Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-11-17
TILE ACTORS DAUGHTER.

Z
"CuFso mel Oh, faiherr'
There, there, Marie. do not weep.
OF coune didn't mean that But only
think. For many years | have had n
regular engagement, aud should have
saved money. II you should 60 to the
manager, ~ you propose. and tell him
that we were suffering for food-that
your old father was lying sick In this
miserable attic-he would tell you that
had been improyident- had squau.
dered my money, and that now, IN my
utter hslple.sncss, must suffer the con.
sequences Of my folly
Father, you accuse yourself wrong.
fully. Yuu have reared aud educated a
family OF three, and for many years have
cared tendefly for poor mother. even
through all the varied stages OF con.
sumption"
Tie old nctor's daughter sat silent and
thoughtful for time. Sh, was revolv-
ing in her mind scenes and incidents OF
which her father was entirely ignorant.
Let Us describe them.
II was period thres months previous
10 tho foregoing conversation. The
mother had iust been laid In the cold
grave. and the fathet was, as now, UNI
able 10 leave his room. The wolf was
lowering around their door, and Marie,
timid In action. but brave In heart, had
resolved to assist the parent she loved ~
dearly
II was bitter winters evening whoa
she LEFT her home for the purpose. Tho
sharp blast cut her TO tho very heart, rs
she drew her thin mantle around her.
But she had road In the papers that girls
were wanted for the ballet at one OF the
thratcrs. They were TO apply az the
stage door that morning. but she had
been unable to leave her fathers side at
that time. She feared she would be too
lato; still she could but try.
On reaching tho stage door her heart
almost failed her. but their home again
rose up before hor. aud sho yentured to
accost the doOrkcepar.
Want 10 zee the stage manager, ehY'
Yes, sir, II you please"
"Bettor wait I'LL tomorrow"
~ tried to come today, air, but could
not"
"Indoe1l oh, here he CONES; you eau
apply 10 him now"
That funetionsry happened to be pass.
ing. aHd hearing tho words understood
their import al once. lie turned a
searching look upon the poor girl, and
was about 10 pas on. But he caught
sight oi her face ia the gaalight, and said
"Not bad lookingi II she is In rags. 81
you want ma engagement clif'
Eyes, sir, II you nlease," replied Marie,
ITO play Lady Macbeth. l suppose"
mo. sir, for the ballet
"Ohi Ever been ON the stage bcforcT
"Only Us q child. sir"
"Oh, only as a child! Do you slngi"
Eyes, slr-ycry well.
"Very well. 90 you think. might not
Do you dancer
"Ycs. sir. Father was an actor. and
he says dance very we'll"
"Oh, thon YOU can come tomorrow
and try It.
~ will DO here. sir"
"Dring yOurprops with you"
Poor Marie hositated: and the mana
ger. observing thin, sai1i "Oh. perhaps
you don't know Whist mean by props
Well. they are your feathers. jewels
ribbons. lRces. tights. slippers. gloves
and so on. We only furnish tho body o.
your dress"
The poor girl stIn hesi,ated. when III,
manager asked again. Cant you fur
nish your own propsf'
II fear not at arst, sir" was the tinit
reply,
Then We don't want you"
The manager turned away, md MARI
staggered toward tho door, half blinded
with grief and disappointment, But crl
fhe had passed Il u grntlo hand was lait
upon her shoulder, aud sweet vote
exclaimed, MY dear child. come aus
zee me tomorrow as early as possible
Hereis my addres"
Marie viewed tho extended card sn,
turned hor eyes toward tho speaker. sh
was n brilliant creature. and the poo
grl tried 10 slammer forth a reply. ou
could not. She Loft the theater and tool
her way homewafd. She could not he'll
thinking OF tho beautiful lady and he
magnificent dtess, sparkling with jewels
What could shs want with herr
Even bright pictures OF the future roa
before her vision, and these dulled tn
sharpness Of her grief Mt the disappoin,
inent she had met with. She did no
tell her father what she had done. o
that she had mn engagement TO meet on
Of tho great ladies Of the theator.
On the mex, day Marie called AT III
place designated upon the card. lie
visit was n Heightened one. but whei
she emerged FROM the ladys presene
sho looked comparatively happy,
one Of the frat things Marie did sfte
returning home was to lind the half fin
ished play which her father was writ
ing; and alone N her own apartment
she passed much tim. over H. She wa
also from her home great deal. durin
which time her father supposed her {
lie at labor Ia the tailoring establish
ment where She occasionally found Gu
ulovment.
But II abe became cheerful immed
htoly after her first visit IN the theatr
cal lady, 1t was not long after before si
began to DO thoughtful-thon sad. ~
became very pale, and at the time Il
conversation between herself and fa,he
described In the first part OF this sketc
took place, she looked as II she cou
endure but little more, either Of ply,
cal or mental eXertion.
The father had observed the increa
Ing pnleness OF his child, aud 1t Ia
caused him much grief. But he III
said nothing u the matter, for he d
mot kunxy hnty he xVus Ia roua1v %