St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-02-23
had committed herself to the guidance

had committed herself to the guidance
OF her own genius.
Ii was easy enough to get consent TO
60 to Youngton. Bessie frequently Wis
tied an aunt who lived there, and. rs it
happened, an invitation had come TO
her. asking her to spend several days
with this aunt. On the first night Of her
visit. Bessie saw Madam B play the
heroine in . drama of class that
young girls should neither see nor
read; but the infatuated girl lost sight
of its vulgarities and impurities in the
dazzling splendor Of the stage settings.
in the beautiful costumes of the hand
some actress, and in the thrilling situa-
tions in which the heroine was left ut
the end of each act. The rounds OF ap-
planse had great charm for the ex-
cited girl. and she tried to imagine how
she should feel if they were for her.
Her heart swellcd and her cheeks
flushed with pride ut the thought.
Without telling any one Of tho OBJ
jcct OF her errand. Bessie went down
town the next morning. 1t was a littlc
before noon when she entered the hotel
al which she knew Madam B was
staying. Her little card was sent up to
Madam BIS room, and Bessie waited
in the hotel parlOr, her heart fluttering
in spite of her efforts to appear self
possessed. Madam B returned word
that she would see the lady. and Bessie
followed the porter of the hotel t. her
room. Madam b was lying on q
lounge, and Bessie's timidity gave way
to amaZcment as she looked at the wO-
man before her. The Madam B she
had seen the night before was a young
and beautiful woman with long, golden
curls. sparkling eyes and a happy, joy
Gus manner. She had worn such beau
tiful jewels and such lovely dresses.
The woman Bessie saw on the lounge
was not young nor beautiful nor gold
en-haired. She had weary, care
worn look; her thin, dark hair, streak
ed with gray. was combcd back plainly
and she wore plain. dark wrapper and
not single jewel. The roses were
gone from her cheeks and the smile
from her face rs she put her elbow on
a pillow. supported her head on her
hand and asked: Ibid you wish to sec
me?"
That did not seem to Bessie to be
the voice she had heard the night before.
and this surely was not the same
woman.
"I-I-wan:ed to SEQ Madam B."
replied Bessie, and her voice faltered
in spite of her efforts to appear calm.
Il am Madam B." replied the
woman, looking curiously at Bessie. Il
suppose" she added, ''that you have
seen me only on the stage and that you
hardly recognize me Off of il. There is
a difference.
The last words were spoken sadly.
and her manner was not unkind. She
sat up on the sofa, drew a shawl around
her shoulders. and asked, with a smile:
Can l do any thing for yOu?"
A maid had brought a chair for Bes-
sic. She sat down and said: Il called
to see you about-about myself My
friends tell that I-I-havc" - she
paused with blush on her checks and
Madam b finished the sentence for
her.
That you have dramatic ability, is
that it?'
"Yes, replied Bessie.
Il guessed it," replied Madam b,
''And you want to go upon the stage?"
"Oh, crer so much!" cried Bessie, re-
assured by Madam BIS kindly man.
ncr.
81 thought that. too. when you came
in" said Madam b. little more
seriously. well, how can l be of
service to you?''
Il thought" said Bessie, ''that If you
would be kind enough to hear me re
cite few pieces, or some thing from
plays have seen. You could judge Of
my ability and would be willing to tell
me just what you think"
She had rchcarscd this little speech
again and again in her room, and that
was probably the reason she spoke it
now in such an unnatural way.
II am quite willing to hear you recite
any thing you wish," said Madam b.
''Of course you want me to be frank and
tell you just what think?"
"Oh certainly" replied Bcssie. quite
confident that she would surprise
Na1ap, Il
She recited the most exciting parts OF
1.-The Polish Boy" and a part of the
balcony scene from Romeo and
Juliet" and sat down. flushed with her
efforts, intending to rest a moment be-
fore beginning the slecp-walking scene
from Macbeth"
A half-suppressed giggle behind her
caused her to turn around, and she saw
madam's maid evidently trying hard not
to laugh. She knew that she was the
object of the girls merrlment and her
cheeks flushed with indignation and
mortified pride.
Madam b turned to her maid and
sternly sent her from the room. Then
she said, quietly and kindly. to Bessie:
You need not recite any more. /
can give you my opinion At once You
are about eighteen years old. arc you
not?"
Il shall be eighteen in May" replied
Bessie. -
DO you live Aeref"
mo; in Efderton. ten miles from
here"
..You have kind parents and pleas