The Washington critic., 1886-05-12
TRIUM PIED.

uuu Ill lllV COURSE Oh llInc IL HluBHlhCu
to the report that the engagement
would be broken. All were in despair
they looked at one another In silence
and beheld with fear and trembling the
manager walking about in an ecstasy
of rage and modification. The rumor
reached the ears of the pretty Tessa.
She approached him and beckoned
him aside.
"Will you give me Boatrice's part"
asked she with fluttering heart.
He gazed at her in astonishment.
you cannot sing, you cannot, dance,
you cannot act, you--"
"Ah, but | can sing and dance and
act have not got Beatrice's elegant
figure, but | carry myself well. have
not got her sweet soprano voice, but
mine Is o powerful contralto. As for
acting, know her part, word for word,
and you never saw me act. Come, Du-
mont, give me trial. will outdo her;
you will be lost without me; there are
none others; and Dumont," she added,
lowering her voice, "think of me. /
have my name to make, my fortune
Think of my husband, who fell from
these very flies above us week ago,
and who lies moaning and helpless at
home. Come, Dumont, come. What
| Do you still doubt me? Then hear me
sing"
She began, in a subdued voice, Beat
rice's most powerful song--one which
was loved above all others by the peo-
| Pile. Its name was "The Sparrows."
As she proceeded her voice rose
higher and penetrated the farthest
depths of the stage. 1t was touch
ing, soft, beautiful They gathered
about in amazement and listened
breathlessly, while she, entirely
the hand of the manager, whose face
lit up with Joy and surprise. The
strangely and fantastically dressed peo.
pie about huddled closer to her and
hung upon her notes eagerly AS she
concluded, weeping and subdued by
her own song, the name of "Tessa,
Tessa," was heard from every mouth.
The hearted manager turned to
them. "And will you take Tessa until
| Beatrice is well?"
They flew to her and embraced her
| and carried her away. The singular
news flew everywhere. Into the or
chestra, below the stage and above it.
1t crept into the public by way of the
papers, and when all knew that the far
famed and elegant Beatrice was i'll they
also heard of the bravery of little
Tessa, whom all loved for her sweet
face and graceful bearing.
| 1t also crept into the sick chamber
of Beatrice. Despite her weakness she
raised up ON her elbow as she heard of
1t and looked upon the teller of it with
eyes that were far from kind and pleas
ant. An actress ever-ready jealousy
sprang to life within her, and she
straightway began to hate Tessa for
her daring. Neither did this feeling
fade away with the day, but 1t grew
stronger and stronger as the time for
the performance grew nigh, and as she
began to hear the rumble of the car
riages on the pavements, which
brought the assembling crowd, she
dragged herself, flushed and feverish,
from her bed and dressed herself.
Meanwhile Tessa, nervous, tremb-
ling, but full of faith in herself, came
upon the stage and looked through the
curtain and beheld the gathering crowd
with thrill of something like terror.
A chill passed over her as she realized
for the first time what she was about
to do.
The construction of the piece she
was about to play demanded her ap-
pearance at the end Of the first act
Thus she had ample time to collect her
self.
She aroused herself and imagined q
| grand triumph, with flowers and
shouts of praise. She beheld herself
courted and sought by managers and
petted by the public. She turned hei
thoughts homeward to the sick man
and pictured his grateful look at hel
victory. They whispered encourage
ment to her, but the manager looked
anxious.
The play began and went on well
Two scenes passed and all was success
full, and then Tessa began to trembl,
and turn pale again. The house wa
full and eager, and she felt her voice
to be strong. She passed down to TIN
right entrance and paused for her cue
with desperate determination to tigh
J her best. The lines were spoken
} three seconds more would force he
from her grateful shelter. A slight bu
.. firm hand was laid upon her shoulder
and, turning, she beheld the beautiful
Beatrice, with her large, flaming eyes
her fairy-like dress, studded an,
| gemmed. The purple light from abov
! fell upon her and made her look I'm
earthly. Tessa's heart sank.
"Stay here, Tessa," said Beatrice
, II am well enough" and she added
calmly, "many thanks for your kin
intentions"
Like a CLEAN of light she glided past
and was gone beyond all recall. Tessa
8 head swan. She pressed her face i
: her hands and confused sound c
melody burst upon her distracted ear.
, Beatrice was singing after all, an
| her own hopes were dashed fruitless
: the ground. She could not cheer he
: poor husband. She should have II
, praise, no flowers. no kind words an
= kinder glances. She was and could /
: nothing but Tessa, after all. 1t WI
. cruel She sobbed aloud and locke
8 despairingly around, She heard
n faint voice whisper in her ear; "Wh
not follow her, TessaY'
1t threw her into tumult. Sh
glanced at the great audience, til
n brilliant light-she caught the beaut
:, ful perfume from the crowd and hear
l. its madGcning applause for Beatrice
S song. Could not she do as well? Ye
s and better All swan before her
C everything slid into everything else
k all was confused and tumultuous. Su,
d denly glimpse of Beatrice caught h,
n eyes, she was retiring, while muiilt
d thunder rolled in from the auditorium
, She gasped for breath, looked fierce
: about her, and rushed headlong on I'll
IL stage, She saw nothing but the leade
r. who was her firm friend. She viii
pered TO him bare instant and the
stepped back with swelling breast A
| Ill l,n I.N1