The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-15

HIS LAST ROLE.
Etory OF the Rise and Fail Of an
Actor.

The curtain had already been raised
three times and still the applause was
prolonged. They were compelled to
raise it again. Darzincourt, his left
hand pressed against his heart, his
right holding several gilt laurel crowns,
bowed, while his eyes filled with tears.
The braves increased to storm; he
wanted to say something to express his
thanks to the public, but the old come
dian could only open his lips and utter
mumbling sound He was overcome;
his emotions were too deep to clothe in
words.
Canes beat on the floor with furious
noise. The entire theater shook with
the sound. Again and again did the
nshers pass up to the stage paper palm
branches bearing ribbons on which the
printed. Meanwhile as DARTMOUTH
stood in the midst of the company that
had supported him the stage manager
left the group and embraced him in the
name of the crowd. At the same time
he placed one Of the crowns on his
head. The crown, far too large, slipped
down to his shoulders. but what of
ahat?-the scene was beautiful.
1t was on this tableau and amid fresh
and furious applause that the curtain
descended, leaving Darzincourt to take
off his crown and receive the felicita-
tions of his comrades.
Never before in that provincial city
had similar manifestation been made
over a retiring actor. and as he was to
leave the stage permanently there was
no jealousy among his fellows So he
retired to the Cafe de la Coincide, where
fl second ovation awaited him, and the
fragrant smoke from the punch bowls
on the marble tables received the en-
thusiasm of those who pressed for
ward to do him honor. And there
were toasts without number, you may
he sure.
The old habitues of the theater re-
preached him for leaving them so soon
"Why, if one pleases the public, one is
always young"
And he. rubbing his chin, that had
been shaved for more than half CEN
fury, was obliged to defend his retire
ment His hair was white; he was
too rheumatic 10 kneel gracefully in the
love scenes Besides, he made his
pnark. his life had been passed on the
boards Well, he needed repose He
wanted to see the real country instead
of faded canvas He had dreamed of a
little farm-a little garden where he
could smoke his pipe in peace to the
end of his days. 1t was time to think
of himself; he had given enough of his
life to the public. And it was amusing
to hear him speak of his farming prof.
pets, seated there in the costume of
Louis XIV, with the makeup" still on
his face, which in the heat of the cafe
glistened in oily lines.
4, At last the manager. with his majes-
tic gravity, and also moved by the
libations he had taken during that af-
fecting evening, declared that there
was no telling what the future might
bring forth. Who could say that Darz-
tncourt would not come back some
day? But the latter shook his head.
MOI his decision had been made; he
wanted now to enjoy Che luxury of do
Ing nothing.
Two days afterward DARTMOUTH, in
stalled in his little house, his head COW
bred with a large straw hat, wearing
a linen suit and wooden shoes. began
TO water his flowers in the midst of a
broiIng sun, while chatting with the
little servant maid
But you ought to wait till evening""
ehe said. ''They will perish"
'Bah!' he smiled. blowers are like
women. You can't show them too
much attention"
From that time delicious life began
for him in the peace of his rustic home.
5fe thought with horror of the rehears-
ais of other days, of the constant
changing of costumes and parts to be
learned, and shivered at the remem-
ibrance of those scenes which called for
nervous action. A year of peaceful
pleasure followed. He was very happy,
and why not? he kept asking himself
ngain and again-so often, in fact,
that he began to doubt if he felt SO sin
cerely.
This happiness at the bottom was
monetonous. Yet he was not willing
co acknowledge that ennui had crept
Into that pretty little house which he
had longed for so much. and the more
he assured himself that be needed
nothing the more he saw that the days
that dragged by were abominably void
and dull.
To-day, seated in an arbor taking his
coffee, he allowed his pipe to go out as
he read oHer some old plays, occasion
ally pausing to exclaim as he came to
some familiar role: 'Ah. / was great
I'm that" And the old memories of the
past that he thought We're buried came
TO the present and sang a siren song in
his ears All, the music of applause,
1.-THE shouts and braves that set the
lights trembling after an imprisoned
Speech! And the little servant coming
ITO remove the dishes surprised him
starding there flushed of face, his hair
FLOWING in the breeze, apostrophizing
nm imaginary parsonage.
''Ah. monsieur lie comte-at last we
are face to FACET
4. "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 aside! 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.