Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-02-10

n-~O
knew not herself But it was there
burning within her very soul, quench-
less flame.
GOOD Lord! haint yer never comm
with that milk?" screamed Susan
Grim from the cabin door. The girl
gave start. Her dreams were broken.
| She hastened to the house, the bill
pressed in the belt OF her dress.
"Now hustle yourself au' strain that
sir milk in jirv. Then eat yer sup
per an git to bed airly, case want yer
ter tote bucket O aigs ter town airly in
ther mornin' fur rue. I'm goin' ter see
eli 1 KANT nuke yer arm yer salt any
how" scolded the harsh voice of Susan
Grim.
Bright and early in the morning,
Zepha started to town with her bucket
of eggs. As she walked along, she
every now and then scanned the theat-
rical bill she still preserved. off only
could" she breathed hard. "Then [
should no longer be tainted by Mrs.
Grim for my dependence upon them. "
As she was waiting in the grocery to
be served, she heard them discussing
an accident that had occurred in town
that morning One of the ladies OF the
theatrical company, while out riding
had been thrown from her horse and so
badly injured as to unfit her for taking
her part in the drama to be rendered
that night.
Zepha stole out of the store.
edo you know where the Aimard
Troupe is stopping?" she asked man
on the sidewalk.
"At the Western House" the man
replied, and she passed on.
"Will you please tell the manager of
of the Aimard Troupe that lady
wishes to see him on business for few
minutes?" she said to the clerk of the
Western House.
"Certainly," he replied, leading the
way to the parlor, whore she was told
to wait.
In another minute Claude Aimard,
the handsome, gentlemanly young man
ager of the theatrical company, stood
before her.
His fierce blue eyes took in the grace
full figure OF the girl, and he quickly
noted the beauty of face, hair, and
eyes, so out of keeping with the
countrifed dress of dark calico and the
plain straw hat she WORE
He requested her to be seated, but
she declined.
"In what way can I serve you this
morning?" he asked, pleasantly, noting
her evident embarrassment. His tone
was so gentlemanly Zepha soon felt at
ease, and she said
"One of the ladies in your company
was unfortunate this morning in getting
thrown from her horse?"
eyes; Miss Linton was severely,
though not seriously, injured, I hope.
replied Mr.. Aimard.
"Will she be able to act her part to.
night?"
Unfortunately, no."
Il have come to apply for the part.
[ heard that you would be unable to
play tonight without you secured a
substitute. Am right?"
eyes; it is true we cannot proceed
without substitute" he answered,
eying zepha closely. "But to be
frank, young lady, I fear your mex
perience is all against you. Why do
you apply for position on the stage?"
Zepha met his steady gaze unHinch-
jnglv, and although her face crimsoned
wildly, she answered him:
because, unaccountable as it is to
me, 1 have always loved the stage, and
because-" and her voice faltered a
little, II am so tired of eating the bread
Of dependence"
"What advantages have you had ed
ucationally?"
Only education has not been neg
lected, thanks to kind old benefac-
tor, !" replied Zepha. Shakespeare has
long been a favorite study with me. +"
Mr.. Aimard looked surprised, which,
observing, Zepha quickly said: "If
you doubt it, sir, shall be impelled to
render selection from that author on
the spot" Mr.. Aimard smiled, but
said:
Il shall not doubt your word, young
lady, although 1 will confess ] was
somewhat surprised to find so young a
girl as yourself a student of that great
dramatist. 1t is not common, you must
know. Have you ever appeared be-
fore an audience?"
"Only with my schoolmates, in
dramas suitable to school exhibitions, u
said Zepha.
"Here is a copy of the play we have
advertised to render at this place to-
night Please read aloud few para
graphs of the part marked Lottie,
said Mr.. Aimard, handing her the book.
| Zepha took it from his hand, glanced
| L II r II