Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-12-17

good acting. l think l should nave
made an actor myself If had ever had
a chance to train properly"
"And in the meantime," said the
Major, with great gravity, 1--WE will
visit the studio of pretty artist friend
of mine, who is winning herself great
name in the world"
.'I'm little rusty about art" said
Mr.. Desmond, "but know good pict-
ure when see it."
1t vas a large octagonal room, lighted
by dome of ground glass from above,
and hung with folds of claret-colored
cloth--a room filled with glowing land
scapes, fair, serious heads, and studies
of the antique. Visitors moved quietly
about, speaking in whispers and glanc-
ing now and again at tall, slight girl
in brown holland dress belted at the
waist, who was working at an easel at
the end of the room.
''Let me introduce you to my friend
the artist" said Major Clippett. Mr.
Desmond bowed low.
~ reverence art in all its shapes"
said he. ''And il 1 had been fortu-
nate to have a SON."
"Papar cried the girl, passionately,
f,inging aside her palette, don't you
know me?"
"Essie!" he cried. "No--it is not pos
sibler
'But 1T is, papa" cried she, "your
little Essie!"
His eyes filed with tears, and for
the first time in her life Esther Desmond
saw shining in them the light OF true
affection.
my GIRL" said he, huskily, 81 am
proud of you. honor you for making
career for yourself. And Ella?"
oh" said Essie, busy with her colors,
you shall see her by and by"
''She Is not at home, them"
'She IN not here, papa"
Mr.. Desmond accompanied his wife
and daughter and Major Clippett to the
theater that night 1t was crowded
from pit to dome, for the ''Ophelia" OF
the season had been brilliant success;
and when she glided on the stage in her
pure white dress and girdle of dead
gold the house rang with applause.
Her face and figure were exquisite; her
acting such as Shakespeare himself
might have dreamed of; and when at
last the curtain fell, and ''Ophelia" was
called out again and again to receive
the enthusiastic laudations Of the crowd,
the tears were raining down Mr..
Desmond's face.
II call that acting" said he. "Clip-
petit, did you say you knew that grip"
Certainly, l know her." said Major
Clippett, with difficulty keeping the
corners Of his mouth in order. "She
Is coming to my house tonight to sup
per. Shall introduce you?"
II shall esteem it an honor to know
woman Of such genius!" said Mr..
Desmond.
''oh, Georger' cried his wife, didn't
you recognize her? Our Ella!"
mot Ellaw cried Mr.. Desmond, start
ing up. my daughter Ella?"
"And no other" said the Major
well, don't wonder that you didn't
know her She has changed wonder
fully. She's a genius, you know, is
Ellar'
And when the beautiful young 0phe-
liza was folded in her fathers arms that
night his heart throbbed high with
and Major Clippett took infinite credit
to himself for all that had TRANSFERRED.
"rhey 1.-Two here with me and my sis
ter" said he. They are my adopted
daughters. But we wanted to surprise
you, so they are staying temporarily
with friend. They are both artists,
Desmond; they have conquered their
own destiny, God bless them, and
achieved success"
"our girls!" said Mrs. Desmond,
softly--and the familiar words which he
had so often spoken, in sort of con-
temptuous liberation, grated harshly on
her husbands ear.
"Our girls!" he repeated. sour treas
ures, wife! | have been signing all my
| life for son, but shall never sigh any
more My girls are all sufficient to me
nowr'
And of all the triumphs which Ella
| and Essie Desmond have won this hour
was the sweetest to misunderstanding
| McMulien, in N. Y. Ledger.