Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-19
GERALDINE'S FAILURE.
The Lesson Learned by Experience
on the Real Stage.

'sBravo! bravo!'
There was vociferous applause with
hands as well as voices.
''My dear, that girl is a born actress!
How different private theatricals are
nowadays! When I was girl
Really-they will have her on again
them
The curtains dividing the audience
from the mimic. stage We're once more
drawn little apart to adIait pretty
girl with dark, ripping hair and spark
ling eyes, who advanced to make her
bow in recognition of the plaudits
which rang through the room.
''WhO is she:' asked visitor.
"a Miss Geraldine Norton was
whispered back. ''Hasn't any money,
lives with an aunt who rather dislikes
against them utterly. only, luckily for
young fellow-Sydney Ascot-else she'd
have to be a gOverness."
us he here?"
''Oh, yes! Behind the scenes! Ha,
ha, ha!''
Sydney Ascot was behind the scenes.
Indeed, at the wings, with his back
against the wall, his arms folded, he
had witnessed, with the gravest of
faces, the triumph of his betrothed, in
THE Bellies Stratagem."
''By Jove, Sgd. doesn't she do it
well?' exclaimed friend, standing at
his side. ''Why, man, what a solemn
countenance! Aren't you pleased?"
"Pleasedr' was the response. 81
wishto Heaven they'd-they'd hiss her. -
by JOve-why?"
because such applause is enough to
turn girls head and give her false no
tions. She'll believe she is genius
All this will make her restless tc
achieve more public glories, and be dis
contented that she can't; while you
know. as we'll as l, Ted. what a vastly
different affair is the real thing from
the imitation. The successful amateur
imagines he or she has but to step from
the mimic to the real stage to score an
equal victory, and, oh. the disapppoint
menti Geraldine is too fond of acting
as it is
Here she comes" remarked Tee
Downes, who deemed it best to slip
away round the wing.
''Oh, sgd, what did you think of me?'
exclaimed his betrothed, dancing up to
him. ''Was it not delightful? And r.
know it's all over. Oh, if it were only
every, every night! But you don't say
what you thought of me?"
Il thought you eXcellent-for an anna
teur.''
The girls cheeks flushed a little deep
er; a hurt expression settled on hel
features.
You are not very enthusiastic, a
any rate she said, her lip curling
s'YOu shall hear what the others art
saying-that I'm born for an actress"
Their praise is very injudicious, my
love, if it makes you think that youl
acting here would be accepted at once
on the real stage. There would be
lot of hard work, of drilling, of heart
burning disappointment, my darling
before you could obtain even half sue
cess in a second-rate part"
Complimentary, certainly" she ex
claimed, with short laugh.
''There is true saying" he smiled
sssSave me from my friends Their ap
plause has sent many young aspiran
On the stage to sup cruel disappoint
ment. There, darling, you are very
clever as an amateur. Be wise, ant
think mine the truest praise. Thanh
Heaven, little wife, you have not to ex
perience the falseness of any other"
If We're not going to marry you,
she exclaimed, with toss, 81 would g
on the stage tomorrow. I love it
adore it!'
Because they applauded you," h
smiled Surprising they had Kissed
People are Missed on the real stage, 20,
know"
She flashed an angry glance at hin
from her dark eyes.
81 love acting better than any thing,