The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-10-28


To-day, seated in an arbor taking his
coifee, he allowed his pipe to 90 out as
he read over some old plays, occasion.
ally pausing to exclaim as he came to
some familiar role: "Ah, / was great
In that" And the old memories of the
past that he thought were buried came
to the present and sang siren song in
MS ears All, the music of applause,
the shouts and bravos that set the
lights trembling after an impassioned
speech! And the little servant coming
TO remove the dishes surprised him
standing there flushed of face, his hair
blowing in the breeze, apostrophizing
an imaginary parsonage.
"Ah. monsieur lie comtc-at last we
are face to facet"
"A count here! Where is this count
of yours?"
And the girl laughed till the tears
ran down her cheeks.
Oh, these old habits that we can
never lay asidel One fine day Darzin-
court was forced to acknowledge that
he regretted the theater Well, yes,
why not? One cannot live on the
boards with impunity and not suffer
from nostalgia. He subscribed to the
town paper, and followed the theatrical
notices written by young lawyer
clerk who had literary aspirations
When he read the eulogies on his old
companions his bile rose; besides, they
were playing In roles that he had
I'D Il
hesitated no more
One morning he abandoned his linen
suit, put on his holiday clothes and
sought the director of the theater. The
latter appeared to be surprised at the
visit, and. learning the motive raised
his hands with gesture of deprecia-
ton.
what, Darzincourt ut his age wished
to reappear?"
And he noticed the comedian stopped
feebly since he had lived in idle exile
and had accumulated a fresh crop of
whiskers. Still the prospect of fruit
ful evening, on the strength of the
actors reputation, tempted him, and he
had already formed a plan announcing
Wiz tChpPCdkduCC VI Vic CGIG
Darzincourt.
We'll, why shouldn't you return TO
the stage?" he said
Radiant with the idea of again filing
this dingy hall with his sonorous
c1ss Che piece. he didn't need any re-
hearsals, of course; he had played the
part SO oftenl With the joy of n child
he sought the costume room, tried on
again the clothes he had worn more
than hundred times, requested that
few changes be made, and passed the
day in consultation with the hair
dresser and costumer of the theater.
Not a wig pleased him. he ordered
new one. A nervous gayety possessed
him; he could have turned somersaults.
The advertisement produced its effect.
When the time came the hall was
crowded to witness his temperance,
but the feverish enthusiasm he had
counted on was lacking. He appeared,
a little applause saluted him, but it
was not continued. The audience be-
came apathetic. What! was this the
narzincourt that had charmed them in
other days? Why, the poor fellow was
grotesque! He felt disconnected, but
not alarmed. Since his departure they
had missed the fire of the old school of
acting; he would show them what 1t
was!
The old patrons of the theatcr whom
he knew uttered little exclamations of
surprise. The newcomers began openly
TO ridicule. The rest of the company
sulked and gave Darzincourt his cues
reluctantly, until he began to lose his
assurance little by little. He stumbled
in pathetic speech-turned a sentence
into ridicule - the parterre howled.
From that moment every word, every
gesture provoked a tempest.
Darzincourt felt cold perspiration
gather on his forehead. Around him
in the boxes people were going out,
and he murmured, pale with anger:
''Ingrates! Ingratesl"
At that point in the play where he
was to fall--in faint after reading the
letter-he could not get up until ma
chinist was sent TO help him. Then the
Kisses rose like storm. Such an OPP
portunity to have fun was infrequent
in this quiet town, and the crowd set
up an awful racket. But DarziDcourt
persisted, though his eyes were filed
with tears. At last, crushed by his
emotions, he forgot his lines. He
stood with mouth wide open, hearing
no more than the dcrisive shrieks OF
the orchestra or the cat-calls from the
galleries. The failure was decisive;
the play could go no further. Enter
ing his dressing-room the old comedian
tore his hair, reeling like DRUNKEN
man.
you've put us in nice box"
growled the director, who nevertheless
had just pocketed the receipts.
Darzincourt regained his home in
crushed condition. A whole life OF
glory to end in this fatal defeat! Still
dressed he lay down on the bed and re-
viewed the horrible evening. No! he
would not allow himself to be beaten.
He would fight again. Could he leave
the theater forever? Even with its
chagrins and notifications he had
need of 1t.