The Press., 1892-02-18
THE ACTORS DAUGHTER

think. For niany ysa<s I havs kad { regular eng&geihent, md should have saved money H you ais90ld 20 tos ths tmanagsF ass syeu sptopossseand stea hiar that, we were galEexipg afor food thA! your old father was lyine sick n tllil miserable attic--he would tell you that had been impfovid ident that I had squan. dered nay money, and that now, In nAy utter helpiessieas, must suIfsf ssae con. sequences of n6y f0llS r < saF sfrathes, yDu accnse y6ussslK ssrnngs fully. You have rearsd sSd educated s family of three, and for msny years have cared tenderIy for poor rnotheys even shsoash s,,,'9,,. .i '! ths yaFssd stssss q eon.
 The old actof's dsushssr at silent and thoughtfal fora time She was r6xoly- ing In her mind scenes and incidents ol which her father was entireiy iqneralt. Let us describe them. s--s''''s ss f4
 if was q perfUd thtse aaontfs y,revfona to the foregoing cod4efsat ati6n. The mother had just been laid ih tlIe cold grave, and fthe 3&fhsr waZ as noSTy m able to- leave hisf room. The wolf was N1kAA& 1kzkzA 1&a<A4 e4& Asss timid in action, bat brave in heart. had resolyed to assist the parent shs loved so dearly. Asa ms sss4sss''
 It was bitter kinterss evening when she left her ho1ae for she purposs. Tho sharp blast cut her to the seery heArf, sz she drew her thin mantle. .AfouAd her. But she had read in tho papers that Gisls were wanted for the ballet at one of the theaters. They were to apply at the stags door that morning, but she had been unable to leave her fathers side 1t that time. She feared she would Be too late; still she could bat txys ss On resching Inc stage door ke9s heaRt almost failed her; but their home again rose up. before her, and she sentured to accost the doorkeeper,.
 w ant to see the stage manager, ehH'.
 Yea, sir, If you please. "s 4A 2 stBett4r wait til tos1aorfow.s
 ''I tried to come today; sir, batcould ,not.h issfEll lasss.t Aast. s3ss sssi s4s ; "1ndeedi Oh. here he conaes; you can apply to him now."
 That functionary happened to bel pass- ing, and hearing tlle words understood their import. at encss 4s He turned . searching look upons she poor gizls and was about to pass on. But he caught sight of her face in the gaslight, and ssid: Not bad looking if she is in rags. So you want an engagement, ehy,
 .sYes, sir, if you please, replied Marie.
 -.To play Lady Macbsth, EsupposeY'
 ;ss...No, sirs for the baalet.s
 st0hi Ever been on thesstages before2'
 'Only as ac child, sir. v 's7
 .soh, only as s childi Do you sineT
 Yes, sir-very well"
 ' ..yery well, 50 you think; Ilniglst nos. Do you danoa2 @ s ss ss4 " E E gt Yes air. Father nlns aa aptox, aud he says dancs very vel. ' 7 'i'sss'ss
 "Oh, then you can come tomorrsw and try it. ,"
 tT viii be here, sir.
 Bring your props with you"
 Poor Marie hesitated; and the mana. ger, observing this, said; st0h, perhaps you don't know what I mean by. ppops. We'll. they arc your feathers, jewels, ribbons, faces. tights, slippers. gloves. and so on. We only furnish the body Of your dress"
 The poor girl still hesitated, when the manager asked again, Cant you fur nish your own propsy'
 'I fear not at first, sir, 7 was the timdd reply.
 ssThen we don't want you.s
 The manager turned away, and Maria staggered toward the door, half blinded with grief and disappointment. But ers she had passed 1t s gentle hand was laid upon her shoulder, and sweet voice exclaimed, My dear child, come aud see me tomorrow as early as possible. Here is my address"
 Marie viewed the extended card and turned her eyes toward the speaker. She was brilliant, creature, and the poor girl tried to stammer forth reply, bpt could not. She left the theater and took her way homeward. She could not help thinking of the beautiful lady and her magnificent dress. sparkling with jewels. What could she want with her7 Even bright pictures of the future ross before her vision. and these dullea ths sharpness of her grief at the disappoint- ment she had met with. She did not tell her father what she had done, Or that she had an engagement to meet one of the great ladies of the theater.
 On the next day Marie called at the place designated upon the card. Her visit was Heightened one, but whSn she emerged from the lady's presencs she looked comparatively happy.
 One of the first things Marie did after returning home was to find the half fln- ished play which her father was writ: ing; and alone in her own apartment she passed much time over 1t. She wsAs also from her home great deal, during which time her father supposed her to be at labor in the tailoring establish- ment where she occasionally Hound etD- ployment.
 But If she became cheefRnT Inmsdf- ately after her first visit to the theatkts cal Lady, it was not long after before shs began to be thoughtful-the sad. She became very pale, and at the time the conversation between herself and father, described in the first part of this sketch, took place, she looked as If she could endure but little more, either of physi- cal or mental exertion.
 The father had observed the increas- ing paleness of his child, and it had caused him much grief. But he had said nothing of the matter, for he did not know how he was to remedy 1t. He had been hopeful, but now had almost give up in despair.
 As evening approached poor Marie grew still paler, but she spoke words oi hope and comfort to her father and that parent could not but look upon her in admiration as well as pity.
 The hour came when business called ther away. She pressed her marble cold lips to her fathers brow. She held hia hand in her own for s moment. and tear drops fell upon 1t. Then she said:
 Father. the darkest time Is just be-