Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-03-23
BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

"Will you please have this part dead.
perfect at rehearsal tomorrow, miss ~
The speaker was the call-boy Of the
only th, atre in a Western town.
The girl to whom be handed the par,
was tall and slight of physique. Her
features were pale as marble, but tran.
scendently lovely-one might almos,
risk the expression, ''iovely as an an.
gels"
The deep-telling eyes scanned the
Ms. of the part, and look Of dismay
lit their depths.
Mercy! she murmured; it is i'm.
possible. Rehearsal is called at ten,
sharp. Mother lies in raging fever,
which threatens her brain, and here are
twenty lengths at least. It is a hard
life !! and weary sigh followed, as the
yonug girl took up her small satchel
and drew her threadbare shawl around
her fragile figure. Good night, Den
NY she said, in return to the saluta-
tion of the old door keeper, as she quit.
ted the theatre.
BE careful, dear he replied; 'he's
there again.. and he jerked his thumb
over bis shoulder with warning ges-
ture.
A shade crossed her features and her
mouth worked determinedly as her eyes
flashed, and slight flush tinged her
white cheeks. The warming evidently
disturbed her. Young as she was, hers
had been the fate of many on the stage!
She. had admirers whom she scorned;
but. having no brother, she was unpro-
tected save by that mother who now
lay at the point of death.
The night was cold, ard Bessie Oar
ling Cher stage name, the real one be-
ing withheld,) was scantily clad. AS
she reached the street, she looked up
at the stars, which glittered in the sky,
like polished steel. She shivered and
hastened on. The slight snow upon
the pavement creaked crisply beneath
her tread. At the corner a young man
interrupted her. and raised his hat.
Good evening" he said, removing
his cigar; may not have the pleasure
of seeing YOU home 2
She made no reply but strove to pass
him.
Don't lie foolish he said, offering
his arm; you know would not harm
you
Your aid is not needed she replied
and your company is unpleasant Let
me pass. My mother is very i'll. per.
haps dying at this very moment
All the more reason why you should
have help lie returned. Allow me ia
offer any service in nv power He drew
a roll of greenbacks from his pocket and
held them toward her.
i do not require your money.
would not accept it to save nv moth.
er's life, much as love her. Let me
pass or shall call for aid
He sneered.
1t is late, he said; 'the streets are
deserted; you are alone, and none will
hear your appeal
-. yes they willT 1t was the call
boy of the theatre who spoke.
The young man turned to the new
conner. He was singular rersonage-
dwarfed in stature, with head much
too large for the diminutive body.
Whom have the honor to address?'
Inquired the young blood, scornfullv.
That is neither here nor there was
the reply. But IL Miss Darling will al
low me, will see that she is no longer
detained BY an UNPLEASANT meddler.'
.Ho! ho! laughed the other; a
Quasimodo TO protect his Esmerralda.
The dwarf bit his lips, and turned
pale as death.
Look out that YOU do not meet the
fate of the recreant priest
We are not IN Paris,' retorted the
blood, and there are no towers Of Notre
Dame at hand
Will Miss Darling accept my escort
homeg ! will protect her from this
sneaking bully
The young man. pallid with rage, re-
turned:
TN thrash you within an inch of vour
life for this insolence, you crooked back
cur! Take thatr
He launched heavy blow at the
n'anikin's head, but the little fellow
darted nimbly aside.
Il am no match for you at tisticuffs, >
he hissed, but l have not played the
Sprite for nothing.
The next instant he started forward
and planting his head full in the stoun.
aeh Of his antagonist, hurled him owe,
the embankment where they stood
The blood was unable to save himself
Down, down he fell, aud striking head
foremost on the bauk Of the river, lay
insensible.