Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-04-19
ELFIE.
BY J. S l..

He had a loved wife who worshipped
him, and coy home, and had health
and strength.
What more could he need?
Why, Il continuance of it; and that he
could not command.
Paul had acted a very trying part too
long, and Il had tJld upon the state of
his nerves.
He became very i'll, and the doctor
pronounced 1t nervous prostration,
and ordered for him perfect rest; and
Ellie was plainly told that many a
month would pass before her husband
must undertake another engagement
but that this fact must come to him,
little by little.
The young wife sat still after the
medical man had gone, with her hands
lying listlessly in her lap and far off
look in her dark eyes.
After time she heaved a deep sigh,
and tears arose. but she wOult not
shed them. She glanced around the
room make pretty by taste, not wealth.
chow shall | keep our home to
gether?' she murmured. "How are
we to live until taul can work againp
Dear, dear Paul, it would break his
heart to have to leave it! 1t is not
much after fathers beautiful house
but he loves 1t And he must not be
worried. How am to keep care from
himP" she mOaned. and wrung her
hands with a pltiful gesture
And Paul was lying upstairs in
darkened room. with ice upon his head
and his eyes wandering painfully, and
the doctor coming many times a day to
see him.
III aul lived, how was the wolf to
be kept from the door?
If aul lived!
What agony there was to her in the
dread uncertainty of his life; and if that
were spared, the sad uncertainty of his
long, long illness.
And there was not a ten-pound note
in the house.
Her fathers advice now came to her.
Still she uld not regret marrying the
man she loved.
How was she to earn money to pay
the landlord, and the doctor, and pro
vide her dear one with proper nOurish-
ment? for of one thing she was
determined - he should want for moth
ing; and she resolved to get work Of
some sort to do.
1t NAV be wondered that Mrs. LES
TRANCE did not apply to her father for
help.
He had made condition of his con-
sent that Paul should maintain her,
and she felt that nothing should induce
her to ask for aid Moreover, both her
parents were abroad.
At this juncture of her painful
thoughts visitor was announced.
Mr.. Rainsford had come to enquire
for his brother actor.
He was, as Paul had said general
admirer, but he was kind hearted
man as well, and beauty in distress
always called forth his deepest SYM
patty. The tears in Fife eyes made
him very tender with her, and in a
short space of time the girl had con-
tided all her troubles to his keeping,
and was asking his advice how to OBJ
tain work.
Mrs. l. Estrange,' he said brightly,
Join US, aud you will be a start
but Paul says could not act" she
replied with a cretsfaIlen air.
Nonsense! you know a prophet is
not honored in his own country. Men
never do think their wives and sisters
can do anything; but know better. |
have watched you feel every word of
pathetic part; | have seen your eyes
kindle and give out living sparks.
tell you, you will with Your talents and
beauty, be great success if you will
only make the attempt
''Do you really - really think SOP"
she asked earnestly.
IL do indeed
'And could | earn money enough to
keep our home together?" she queried
after pause.
''Quite, should say; but you would
have TO 10 certain amount of learn
ing, of co rSe.
Il could not pay for tuition" she
returned FRANKLY.
II will instruct you with pleasure in
my leisure-hourS. he sad kindly, land
| have no doubt could get you some
thing to do at once, OF course you
could not begin ON the London stage
now, but have friend who is gettiL o
up some sem amateur theatrl-
Gals at kensington, and 1 could
ensure you two months en-
ployment there, and being so near,
it would take you away from LES
strange but little"
"With whom could leave h m when
l am out:' she sad with a puzzled
look. "He must not be neglected. d"
-. think can help you there Also
he answered readily. ~" have a dear
little sister, who has very serious views
of fe, and has become lady nurse,
and she is the most helpful little
woman alive Suppose you try herP'
"Oh, but could not make it worth
her while to give up other engage
ments' replied Ellie
MARY would do ANYTHING to please
me- he said. "lf | ask her to heir
you. she will willingly do so for no pay
al an. l. Estrange is fir end of mine,
and 1t w II be more than a pleasure to
me to he'll his wife in her difficulties >
How good you are,' she returned
looking at him with her speaking eyes
81 can never be grateful enough for
your kindness
# kindness it be, it will bring its
own reward, he answered with a
smile, 'for | shall have the satisfaction
OF knowing that but for me the world
would probably have ne er seen my
Proiege, nor the stage one of its bright
est ornaments
81 hope your prophecy will prove a
true one, she answered ith animati n.
"And now Will you cons der me rude
1t tell you think ought to 60 back
to PAUL.
+" indeed, no. L'Estrange is fortunate
in having so loving a wife. If more
girls we're like you, men would not
hesitate to marry. will see my friend
about YOU he added, rising, land
sha ] run in about five every day and
give you few hints as to the manage.
ment OF your vo ce, etc? Elocutlon is
great matter in an actor or actress,
ami when your part is cast, will with
pleasure assist you in rendering il
naturally