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

sake, Jenny, let us hear your project. ;
"Frank," she says, gravely, "Miss
Rawlings illness shall not interfere with
your prospects. Go to Mr.. Chumleigh
and tell him that will play the part
myself"
| start up aghast For one terrible
moment it seems to me that Jenny's SEN
ses must have deserted her. She has
never spoken line on the stage in her
life, and there are very few, even among
experienced actresses, who will under
take blank-verse part Of any import
aice (have I mentioned that the new
piece is partly poetical p at twenty-four
hours notice, Her calm, determined
expression, however, reassures me, and
make my head.
"Impossible r. l answer. mournfully.
"My poor child, you don't know what
you are talking about; you cannot know
the difficulty Of"
| II do know that we are wasting the
precious moments now," she interrupts,
impatiently. "Frank, | have anticipated
all your objections. You think 1 could
not be perfect. But remember I have
accompanied you to almost all the re-
hearsals, and know thoroughly the busi-
ness and many of the words of the part ;
l must be blind and deaf if / did not.
Oh, Frank-you know am not stupid
and think, if | should succeed in get
ting through respectfully, your future,
dear, may be perhaps assured Frank,
do let me try !''-all this with a rapid
and excited utterance, and eager, plead
ing tone.
l look at my wife's sweet face and
feel myself yielding. At least her beau
ty will excite the public sympathy, 1
think, and she may have talent that it
has never hitherto occurred to me to
speculate upon. Then the advantages
to us both, should she not be an utter
failure, are to be considered. Finally.
! give a reluctant consent to her at least
making the effort.
That's my own dear Frank !'' she
exclaims. delightedly. "Now go at once
to Mr.. Chumleigh and get the part
No, stay. l will 60 with you; he can
not refuse me-"
And, looking at her fair young beau
ty, think the man would be hard
hearted indeed who could.
In few seconds Jenny is equipped
for the expedition. and almost before |
know what am about we have reached
old Chumleigh's house and are ushered
into the managerial sanctum.
"What is it, Ellersly 2" he asks, look
ing up YEARLY, as we enter, from for
midable pile of suspicious-looking pa
pers. "Ah. good afternoon, my dear l''
-perceiving Jenny. Il hope you are
not come about the arrears of your sala-
ry. 1 have so many bills to make up,
my boy, that / am afraid 1 must ask
you to wait"
Poor ChumleighI Monetary consid-
erations are always uppermost in his
mind.
ait is not that" l answer. "We-
that is, my wife is here to make pro,
pOsal. She wishes to play Miss Raw.
lings' part tomorrow night.
Nonsense !" Chumleigh cries, start
ing up eagerly. "Mrs. Ellersly, yor
don't really mean that %
"Mr. Chumleigh, was never more
serious in my life" Jenny answers, will
calm self-possession.
The managers face, which has light
ed up with a momentary hope that tell
how much the production of the piec'
must mean to him, as suddenly fall
again, and he sinks back into his seat.
"You could never study it in tn,
time" he objects. "Mrs. Ellersly, an
very much obliged to you, but / dar
not trust you. You see, failure woulc
be ruinous. Besides you have no expe
rience-you are not even an actress"
Jenny advances, cool and digni6ed
with quiet grace that is all her own.
"No, Mr.. Chumleigh." she answers
. gravely, 81 am not an actress, but / an
woman and / love my husband. hav
: conviction that his success in life de
9 pends more or less upon tomorrow night
I and for his sake I feel that the ordeal
i am anxious to encounter would not b
beyond my strength.
: Her voice is clear and ringing, he
: attitude is full of grace and expression
i and her beautiful face is flushed and ca
ger.
y Chumleigh looks at her in silent &C
miration.
u by Jove, Mrs. Ellersly," he exclaim'
i at length, ''if you look like that on th
stage, you'll make your own fortune an
d mine, too At ali events, you sha
> have the chance. Here is the part 20
: ask for. Remember, it is very long, an
e will take you all your time to mastt
even if you have the genius of Sit
(, dons. Ellersly. my boy, call at til
of printers and the bill posters on yor