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

terre howlej. From that moment every
word. every gesture provoked = tempest,
Darzincou,t felt a cold PRECIPITATION
gather on his forehead. Around him in the
hores people were going out-and he mar
INJURED pale with anger. "1naF"ses! IN
grates!'
f.il-;n a faint after reading a let
ter-he could not get ur. until
a machiniss was sent to help him.
Then the hisses rose like q storm. Suoh an
opportunity to have fun WAS i~nffequent in
this Quiet town. and the crowd set up an
awful racket. But Darzinconr pers.s1ea:
last crushed by his emotions he forgot his
lines. He stood with mouth wide oren,
hearing no more the derisive shrieks OF tne
orchestra or the cat calls Il om the galleries.
The failure was decisive. the play could go
no further. Entering. his dressing room
the old comedian tore his hais-feel'nR 'lke
"You've put us in q nice box" prowled
the director, who nevertheless had Just
pocketed the receipts.
Darzincourt rsaained his home in .
crushed condition. A whole life OF Rlo :
TO end in this fatal defeat! stu dresssd
he lav down On the bed and reviewed she
horrible evening. No! he would not allow
himself to DO beaten. He would b
again. Could no leave the theater foreverI
Even with its chaRrins and morttfcntions
he had need Of II.
The handsome Darzincoust Of the past
now supplioeted and imploTed the o'reoto.;
to have a small role glvsn him-a little, .
verv little ,ole.
From motives Of sconomy they accsded
to his lequest-he was given the part OF =
servant aud he set ont to study it with all
the ardor Of . dsbutant.
yNhA- h. ~A~nA L. 1AAAan In hand tina AM
disnce without reason, except That OF cruel
Joy. began TO sing Oar zin-couit-Dar-
z%in-court" to a popular air. From balcony
to orchestra rang the derisive sound.
''You sec. my poor old man." SAID the
manager, "you nie no longer wanted" AND
the intoxication Of the theater, asked him
self in desperation what was to become OF
him AWAY from the footlights.
After that no asked only permission to
be a supetnumerary. man OF the ieople,
archer OF the palace, noble without i'm
portance. But they recognized him In the
midst OF the others and the public accus-
toned to having amusement ut his expense
flied the hall with noise and laughter. 1t
was impossible to allow him to aprer now
even No u ~'supe." Thu little house at the
gates of the town still smiled beneath Its
burden ct clematis and fresh green vines,
but he came there no more.
All HIS life was bound up in the theAser.
He was a martyr off the stage! He passed
his DAYS in a corner of the wings. having
no more the right TO show himself In the
evening, however humbly. He waited
away, worn by sadness and longing; wan
dering about through the dressing rooms OF
the artists, like an old dog whore huntina
days are over. but whom no n will turn
away. One night tho manager approached
him with a cruel smile. Look here" he
sn!d, Nv are going TO put on a new piece.
In the third act tho barking OF a dog ia
head in the wings. You be the dog, will
youp"
"Darzincourt took the extended hand in
his-tremNiing with ioy-his face ,rans-
iRured-as he Hammered out his thanks.
IA rolew he cried. II shall hnvo another
role!'-Tl xns.atsd from the F.snch OF
Paul Gc,riaty for Short Stories.