The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1873-05-17
Written for the Huntington Argus.
FLORINE GREY.

Florine placed the strawberries very care.
fully in the shallow saucers, so luscious
they were, aud dewy, that they seemed
70 her fit for n princely least, in all their
brightness and beauty, and then the little
sugar sitter went over each saucer very
carefully, for she must economic closely,
the purse was slender and hal ever so
many things yet TO buy-tea, loaf for
toast, crackers, a wee bit of dried beef, aud
a knot OF scented violeis for each plate.
The cautious Ut lie housekeeper, gave two
or three very audible signs, as she stood
before the tiny mirror and smoothed the
tangled curls. The signs said very plain
ly, "why did | dare ask her to tea with
me, she, who can give such wondrous
feasts, and am sure she will smile at my
poor attempts at hospitality. She says we
are OF both Bohemia. but the resemblance
between us is like that of King Cophetna
and the beggar maid. Oh, is il so late?
then there is btretime for me II give grand
mamma her tea aud haste away to the the
oleit aHu e"eie VIII ot iHile t'ihe before
go on the stage with the peasant girls in
the dance on the green"
Miss Maude Harrington, the great star
actress, was playing Fanchon at one thou
sand dollars IA night, and she it was, who
Florine Grey had invited to supper in
her rooms Florine was only "a chorus
singer, ballet girl, or anything in small
parts, hardly earning seven dollars week
and on this snail pittage herself and Tee
Die grandmother we're Obliged to exc out
livelihood.
Very soon after the arrival OF the "star."
her tender heart was touched by the siaht
Of the SHY young figure, and graceful droop
ing head, crowned by the wealth OF sunny
hair, and had spok ~ kindly to her between
the acts, and touched the gentle brow with
her snowy hand, and thus won the loving
heart OF the timid child
A close intimacy had been established be
tween them, and Miss harrington had
smiled very sweetly when asked to come
around to the lodgings after the play, to
take tea with Florine, aud had broken a
prior engagement, to be able to give the
coveted hour to the faltering child
Florine had found another admirer IN
the perron OF Frank Armilage, student
from Yale, who was at home Tor the oil
days, and constant attendant at the
Little Adelphi during the season, and who
had very strong notion OF entering the
profession of dramatic artists, Lut bis
bsughtJ relations had rowned it down. and
sneerel, that he OF the blne blood should
wish 10 tarnish the name o. the ancient
line 10y plebian vocation. lie had met Flo
rIne one evening as he loungei ia the green
room, a. she hurried toy, il her clouds Vi
heecy tuie and myriad spangles w hen
suspicious times presented themselves, lac
went on the stage rs "a soldier or peasant,
for It whilcd his leisure hours aud gave
linn glimp-es Of the strange pic,urcsquc HE
behind the curtain, aud Miss Harrington
liked the creamy roses he carried her, aud
the dancing girls liked his pleas ,ut words.
aud they generally looked uutier alter
bis journey among them, with his crook
adjusting the pretty caps, aud be liked to
lie on the robes OF crimson anil gold, aud
hear the chauenng of the motley crowds
before the bell wac ruog, AID was always
ready With some kni approving words
when the little role vas done.
On this particular evening, tie begnn-
ing Of bis acquaintance with FlOrine, a.
he came OH the stage caroIhng merry
barcarOle. Ire somehow missed bic WAY,
aud WAS thankful the next moment that
We had doue 20. for he b earl faint ,ound
o. c'-'re--, and found Fiorihc Weeping
."a' s"e bad lost her slipper between the
boards
Indeed au 70 sorry, 10 my time ha.
come 'o' We second ballet and she Man
sser VIII he 'ry angry with mc. ,h.
''sh'e"e' o''i 'as saving to herself,
when he came 1pon L,r ,.n.I ,.. ,y..
slipper, sud settled it on ,h.0,,le loot
Poor C'"darei,, he .a,ii,l,. .o,,h,,,
gentle way, behold r,pre.,,, ,,. p,,,rs
that found the u"y slipper. aud ,i,..o,.
the prettest ir all the land
Il Wa nothing for hi. To s,y t.,., g..
rne flushed like n Juue f,ss. and -, p.