Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-11-12

Mysteries in the arms of Simpkins. the
low comedian Mrs. Harman, the first
old woman, shrieked aloud her disap-
pointment in a quavering treble; john
son, the heavy villain, took the corner
with impressive strides and deep bass
rumblings while poor old Chumleigh
fairly danced hornpipe with despair.
l, Frank Ellersly. the juvenile TRACE
dian, alone was silent, though upon me
the blow had perhaps fallen the heaviest
of all. Ny part was magnificent one,
and for years l had been working hard
in the country, and indulging in the
dream of an eventual success in London.
Now, at the last moment, when the
chance for which l had waited seemed
approaching, to have the cup dashed as
it were from my very lips was almost
more than I could bear. [ was fairly
stunned for the time by the overwhelm-
ing nature of the blow.
1t was after the commotion had SUBJ
sided, and most of the others had taken
their departure, that the conversation l
have before recorded took place with the
manager.
At its termination [ grope YEARLY
down the dark stairs leading to the stage
door, and like a man in a dream walk
moodily home to my lodgings through
the crowded thoroughfares to tell the
news to Jenny.
l have not mentioned that Jenny is
my wife, and one of the sweetest and
handsomest and most lovable wives in
all the world, I don't care what any body
says to the contrary.
Poor girl The present collapse will
be terrible disappointment to her, for
she, too, has been indulging in dreams
of my success in London, and visions of
a brougham to drive in the park, and a
villa at st. Johns Wood, together with
new bonnets and dresses to an unlimited
extent, and many other feminine delights
and ambitions to be speedily gratifed
have been floating through her mind ey-
er since it became known that the Lon :.
don managers were coming down, and
would have the opportunity of witness
ing my extraordinary talent.
Poor Jennyl To her 1 am Kemble
or Kean at the very least and, what
ever the world may eventually decide
concerning my ability, her tender and
unbounded admiration is unspeakably
sweet to me.
She rises as enter our grOund-Hoor
sitting room, with happy flush on her
fair, oval face and glad light shining
in her dark dreamy eyes, but the next
moment my face and her woman's quick
perception show her that there is some
thing wrong.
Frank, why do you look like that /?
What dreadful thing has happened p
she exclaims. finging her arms around
my neck with woman's first impulse
of consolation.
Il am almost afraid to tell you, dear, -
1 answer. "Oh, Jenny, there is an end
to all our hopes and wishes p
"What do you mean, Frank ?" with
little gasp and pitiful glance of ter
ror and amazement. Whatever it is,
let me know the worst"
Jenny" I say, solemnly, "Miss
Rawlings is too ill to play her part, and
the new piece cannot be produced"
My wife does not speak for moment
the news has taken away her breath
Then after slight pause she does moi
burst into tears and repinings as 1 have
expected, but, quietly putting up bott
her hands. draws my face down to hel
and covers it with kisses.
"My poor Frank" she whispers, "my
poor Frank !"
This is more than 1 can bear. / coulc
have endured anything but this proof Of
my darling's unselfsh devotion but un
der this my manhood gives way, anc
with hoarse, dry sob l sink into
chair and bury my face in my hands.
If she had bewailed her own disap
pointment, / could have tired to consol
her, and make the best of matters
she had even burst into tears, l nigh
have kissed them away. But this ute
forgetfulness of self in her deep, absorb
ing tenderness for me, completely over
powers me, and cannot utter anothe
word.
| For space silence reigns between us
and Jenny is the first to break it.
Frank" she says. 81 have though
of something-the piece can be played
after ALL"
I look up in vague bewilderment. an
see that she is standing before me, resc
lutte and straight, with strange. spark
ling eyes, and cheeks aglow with som
sudden inspiration.
"What do you mean, dear ?" I asl
with an almost unconscious revival {
hope. 1 know that Jenny would ne
speak so determinedly without suficier
cause, and wait eagerly to hear hs
solution of the difficulty.
| x.D kIcA .