“Oh, she’s too modest and shy, don’t you understand! But just wait a week, girls—then you may have to look to your laurels. Can’t make me believe that the little ‘greeny’ isn’t all right! She’s fresh from the country, and ought to be as plump as a partridge.” “You are the only girl in the chorus that ain’t jealous, Jennie,” called a coarse masculine voice, as Jack Green, the “property man,” came by at that minute. Jennie was just stepping into her slippers when she caught sight of Jack. In an instant one of them went spinning in his direction. Jack caught it deftly and held it in his hand. “Out on first,” he said, with a grin. “Now, when you want it back you’ll have to kiss me.” “Oh, I don’t mind doing that a little bit,” cried the girl, unhesitatingly, and in a second she had both arms over the property man’s shoulders. “You’re a daisy, Jack, and I’m awfully mashed on you,” she said, candidly; “but you haven’t got enough wealth, so, you see, I must stick to the Johnnies.” “Oh, I don’t want you,” was the fellow’s equally honest answer. “I’m stuck on the new beauty, the charming Ila. I wonder if she would give me a kiss if I asked her.” Marion was standing right in front of him as he made the remark, and in an instant all of the chorus girls came out to see how she took it. “No use to play the prude,” thought Marion, with a shudder. “These people see no harm in kissing, so I must try and get out of it nicely.” “No, Mr. Green,” she said, with a half smile, “I would not dream of kissing you before all these young ladies! Why, they would scratch my eyes out, and I am sure I would deserve it.” “That’s not so bad for a ‘greeny,’” said Jennie. She had got her slipper back now, and was adjusting it carefully. “Make less noise up there, girls!” called out the stage manager from the stairs. The girls scampered back into their dressing-room, leaving Marion and the property man together. “Won’t you kiss me, sweetie?” said Jack Green, in an undertone, as he came closer to her. “I wasn’t joking a little bit, Ila. I’m just dying to kiss you.” Marion looked up at the burly fellow and tried to read his face. She had disliked him from the first, but had always tried not to show it. “I don’t think you mean to insult me, Mr. Green,” she said, after a second. “You professionals do not look upon kisses as a very serious matter, but, you see, I am a country girl, and I have been taught differently. I am saving my lips for the man whom I shall marry.” Jack Green gave a whistle of genuine surprise, for he saw by the girl’s face that she was sincere and honest. “Well, you are a novelty,” he said, after a minute. “Been on the stage nearly a week and don’t believe in kissing.” “That is one reason why I shall never be an actress,” said Marion, sadly. “It does seem awful to me to be kissing and hugging so indiscriminately.”