The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-11-17

lighted graves of Spain. And Cssy-
Mile. Celine'' they called her in the let
ter, but her real name was Cecilia Stubs
began instantly to dance.
Wild, graceful, following the time of the
violin as reed sways TO the autumn wind,
she floated to and fro in the room. MIR.
Pinkard watched her with sparkling eyes.
you'll do, Celine," said he. ''Yes, l
think you'll dol"
But the other members of the COMPANY
did not receive Mile. Celine with raptur-
GUS delight.
"The little dark thing" said Liss Aivar-
ez. who did the first lady,"
With no more complexion than chest
mutt! said Mrs. Terliui, who came on in
the late walking pats, where there was a
good deal of att.tudizing and very lite to
say;
Its an insult to the trocpe said Mr.
Montague, who had beel partial to the Re-
sta Posita.
For Cissy, anxious though she was to
please, did not harmonic with the others.
She did not know how to firt, and was
manifestly Mortified when Miss Susanette
Sedley told the manager that the reason she
wasn't in time on Thursdays rehearsal was
because her mother was very sick.
But you know Miss Sedley, that isn't
Signor Chiardi'
"WllI you mind your own business, little
Miss Meddle?' Indignantly demanded the
fair Susanette.
so by degrees Cissv fell into disgrace
She danced as exqnisitely as ever. Nobody
could deny that she was beautiful dancer.
but OF the stage she was ignored in differ
ent stages of rudeness by every one, and
by degrees she fell into a sullen sort of
moodiness and went about speaking to no
ore, with her head dropping like broken
Hover. Mrs. Pinkard, the manager moth
er, saw that she was decently lodged and
ca:ed for every place through which they
passed, but even Mrs. Pinkard, good soul
thongh she was, did not take kindly to the
dark-browed silent girl.
Il like people with something to say for
themselves" said Mrs. Pinkard Made
moiselle Celine is very odd. She looks at
you with big eyes like startled rabbit, and
when. spoke to her about her dress-it
really Is something outl,ndishly shabby
she began to cry, and said she was saving
up all her salary to pay some debts that her
father owed when he died! Really she calls
herself IL, but should say that she was at
least 1000 years old. I do like young peo-
pie to he young people!" said Mrs. Pink
ard, with energy.
But. all the same, Celines dancing was
Immensely liked by the public. She was
encored every evening-she had flowers
thrown to her, which she picked up, saving
to herself, 90, how pretty they are. and
how expensive they must have been! I
would SO much rather have had the money:
and, IN fine, the public seemed to be
well suited with Mile. Celine, and her
wild, poetic pas seuls. And the more popu-
lar she became with the audiences. the
more the other members of the company
held aloof from her!
One evening Celine was dancing in
new part: Mrs. Pinkard herself had helped
to dress her. The manager was away bar
gaming for limited series of representa-
mons IN neighboring city, so the old lady
biity.
"Celine is a born artist, " said Mrs. Pink
ard but she don't always make the use of
her luxuriant hair and the rich complexion
she has!"
MRS. flnkard was sitting half asleep in
me little dressing room, waiting for Celine
o come off," Celine herself had lust
hoated from the stage in a cloud Of star
sprinkled white tulle, with q tinv silver
wand held high above hel head, when there
was binding flash of brilliance across the
stage which did not come from the foot
nghts-a cry from the AUDIENCES sitting
cloud of rolling smoke.
One OF the scene shifters had carelesslv
rolted ny too near the gas-light which
able material had blazed up like 40 mnch
finder, and the whole building was in
blaze before the audience were we'll clear
OF It,. The terrified actors rushed out into
the bitter starlight of the frozen winter
night IN their velvet and tinsel lust as thew
were-the dancers. finging their cloaks
over tulle and stage jewels, fed in wild
a1risht-and not until they were all out
IN the street did any one notice that Mrs,
Plnkard was not among the number.
ohe must have fallen asleep in the
green room. away back of the scenes!"
crled Mile. Celine, with cry which SEEM
cd to rend the vault of heaven itself. "Oh,
uoo' nave mercy upon US, she will be
burned to death!'
Pc pie looked with white. appalled, faces
at each other. In this out. f-ths way.
torpid little country town there was no
paid ire department" no gallant heroes to
lusn 10 the rescue. Miss Alvarez caught
ClSsy oy the arm as she was making rush
toward the lurld building, whose frame
door and window castings stood out black
against the glazing background of fire.
.. Are you mad, g;rl?" she cried horsely.
The woman is past all rescue now-you
WILL only imperill your life!"
But Cissy snatched her arm away.
She was good to mel" she cried. She
loved her! She shall not perish in the
han it can help it,"
COL" muttered the other, as Cissy dis
ared. seeming almost to rush into the
gaping jaws of the flames.
We are sorry for NOR Mru D;~hs
SAID Montague, who in his red velvet
&c doublet and white silk tights, stood
snlverlng in the old blanket which did dstv
1or an overcoat, but it don't follow that
We. are to risk our lives!"
Waen 1t can do no good" hysterically
sobbed Mrs. Terrini. "Oh, dear. oh dear
90 you suppose death by fire is very pain
full, MIR. Montague?"
AZ mat very moment, however, Cissy
rushed out, her flowing black hair ali
slneea away, her dress blackened and
limp and helpless form Of Door old NJ o
Plnkard, who, Supplied by the smoke. had
herself lost all power of volition. And. al
most simultaneously, the manager himself
VINO had arrived by late train, hurried nm.
on the scene. '" "'"
MY mother!" be shrieied. Mr. moth
CT! They tell me she is inside the BLAZING
DEATH" 'A0" "
she is here" cried Montague. Dead
VI o awe; that dancing girl has brought he
OUT OF the very furnace of flames."
Iney took them both in an ambulance to
tne notel-,poor Mrs. Pinkard, all scared
ana sensetess, Cissy pale and silent.
aont Know how l did it," said she; I
leave her to perish." ~
S5hrs. flnkard revived, but she never
was quite strong again. But when abe be-
gan to slt up little she called her son to
Markham" said she, you must do
something for Cissy Stubs. She has
saved my life at the peril Of her own"
Inc manager looked up with smile.
Dear old mammie, said he, II have done