The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-01-12

would be glad that she had neglected to consult
them, but had committed herself to the guidance OF
her own genius
1t was easy enough TO get consent to go 10
1oungton. Bessie frequently visited aunt who
lived there and, il happened, an invitation had
just 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 a drama Of a class that
young girls should neither see nor read but the
infatuated girl lost sight of its vulgarities and
impurities in the dazzling spendor OF the stage
| settings, in the beautiful costumes of the hand
some actress, and in the thrilling situations in
which the heroine was left at the end of each act.
The rounds of applause had a great charm for
the excited girl, and she tried to imagine how she
should feel If they were for her. Her heart sweled
and her cheeks flushed with pride at the
thought.
Without telling any one of the object of her
errand, Bessie went down town the next morning.
Ii was little before noon when she entered the
hotel at which she knew Madam B was stay
ing. Her little card was sent up to Madam BIS
room, and Bessie waited in the hotel parlor her
heart futtering, 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 to her room
Madam B was lying on a lounge, and
Bessie's timidity gave way to amazement she
looked at the woman before her.
The Madam B she had seen the night before
was young and beautiful woman with long,
golden curls sparkling eyes and a happy, joyous
manner. She had worn such beautiful Jewels and
such lovely dresses
The woman Bessie saw the lounge was not
young nor beautiful nor golden haired. She had
a weary, careworn look; her thin, dark hair,
streaked with gray, was combed back plainly and
she wore plain dark wrapper and not a singe
jewel. The roses were gone from her cheeks and
the smile from her face rs she put her elbow on a
rfad har hau1 har
asked: did you wish to see 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
"l-I-wanted to see Madam b" replied
Bessie and her voice altered in spite of her efforts
to appear calm.
81 am Madam B" replied the woman, look
ing curiOusly at Bessie. al suppose" she added,
THAT you have seen me only on the stage and that
you hardly recognize me off of it. There is a
difference"
The last words were spoken sadly, and her
manner was not unkind. She sat up on the SOFA
drew shawl around her shoulders, and asked,
with smile: "Can do anything for your
A maid had brought chair for Bessie. She sat
down and said: 81 called to see you about-about
myself My friends tell me that I-I-have"-sh
paused with blush on her cheeks and Madam
B finished the sentence for her.
THAT you have dramatic ability, is that it?"
"YeS," replied Bessie.
al guessed it," replied Madam b. "And
you want to go upon the stage?"
"Oh, ever much !" cried Bessie treasured by
Madam BIS kindly manner.
al thought that, too, when you came in" said
Madam B, little more seriously. "Well,
how can be of service TO your"
al thought" said Bessie, "that if you would be
| kind enough to hear me recite a few pieces, or
something from plays l have seen, you could
judge of my ability and would be willing to tell
me just what you think"
She had rehearsed this little speech again and
again in her room, which was probably the reason
she spoke it now in such an unnatural way
81 am quite willing to hear you recite anything
you wish" said Madam B. "Of course YOU
want me to be frank with you and tell you just
what Think"
"Oh certainly" replied Bessie, quite confident
that she would surprise Madam B.