Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-21
Gales aIto Skettbts.
KgsfRAL: A CisfAwAY.
A REMxIsCENcE OF THE SCHOOL AND
THEATRE OF PARIS.

They were about to put up my fairy
extravaganza OF 1.-The Queen of the Wool
land Glades" at the Levlty Theatre. All
the roles had been distributed, except
that of ..Kestral, Castaway," in the
tableau of Brides Ball. As the kestral
is a small bird of the hawk species, | was
anxious to have it represented by small
woman, with an aquiline profile, piercing
eyes, and slender sinewy lower limbs; in
short, q woman who could realize the
notion of bird of prey.
On the afternoon Of the first rehearsal
the manager took me by the arm and said
as we paced the boards: 81 imagine
have caught your kestral. An unfortunate
little woman came here month ago to
look for an engagement, and sent her
away. as feared she was two skinny
But she has superb peppers, the proper
nose. with desirable hook in it, SYM
pathetic voice and bronze hair; her leg.
it is true, may be too like a reed for my
taste but her foot must he all there. Gal
ibert THAT was our regisseur) took her adj
dress on chance Go and see her after re-
hearsal, and if that's your bird | don't
mind taking her on for twelvemonth,"
sough out Galibert. who gave me not
only the name and address Of the poor
girl, but plenary powers to treat with her.
I might even 90 so far as TO offer her fifty
francs month-that is to say. about ten
shillings English per week.
1t was a nasty day; the snow fell softly
in large flakes, which melted as they
reached the sloppy ashphalte. There was
q moist cold in the air which searched
out the marrow in my bones, so took a
voiture and ordered the coachman to
drive to Rue Monsieur lie Prince.
Mile. Eva lodged in one Of those old
students hotels which are still numerous
IN the Latin Quarter of Paris.
I pushed in breast high door, which
set bell jingling as it opened and at the
end of sOmbre passage | found an
antique staircase. with thick carved Oaken
balusters.
As | was prying about for the porter 8
lodge, a glass easement in the passage
was drawn back, and a coffee-house
waiter, popping out his head. asked whom
wanted.
"Mademoiselle Eva"
..She's at home. Fourth floor. to the
left.
afterward learned that the landlord OF
the hotel kept cafe on the ground floor,
and made one of his walters do extra duty
as concierge.
assembled the badly-lit musty- sme,ling
on card pinned outside it. and gently
tapped twice.
leone i'm was the answer, after a
moments waiting.
The key was in the lock-a massive old
l.. L.. 81 IL ,,1-
capital weapon in case Of need.
walked in. and saw. right in front, the
lilac Towering of a bed curtain. and, be-
tween the pillow and the white coverlet.
two large eyes. which shone like beads of
black onyx-the very pupils had dream
ed of for my kestrel.
Mile. Eva, curled up under the quilt,
Enthusiastically. INDEPENDENTLY asked
me who was and what was my business.
answered that was the author of an ex-
travaganZa in rehearsal. and that had
come to offer her an engagement.
At the word engagement" she gave a
bound as if stirred by an electric shock.
She raised herself on her elbows on the
pillow. and pointed. with a tiny white
meagre hand. to an armchair in the cor
ner Of the chimney place. graciously pray
ing me to be seated. As the armchair was
occupied by robe of black silk. velvet
jacket. hat, a bodice. two petticoats. and
dainty pair of bottines, she asked me to
throw them on the bed. sat down at a
respectful distance.
Excuse me. sir" she said. in shame
faced way, .'if | am obliged TO receive
you thus came home very late, and as
feel rather III this morning. had not
the courage to get up. The waiter was
here while ago to light my fire, and
am sorry ! did not let him. 1t must be
very cold for you. only took this wretch
ed room for month but | mean to re-
move to the apartment of a lady friend Of
mine in the Chaussee d'Antin shortly. So
you have come to offer me an engage
ment?"
Whilst she was speaking scrutinized
her attentively.
Those superb eyes, of which they had
spoken to me at the theatre. were of thai
orange-tinted brown Titan loved to paint
under the lashes of his Venetian beauties
She seemed to have the singular power
OF following laterally the object fixed with
n mobile and searching gaze. which gave
them weird almost supernatural expires
sion. Her nose. long and centrally raised,
as IN the Jewish race. was of an IRE
proachable purity of design; her small
mouth. heart-shaped like her oval face,
smiled when her lips parted to speak
Her hair, luxuriant dusky blonde.
tumbled in flossy masses over her should
ers, and wound round her throat. Her
skin. delicate and transparent. was of 4
clear dead-brown tone.
As looked at her forgetting to frame
an answer. she questioned me anew as to
the engagement which had brought her
in my quality of plenipotentiary.
Iexplained briefly how embarrassed
had been to discover anybody fit for the
role of kestrel, and after having described
all the fine points in the character. | dilat
on the advantages she might derive fol
her future on the stage from this engage
ment of 200 crowns year.
did not dare tn say so francs month
and if she had asked me kindly to inform
her how much per diem 200 crowns q
year meant. really believe should have
run away like detected thief.
But she was disinterested creature
who loved art for its own sake. and moi
for the money it brought.
With 3 brusque turn of her head she
tossed back to her shoulders the waywarc
tresses concealing her forhead and encom
kc~ ard al nt>oI hor ha nd.