The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-17

Inc otncr SnOOk ms neao, uttIe con- vinced.
 When the rehearsal was over, Bern ardiu returned to his house. He no lon- ger wandered to Pere Virgils's, as he had formerly done; he no longer recom- menced that horrible routine. Now, after dinner he went to little cafe in the Rue de Bac, where he was not known, and there spent the evening like peace able citizen of small means. His charact ter became more and more gentle. He was polite and amiable to all.
 One afternoon Marie Desch amps said to him:
 a Be more gentle with DAibe1t. Yol frighten the poor boy"
 Bernardin was greatly astonished, and showed from that time particular amia- bility towards Dalbert. He spoke to him affectionately, and invited him two or three times to dinner. In time the young actor became treasured, and finally had no fear at all.
 At last the day arrived. The piece had been admirably advertised. In the streets, in the theatres, in the papers, in all the literary salons, The Rueil Crime was the topic of the hour. The debut of Bernardin Morel particularly raised curiosity to the hig est pitch. They discussed it everywhere. Some found this exhibition scandalous; others called it most original idea. By the in- disc ;etions of the green room they knew that Bsrnardin would be marvellous. As to the piece, the artists agreed in pro- nouncing it an enormous hit" Curios- fly increased ia Paris, whose attention can be fixed only by great advertising. It increased so greatly that Chesnel al lowed no one at the last rehearsal; no one, not even the great critics, who would render their great accounts on the morrow.
 It is on a clear October morning that the passers read from the enormous post CTS distributed throughout all Paris the announcement of the first performance. During the day great crowds gathered round tue bills, speculating on the suc cess of the new play. At six in the eve ming orchestra chairs sell for twenty-five louls; at eight o'clock the price mounts to fifty. At quarter past eight every one arrives. And what house! All the lllustrious Parisians are here. For the first time, they flock to " first night" at the Fantasies PArisiennes with the en- thusiasm of first night" at the Fran cais. All the people accustomed to meet one another on such occasions look around as if to say," It seems that this will be astonishing"
 In the first scene everything passed smoothly. Bernardin Morel had been precise, as was his custom. He never excited much remark, and no more on this occasion than on any other. At seven o'clock he entered his dressing room, turned up the gas and seated him. self before the dressing, case, on which were rouge, powder, hare's-foot-every- thing necessary tor his makeup"
 "Can help you, my little Morel ?" asked Marie Deschamps, as she passed his door.
 [" thank you, mademoiselle, said he, never having wished to abuse the famil- farity of his comrades.
 "You do not know anything about making 'up'," replied the little blonde. And she dipped the hare's-foot in the rouge and powder. and passed it gently over the face Of Bernardin, who smilingly surrendered. Never had they seen him in better humor. A frank gayety shone in his eyes. He dressed himself, quite pleased and contented, and the people of the theatre thought that he was a little intoxicated with the idea of his success
 Through the half-open door entered the joyful clamor of the green-room- that animation peculiar to first pight." Every one was going and coming the seamstress and the hairdresser, running hither and thither, were all excitement. Every one seemed to be talking at once One said, Pm sure my second dress is a mile too big for me ;" another, Just look at my wig z! It is five shades too blondel' From time to time the loud and impassive voice of the call-boy cried from the end of the passage, Ladies and gentleman, the play IS about to begin" However, it cannot be forever commenc- ing. The astute Chesnel is pleased to prolong the waiting of the audience. It IS not till a quarter of nine that the prompter solemnly rings up the curtain
 At this moment Dalbert entered Der nardin's room to see if he was ready. He stopped short on the threshold. The &C., complice of Jean and Micheline Morel slept proioundly-half reclining in his chair, his head supported on his hand With d Ol (OutCuttHCut Ou us lipSs Bernardin had flown to the land of dreams. This man, so tortured during so many weeks, seemed in full enjoyment of his mental repose. He slept like happy man, without one care or sorrow.
 Dalbert told this to all the actors. Such thing was unheard of in the the atre. He was not at all excited over his debut. It was necessary to awake him to tell him that the time for his entrance had come.
 It was the end of the first act, in which Bernardin did not appear. But from the commencement of the second act the in terest centered in him. This second act opened with scene between the broth ers-a violent scene, in which Jean re- counts his jealousies, his anger, conceives the crime, and exhorts Bernardin to help him. When the latter appeared a wave of excitement thrilled through the entire house. It passed from the orchestra to the balcony and fom the balcony to the