The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-29

corner porting over the leaves of hi
yellow book.
Twenty minutes past, and still n,
"Alelnotten
''What the devils to be done D. cried
Beamish, foaniDg in desperation. All
give him ten minutes more and if he
don't come then, shall have to set the
stage for the pantomime Too bad,
too bad"
He drew on pair of white kids, and
went before the curtain to pacify the
people, explaining the cause of the de
lay, and asking their kind coDsidera-
ton for few minutes longer. When
he returned to the green-rooin he found
Marie there. Harcourt had not come
The clown put his yellow book into his
pocket and came forward from the cor
ner.
II will undertake to play "'Claud,''
he said, quickly, ''since Harcourt is
delinquent"
"Yon!" exclaimed the manager, in
astpnishment. "Why-why-bless my
soul I"
"Marie must not fall" said Steele.
''For her sake, / will do the best can.
There are but two acts. think can
command my voice for an hour at least,
if you are disposed to take the risk
"But you-you aren't up in it, are
you 2"
III played the part once or twice
some years ago." replied the clown.
"If I'm well followed, l think l can do
it."
"God bless you, my dear fellow ~
cried Beamish, taking his hand impal-
sively. "If sou succeed, viii be your
debtor for life. Go on, and try.''
During the few moments occupied
by Steele in dressing the part, Beamish
again went before the curtain, partly
to occupy the attention of the people,
partly to request their indulgence for
the performer, who had undertaken the
role OIL so short notice. Then the stage
was cleared, the bell rupg, and to the
satisfaction of every body, the play
commenced.
1t will be hardly necessary to recite
the details of that wonderful perform
ance. Every body said that such rcr.
dition of the parts of "Claude" auf
"Panline" had not been given upon
those boards for mat,.--------=--' -
es4o..1,, ,-.,;,,:,g cnnEdfnce4 Sc hn Farm.
ed the work before him, threw into tn,
character all the earnestness and fervo
of which he was capable. His love fol
pauline was not the love of "Aiel.
Note; it was the love of Edward Steelt
for Marie Frondat. His very soul
seemed to look ont from his eyes as he
repeated the tender, wellworn passa-
ges, and gave q new meaning to theil
hackneyed iDtoDations. His lost voice
returned to him, and rang out clear
and sonorous, or anon fell into sweet
cadences of exquisite tenderness. Ma.
RE, stimulated, encouraged, sustained
by his example, more than fulfilled the
expectations of her friends. The whole
house rang with plaudits.
Beamish, standing anxiously in tht
wings; was beside himself with delight
Three times was The fair debutdutc call
ed before the curtain, each time to bt
pelted with boquets, which more than
filed the arms of the happy "Claude,
who came forward with her to receive
his share of the general appreciation.
The sustained excitement was toe
much for Marie. When all WAS done
she tainted away in tire arms of the
faithful Steele, on her way to her dress
ing room. 1t was, perhaps well fol
him that she shonld be taken home il
her carriage as soon as she recovered
her seuses. He could hardly have
done justice to his nonsense in tn,
pantoiaime, had she remained in th'
theater that night. Ninette in be
wildering demi-costume of gauze an,
spansles, made her appearance 500,
after Marie had gone home.
| "Fll be even with you for this!" she
Kissed in Edwards ear. "You ha,
better finish your job now by gettin;
Harcourt sober again. He's at II,
house, drunk as a fiddler.p
She turned away, and was lost in tn
harlequin crowd upon the stage;
fairy queen, which all the ancestral ma
lignancy of her sisterhood in her blu
veins.
ACT III.
The next morning Edward Gale
!! upon Marie. He found her at her lodg
. iuuc n pOorly f,Yruicha1 n no Vt n,apt n