she be a moment late. "f beer Constance Raymond's golnv tx play the lead." remarked a dark haired girt to the friend with her.' “A wrnderful part, they say—one of these poor, forlorn parts that walks away with the play. They sent tor me for the society girl, because I'm such a good contrast to Constance She'll make it het if they try to pu’ uiiy light-haired girls in.” Elaine's heart dropped. Uncoi sciously she raised her hand to her own hair—even more red ond moncold than Constance Raymond's own What chance bad she—what chance' Then she remembered that the day she bad seen the directoi she'd won. a tam-o-sbanter, and hardly any o' tin. golden, .11 s-s had shoan. Well, i she was going to wait. Besides, what < ise was there to do? “You know I ijlayt-d wiih Constance before, when '.he v**s wi''i Bill Grayson." the hr mot to was confiding to her friend "If she gets '.his pari.

Ill bet Robertson won't put up wlm nny of her airs.” "Oh. heavens,’’ murmured a wellknown ingenue, "here's where us •poor working girls' wait one gooi hour." “This is the life," came from another corner. Then silence descended on the waitlngroom. At 2.45 the assistant manager opened the door. Every one turned expectantly. “Sorry to keep you waiting, girls." he said cheerfully. "When Mr. Robertson does get to seeing you it won't take long " Then he went back and rhut the door. The tall brunette seemed to feel ■fast she had been personally slighted. She walked over to the office boy. "If you'll take my card In be won't keep me waiting, I know ihat," ahe r.nnounced. But the office boy merely looked bored . "Can't do it." be yawned. "Have ter wait till he's ready ter eee the bunch." And the brunette waited. At quarter past three Mias Raymond came out Her cheeks were very bright and she brushed through the crowd unseeing. The brunette, who had played with her. did not venture to speak. At half past three the door opened again. Again the room turned expectantly. "Miss Vinton,” called the ofltce boy. A dark haired beauty in a Paris i own went in and the door shut. Elaine, crowded against the wall, saw her go in—and she saw the Paris rown. Then she saw the hem of her old blue serge under the protecting coat Oh. it wasn't fair. It wasn't Just. Juat because a girl had clothes didn’t mean she could act. Bitterly she thought of the three long years of stock. What did it matter that she coulu act? This wasn't a content in acting; it was i contest in clothes. "Quart«■;- of four," groaned pomehody. "And it will be six before we ret out of here." "Quarter of tour?" Elaine gasped. The coat—the family coat—that Betty must have at four. Wha* most she do? 'What could she do? Four was the very latest, Betty had aaid, and she luust have It; she couldn't possibly go out without It in her short dancing dress. It meant ber "Job"

too.

What she would look like, minus the precious coat. Elaine didn't stop to think. She mustn't think. There was no question, ther -ist be no, question. She bad proL..sed to get the coat back In time. Rhr stepped quickly over to the office boy. "I’m Miss Hollister." she explained, "ill be back in ton minutes, in case they want me. Then she fled down the stairs. Suppose they should call her in this particular teu minutes and she should not be there. She would never be able to explain, ahe probably would never get a chance to explain. Of coarse. It wp* an awfully slim chance al best, ahr leaUzed that. And minus the coat, 1’ was hardly worth while going back for. Yet wild horses couldn't bav: kept her away. She reached the llttfe room at last. There sat Betty, waiting patlemly. Elaine dashed In. struggling ont of the coat as she ran. Before Bet'y realised she was there she had Ror > again. No time now for explanation* or argument. Out into the rain again went Elaine, and needless to say she ran ni.mt of the way back. For one thing, if was wanuer. The shabby blue dress wso passible ss a street coMume; a trifle chilly, .o be sure, but at let at no one stopped and looked at her. Think 1. uvon. she still bad her hat. I'p the four flights she raced. Then, a* unobtrusively as possible, she dipped into the room. She prayed that no one would rec ' mlie her. If no one observed th - hat. she thought ahe might easily pate as another girl. Happily «11 the atti ntion waa focused on Mist Yintr who was Just coming out. After that the director began calllnr names with great rapidity. Some of ibe girls would be sent back afti-: only five minutes in the sacred Inner office. Quietly they would come out aud go down stairs. Apparently the gloat manager made up bis mind very quickly. "Many are called bul dam few are chosen." munnered a girl In the oorTher a girl would Le called, who uculd not come out Io' 20 mlnute-i and despair would descend on tiic “She's got the part," some one would groan. “May us well toddle along home."

Gradually the room began to thin, tie shoes. It seuned to be rising off » great part—dress and all" Al half past five there were only the leather. She wondered vaguely Slowly Elaine's brain cleared. Shf four girls left. Eaire sitting in the i if there would be a bole in the stock- was to do that entrance over agali-. derkest corner, waa trying to hide her | Ing when the patch came off. (She was to act for the great Robert dress. She had Just discovered tha:, Afar off she saw a white-haired son. She had gotten her chance, one elbow had given way. haired gentleman looking at her; saw | For a moment she stood perfectly Long ago the color had faded from three other men looking at her; she Mill, trying to grasp It. So they hal her cheeks. She found herself pinch-.saw a sterogtapher taking notes, th-uight that was good acting? That teg them, mechanically. The long [ Si ill ahe didn't move. Jus* leane-1 ( blind .unknowing hysteria! All right.

wait, together with her light lunch, I against the door. Vaguely she regrelwere beginning to tel! on her. She tod all the lunchedhs she bad gone

foil faint. Then ahe saw tJ

ipen. The assistant manager was locking around the room. Elaine could hardly believe her eyes when

she. saw him beckon to her.

Elair.e rose. The room seemed to be swimming around, but somehovr

sbe got across and followed

Heed Inside. Her great moment bad -

arrived.

“Let me see. the name is?" the asristant manager asked. "Hollis* er." said Elaine fainuy. “Oh. yes," said Mr. Reer pleasantly ‘Wei!. I am sorry to have kept you whiting so long, bul there really rothing for yon. You see, Mr. Robrtson has just about made up his mind about this third ^srt. It is practically settled." And the assist mt manager smiled benignly. Then suddenly everything went Hack. Desperately Elaine pulled herself together. It was her last

chance.

'But you promised me—I've been Whiting hours. At least let me sec Hm—fast one minute.” The tears were very close to her big brown

res.

The ass is tan* manager hesitated. “Well. !t won't do a bit of good, you know—just take up tbe governor's t But as long as ydu've waited so long, you can see him a minute. Take off your hat and leave it” out here.” “Take off my hat?” gasped Elaine “Yes, the governor likes to see people as they really are. Be quick as you can. please.” Off came tbe hat, her last glory, and Elaine found herself following the reluctant manager down the hall. Then a door was thrown open and Elaine was inside. Suddenly she remembered her hair. She had dresael It very loosely that morning to fit under theprecious hat. and the ib< rain and the long waiting had loosened It still more. But the asslslam manager did not wait. He opened door, and as E’alne stepped acres 8 the threshold the last hairpin came out. and h»r hair fell about her shoulders. a great, glittering gold, red mass. Again the room went black. Noth :nK more in the world could posilhlv happen io her. Then she sawshoes—rather she saw th-» patch

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Ithout-to buy tbe bat, the scorned, discarded hat. And then she began to laugh. She steadied herself py the doorknoo and laughed; tbe tinkly, silvery laugh that somehow she

couldn't stop.

She knew the men were staring at her, were looking apprehens.. ely at each other. She saw Mr. Reed try to xplain something to the white-haired man, but be pushed him aside impatiently. The white-haired man was

aring at her.

SU11 she laughed. Then the tears r.mehow got in between the laughs, and she couldn't stop them either. Afar off she heard the white-haired man speaking. She thought she must Le going crazy. The great man was

speaking.

"It's great, groat! Even the dresi i perfect, patch and all. tho ahabbl•ess, everything. And the hair, the wonderful red-gold hair. Reed, you have given me the surprise ol my life. So this was what you bad up yout

rteeve.”

Elaine's tears stopped. She leaned <akly against the door. She sow hebertson patting his bewildered assistant on tbe bacIC Then he spoke

tr her.

"Give me that entrance right over arain. and let me set if you can do

as well the second time.’’

MechanicaPy Elaine obeyed the voice. She opened the doer and went almost blindly. The assistan:

manager rushed after het.

"Do you understand?” he gasped. I'ou’re to do it over again. Go in and laugh and cry Just as yon did

before. You've stumbled into

she would show them what she reaily

ccald do!

The girl who entered the room this time was an artist in full possession of her faculties. Just ar forlorn. Just as appealing as before, she was, ye: with ber sixth sense of the actor at work; the subtle something that bolds audience spell-bound . B'.nd. unseeing, she leaned against the door. Then came the laughter, tinkly, silvery. with the hysteria slowly creeping in, and then the tears, the rackinga, sobbing tears, until the UtU* audience was breathless. It was the great Robertson himself who broke the spell. “You're a clever little girl, a very clever Rule girl." he said. "Now, tome over here and puli yourself to-

gether.”

The master had spoken. He had pronounced her good. It waa enough. The secretary sprang to get her a chair, the stenographer brought her a glass of water, w-hlle Fie playwright (Continued on page ”i

V Need Thix Household Net

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