The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-10-07
ESTELLES SACRIFICE.

Her name was Estelle, and she was
an actress of very minor parts. Adolphe
was far above her in their profession.
well paid, well thought OF, and very
handsome.
Adolphe brought her flowers and
walked with her to rehearsal and offer
ed her lce-cream. and she only desired
such happiness to =, perpetual and
never-ending.
Estelle lived alone in little room
under the caves of a little frame house.
She took her meals with dragon OF an
old woman who owned the place and
charged less than one would where
boarders Jared better.
So the winter passed and the spring
came. and then the hot days of sum-
mer. The theatre was to be closed for
repairs and improvements and the COM
pany was to be disbanded; only twelve
nights more of the Golden Goose"
and then those who could or would
might rest for awhile. The leading
lady, who was to be the queen Of all
the fairies in the next piece. had given
the small fry a glimpse Of her street attire
at rehearsals, and had cOndescended to
say that she would '.givc hundreds Of
dollars for that little creatures hair"
Hers was the same color. but whose
chignon she sportcd no one knew.
One night Adolphe had escorted Es-
telle home from the theatcr, and they
parted at the door-if | said he did No,
kiss her should tell story-and an
hour afterward some one was heard
groaning near the house. EsteHe knew
who it waA by instinct, and the land
lady's half-grown sons went out with
her and lifted the PROSTATE form from
the pavement, the landlady protesting
oil the while.
ut is friend of mine." cried Estelle;
ga gentleman from the theater. He is
not poor; he will pay you well. DO
take him in!' So the woman yielded,
and a doctor was sent for. and the poor.
bleeding. senseless soul cared for as
well as might be.
Robbers had set upon him and taken
from him a large sum OF money. his
watch, and ring. and AL else valuable
that he had about him. They had
broken his leg and cut his head open
in the scuffle besides, and it was 4 long
while before he could tell much about
1t. Then he confided to Estclle this fact:
lie had not been remarkably prudent or
remarkably economical His funds for
summer expenditure were in the pnr-
Joined pocket-book. He had just $50
in the world.
Poor Estelle had $40. and just then
the theater closed. The manager fit
ted to some seaside resting-placc. There
was no one to call upon. nothing to do
but wait and hope Instead of passing
pleasant month in the country she
helped to nurse Adolphe, who was in
terrible danger, and as hopeless rs =
helpless man always is. The $50 went.
Estelle's $40 followed it. She had paid
her own board in advance. Now both
their pockets were empty. She had said
nothing OF her own money to Adolphe.
and the landladv never asked whence
It came. But the day arrived when the
woman stood with her arms akimbo be-
lore the anxious girl and asked her how
she dared assure her that her bill was
safe.
..Hc hasn't pennyv' she shriekcd;
mot a penny! The thieves took all he
had. besides what has been spent. So
he tells me. And to the hospital he shall
60 tomorrow. I've told the doctor
that"
Estelle went up to her own room and
knelt down by her bed and wept.
''rll do it," she said-'.pll do it.
Anything sooner than that he shouts
suffer So"
And twisting the hair in great coil.
she put on her hat and cloak and hur-
ried out into the street and straight tC
the St, - hotel. where she knew the
leading lady of the coming season had
her headquarters.
MADAME" she said, lyon have often
said to me that you wished you had my
hair. You may have it if you will. i
you give me $50 will crop it close t
my head"
"Have you gone crazy?" asked mad
anne.
NO." said Estelle. II want money
aud | will sell my hair"
''It's . horrible temptation" sale
madame. FIFTY! Why. IN give 20.