: Peggy Goes Straw Hat by Hughes Virginia Leone Sergio Illustrator Illustrator - Actresses United States Juvenile fiction; Lane Peggy (Fictitious character) Juvenile fiction; Women dramatists Juvenile fiction; Women in the theater United States Juvenile fict

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PEGGY GOES STRAW HAT

I The Arrival

Eight hours after leaving New York City, the rickety old Pathways Bus lurched to a bouncing halt in a small Adirondack mountain town. Peggy Lane rose from her seat and somewhat shakily managed to collect her handbag, a small suitcase, a hatbox, two coats, and her precious tin make-up kit.

"I wonder if I really look like an actress or more like a walking luggage rack?" she thought excitedly as she stepped down from the bus. The scene that greeted her was breath-taking; Peggy gasped aloud with delight. Before her, Lake Kenabeek lay gleaming like a jewel in the afternoon sun. Pine trees rose everywhere and although it was summer there was a delicious nip and tang in the air. Peggy's heart raced with eagerness and the familiar nervous anticipation she always felt when approaching something new. She had been hired as resident ing?nue for eight wonderful weeks with her first summer stock company. Each week she would be playing a different part, gaining invaluable experience, and learning new phases of life backstage.

"And I got the job all on my own!" Peggy thought exultantly. "Just by reading for the producers! That must mean something--at least, it means that I'm really a professional actress now and don't have to depend on friends and 'contacts' for my work!" She smiled happily, taking a deep breath of the fragrant, pine-scented air.

"Miss Lane?" A voice interrupted Peggy's thoughts. She turned and saw a spectacled, studious-looking boy about seventeen who was wearing dungarees and a paint-smeared shirt. Offering her a slightly stained hand, he grinned shyly. "Scene paint," he explained, "but it's clean."

Peggy could hardly shake his hand, laden down as she was, and the boy stammered with embarrassment. "Oh, I'm so sorry--I was so busy looking at you, I didn't notice." He relieved her of some of her bags, giving her a frankly admiring stare. "You sure look like a good ing?nue!"

"I do?" Peggy beamed.

"Just what I had in mind." He smiled, taking in Peggy's trim little figure, dark chestnut hair and fresh, mobile face. "I'm Michael Miller, and I have the jeep waiting to take you to your hotel."

The jeep had been painted bright blue with an eye-catching sign on the hood. Kenabeek Summer Theater, it proclaimed in large white letters.

"Good advertising," Michael confided as they deposited Peggy's bags in the rear. "But then, you're not bad advertising either!" He nodded in the direction of a few bystanders who were casting curious glances at Peggy. Peggy smiled back at the townspeople, and as she climbed into the front seat, her nervousness unexpectedly dropped away. She was really here at last, she realized, an actress with a season's contract--and suddenly she felt very professional.

As they drove carefully up the winding mountain road, Peggy discovered that Michael was one of three local boys who were to work as apprentices--helping the scene designer, doing odd chores, and playing small parts when needed. Michael's father was Howard Miller, a retired theater man, who was to do all the older character parts during the season.

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