The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-08

very high yet, she thought, but they
appeared to be happy and conteRted
with their lot. They could keep them
selves comfortably, Snd-in this fact lay
the principal charm Of their position
they were perfectly free, absolutely
OF themselves, and could
move about az they listed.
When Salome questioned the light
hearted twain as to their plans for the
future, when the pantomime season was
over, they told her that they had decid-
ed to travel together on the music hall
boards as the Sisters Lancaster, duet
fists and dancers"
Salome had noticed one popularity
which had marked the conversation Of
the others in respect 10 herself, They
spoke to her freely as one OF themselves,
using the phrsssology in vogue among
those who make livelihood by enter
tanning others; and that they evident.
ly looked upon her as "sister pro"
Probably the fact Of her being in apart
ments in house frequently made use
OF by professionals" had something to
do with their mistake; anyhow when
Salome explained that she did not be-
long to the "profeSsion," both Miss
Thompson and Miss Stanley expressed
considerable amazemeRt and not a little
incEedulity, -,
"You are chatting u.s." Miss Barring"
Miss Thompson had cried with ques'
tioning eyes, ~ am certain you are one
Of Us and that | have seen your name
billed somewhere or other"
80 am IN said the other girl with
the same certainty Of utterance. why,
am almost ready TO swear that l saw
you announced to appear. In Sheffield
Il believe 1t wRs-When l was there
last summer.
"You are both mistaken" Salome re-
piled, pleasantly, "ior | never was on
the stage in my life, The only attempt
ever made in that direction was at q
school concert at little village in Ian
cashire."
"You come from Lancashire, then,
Miss Barring" the others asked in q
breath.
She nodded and the artistes expressed
their pleasure again, saying that the
nest best thing to being back in dear
old Lancashire was TO meet with a ma
tive OF their own loved shire.
"But, really, Miss Baring," Flo Thomp'
son resumed, do you not belong TO
either the stage or the music halls"
II belong to neither, Miss Thompson,
but l am thinking OF joining the pro-
iessiOn, os you term 1t, provided it can
be DONE"
"Oh, that's easy enough" Violet
Stanley broke in with merry laugh,
"provided that you possess either
money, beauty or ability.
"And Miss Barring does possess one OF
the three things You mention, Violet,
as every one with eyes can see."
(Which Of them2 Miss Barring said
smiling
beauty, OF course! Why, with your
face and figure, my dear, you would get
shop anywhere. They would fetch
thirty bob q week in any panto. or
comic opera, and il you will go to the
theatre with us some evening III intro
duce you to old Bradbourne, and ten to
one he'll offer you something right of
the reel. .....,...
"But should not care to take part in
pantomime, l think" Salome said,
with grave countenance.
Because" cried Flo, with burst OF
laughter. you cannot tolerate the idea
OF posturlng TO the multitude in flesh
ings!"
There was general laugh at this
sally, and when the merriment subsidized
Miss Stanley remarked;
~ can quite understand her scrupleS,
and respect them, too. But, suppoSing
you have made up your mind to enter
the profession, Miss Barring, what line
are you thinking OF taking up? Can you
act, dance, or sing?"
II can sing a lit!le-that 10 all, " was
Saiome's haif-disheartened reply.
"Then the music.hall is you fate !"
exclaimed Flo, with serio.comical face,
voice, and gesture. "But, cheer up. for
heavens sake, or you will make US be-
lieve that you have not got pluck enough
for anything. II you have made up
your mind 10 have try at the BUSH
ness, there is no difficulty in the way
that you need fear"
saiome thanked her with grateful
look, and asked;
"But how am | to cot about w"
ooh, that's all right. suppose you
have a bit Of money!
"Plenty-at least over forty pounds. "
"Quite a little fortune, and more
than you will require, should think.
Here 70 the Era. Glance over 1t and
you will find that quite host OF good
natured ladies' and gentlemen arc quite
eager to prepare aspirants for the stage,
halls or concert room, provided they
can plank down the necessary lucre for
their lessons"
"And quite a crowd OF them arc will
ing to fleece every unwary girl they
meL!" Miss Stanley interpoSed. "They
will take your money, probably insult
you, and at the end you will be taught
next to nothing"
"But we will see that che doesn't fall
into the hands Of thieves" Flo added
with decided shake OF her curly yellew
head. "0ur agent, George Liddcott,
will know who's who, and will see that
you have q fair chance given you oil
picking up what you reedp
what do you mean by your agent
salome asked, simply.
81 meant the gentleman who looks
after our engagements at the different
music.halls, Mr.. Liddcott is known
probably to half tho music.hall pro
prietors in the kingdom, aud he can gel
one an engagement where On artist
would seek in vain, unless he or she
happened to be a star. VI course, We
have to pay him for his trouble, but
that's nothing SO long as no keeps YOU
in collar; and, besides, II saves one nc
end Of trouble In writing"
II think l understand YOU" the
White Gypsy made answer, family.
She was beginning to fear that she
had very seriously underestimated the