The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-07-09
HIS LAST ROLE.

Xxx A0O oObVotU ANs SSSOu0p OsVW sWsUS8
three times and still tho Applause waa pro-
again. DaExincoust. his lett hand pEssssd
against bis heart, his right holding several
gilt laurel crowns, lowed. while his syss
filled with tears. Tho braves increased
10 . storm; he wanted to say something to
sxprsss his thanks TO tho public. but the
old comedian could only open his lips and
utter q mumblinR sound. He was over
come; his emotion was too deep 10 cloths in
words.
Canos beat on ths floor with q furious
noise. the entire thsnter shook with the
sound. Again and again did tho ushsrs
pass mp to the stage paper palm branches
bearing gibbons on which the y incipaf
yoles Of the actor were Printed. Mean-
while 40 Darzincourt stood In the midst OF
she company hnt had supported him. the.
stage manager loft the group and embraced
him in the name Of the crowd. Al the
same time hs placed one Of the crowns on
hts head. The Q own, TATTOO large. slipped
down to his shoulders, but what Of that.
the Score was beautiful!
II was on this tablcau md amid ffeah
and furious applause that the curtain de-
scsnded. leaving DaEzincourt to take of his
crown and receive the Fluctuations Of his
comrades.
Meyer before IN that provincial oily had
q similar manifestation been made over q
retiring actor; and, a. he was to leave shs
stage permanently, there was no Jealousy
among his follows. So they retired to the
Cafe do la Coincide, whore = second ovation
awaited him, and the fragrant smoke from
the punch bowls on the marble tables Re-
vived the enthusiasm Of those b pressed
forward to do him n And there wore
toasts without number You may be sule!
The old habitues of the theater re-
preached him for leaving them 10 soon-
"Why, II one pleases tho public ono 10 al
ways young"
And he, rubbing his chin that had been
shaved for more than half a century. was
obliged to defend his rstirsment.. His hair
was white, he was too rheumatic to kneel
gracefully in the love scenes. Besides no
had made hts mark, his lifo had been passed
on the boards. Well he needed repose. He
wanted to see the real country instsad OF
faded canvas. He had dreamed Of q little
farm. a little garden where be could smoke
his pipe in peace, to the end Of his days. Il
was time to think Of himself. be had given
enough Of his life to the public. And il
was amusing to hear him speak Of his farm
ing projects. seated there in this costume of
Louis XIV. with the ''maks-up' still on his
xuCC, WuICu al tu0 u0ot v ! tu0 CoAoKALot0u0Q
in oily lines.
At last the manager. with his majestic
gravity, and also moved by the libations he
had taken during that affecting evening,
declared that there was no tellir9 that the
future might bring forth. Who could say
some day? But the latter shook his head.
No! his decision had been made. he wanted
now to enjoy the luxury OF doing nothing.
Two days afterward Dartmouth, installed
in ii, little house. his head covered with a
large straw hat. wearing a linen suit and
the midst of the btoilinR sun. while chat
sing with his little serving maid.
But you ought to wait until evening""
she said. "They will perish"
"Bah!' he smiled. Flowers 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. He
thought with horror Of the rshearsals OF
other days. OF the constant changing Of
costumes and parts to be learned, md shiv-
cred at the remembrance of those scenes
which called for nervous action. A year Of
peaceful pleasure followed. HI was very
happy and why not2 he kept asking himself
again and again-so often in fact that he
began to doubt il he felt so sincerely.
This happiness at the bottom was devil
ish nj n otonous. Yet he was not willing
TO acknowledge that ennui had crept into
that pretty little house which he had lonoed
for so much. And the moro he assured
himself that he needed nothing. the more
he saw that the days that dragged by we.e
abominably void and dull.
To-day. seated in an arbor taking his
coffee, he allowed his pipe to go out 40 he
read over some old plays; oocssionally
pausinR to exclaim. As be came TO some
familiar role, 'Ah. l was great in shat!''
And the old memories of tle past that he
thought were buried came back to tho pres
emit and sang a siren song in his ears. All!
the music OF applause. the shouts and
braves that set tho lights trembling, after
nm impassioned speech! And the little SER
prissd him standing there flushed Of face,
his hair blowing in the breeze, apostrophiz.
ing an imaginary parsonage.
''Ah, Monsieur le Comte-st last We are
face to face!'
IA count here. Where IL this count Of
yours?"
And tho girl laughed until the tears ran
down her cheeks.
Oh, these old habits that we can never lay
inside! Ono fine day Da,zincourt was forced
to acknowledge that he regretted tho thea
ter. 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 a young lawyers cletk who had
literary aspirations. When he read the
e0lOQle6 on Dl6 Olu companions MS DIG rose,
besides they were playing in roles that he
had filled. He had hesitated before; he
hasitated no more.
One mo ming he abandoned his linen suit,
put on his holiday clothes md sought tho
director of the thoater. The latter ap.
pea cd surprised at the visit, ana learning
the motive raised his hands with q gesture
of depreciation.
what. Darzincourt at his age wished to
EeappearT"
And be noticed TINT the comedian stopped
fesbly since be had lived an idle exile, and
had accumulated q fresh crop of Whiskors;
still the prospect Of a fruitful evening. OH
the strength of an actors reputation,
tempted him and he had already formed u
rlan announcing the ''rearpeat ancs" OF the
celebrated DarZincourt.
"Well. why shouldn't you return to tho
singer" he said.
Radiant with the idea of again filing
this ingy hall with his sonorous speeches.,
she old actor began to discuss the piece. He
didn't need any reheatsals of course, no
hud played the "a SO often! With the
JOY Of a child he sought the costume room,
tried on again the clothes that he had wo II
more than a hund cd times, requested that
q few changes bo made. and passed the day
In consultation with tho hairdreaser and
costumer OF tho theater.
Not a wig pleased him, he ordered a new
one. A nervous Raivty possessed him, he
could have turned somersaults.
Tho Rdve tisement produced It's effect.
When the time came the hall was crowded
TO witness his renppearanor. but the fever
- AL-A L. f.-l -..A