The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-11
DENE CARTER THE ACTOR

Dene Carter the tragedian was fill
ing an engagement in New York. The
big, burly actor was as happy and
hopeful a man as one usually runs
across. In the prime of life, his sue
cess assured, the husband of the sweet
est, fairest and most amiable of wo-
men, possessor of a comfortable home,
all united to drive dull care from his
manly breast. On his way to the
theater one night, speaking to the man.
ager of his company, he said:
II am the happiest man alive; such
health, such a wife, such home! All
if you but knew what a task it is tc
leave Louise, you would wonder that
do not quit my profession,
He spoke from his heart, for man
never loved woman with a nobler OF
more ardent love than Dene Garter
loved his child-wife.
Just three years previous to the date
at which my story opens, Dene Carter,
filling an engagement in Kentucky,
met with Miss Eloise Castleman, q
bankers daughter. It was typica,
case of love at first sight. In two
short weeks he wooed and won the
fairest of her sex. She quilted an ele-
giant home, left father, mother, all, for
this one man whose life meant more tt
her than all the world besides.
One night, while taking leave of her
in playful humor he remarked:
Suppose, Louise, something should
happen to me; who would take care o1
my little wife and baby?"
"Oh, no, no, no, Dene! You-noth
ing will happen to you-you will never
leave me? Kiss me, Dene. Come
home early tonight"
She closed the door, shutting out
the cold wind and the snow and the
man she loved and threw herself upor
her knees before the fire and prayed tc
heaven for Dene's safety and her hap
piness.
During the month of December il
the year of which we write, there was
much sickness in the great city anC
Louise, never very strong, felt hel
health beginning to give way. She
did not complain, but the roses began
to fade from her cheek, and the light
to die from her eyes. She grew wal
and white.
It was with the greatest reluctance
that Dene left her now; each time the
parting grew more painful. Tonight
he was especially 10th to go, but after
having secured nurse and gaining {
promise from the doctor to remain
with her he hurried to the theater
That night he played his part ant
played it well, but oh! his whole heart
his whole soul, yearned to be will
Eloise
AS soon as his role was finished, hard
1y taking time to clear the grease
paints from his face, he rushed hom'
to his wife.
as she not better, doctor? Louise
speak to me! Do you feel better?"
She made no reply, but put he
weak, white arms about his neck as h
raised her on the pillow.
1t was the third night. Dene Carte
bent over his sick wife and laid hi
lips lightly on her forehead; slowly sh
opened her great blue eyes, in which
despite the pain and agony, shone
love so intense, so complete, that eve
death had not the power to Danish il
a faint smile played on her lips; sh
held him so closely, so long, that h
had to unclasp her locked hands fror
about his neck and run for the theate
ere it was too late.
What it cost him to unclasp thos
soft arms heaven only knows.
He reached the theater; mechanical
ly he opened the door and passed il
sought the green-room and began h
makeup.
The rough voice of the stage mar
ager called out the quarter, the firs
| o,l Ixrifho doom o1dih
sigh, made his entrance upon the stag
He began his lines. AS he proceede
| he became more and more intense; hi
face frightened, sorrow fled; forgotte
his child-wife, forgotten the pain of a
hour ago, forgotten the world! 1t ws
not Dene Carter who stood before h
audience, but the living, breathin
character whose lines he spoke.
All! but when the last burst of vii
applause rang out, echoed, and re
echoed and died away, he threw hin
self upon couch behind the scene
covered his face with his hands al
gave vent to his emotion in deep, meal
ing sighs.
Just then he was aroused by voic
"Some one at the stage entrance
see you, Carter"
He started up-he knew what
meant.
Tell me-speak out!" he said imp
tiently to the servant. "Is she worse
The man bowed his head and sad
said:
"She's dying, sir"
"Ah!" Dene Carter threw his har
to his head, staggered back and lean
for support against the wall. Tell
tell--her-Pm coming" he said slo'
,, ly and painfully.
As the servant closed the door al
hastened away he sunk into cha
and buried his face in his hands.
Second act!" called out the sta
manager. "Where's Carter?"
He raised his head, gazed blankly
the man and said:
s Tell her-Tm coming"
He walked on the stage and sto
for moment mute, gazing vacant
about him, silent, motionless. w
that Dene Carter? Could it be De
Carter? He looked ten years oldt