The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-08

at her expense and the scene OF her
mothers lonely death seemed more
nightmare than a reality
Wealth was showered at her feet
but it brought no comfort to the wo-
man who had won it
1t was only in the few brief mo-
ments when memory carried her back
to the chorus, in which she was once
50 happy. that she became light
hearted again and could bear to think
of her gentle mother.
There was a monument at her
mothers head. now but it also pro-
claimed her shame. and the happiness
from a loving action was denied her
even at her mothers grave
The beautiful actress grew more
beautiful day by day. until both art and
talent were forced to lend their aid
in her am bilious 1abors. Such ardor
must succeed at last, and one night,
never to be forgotten one, the zenith
of her fame was reached
From pit to dome the theater was
closely packed, and at the climax Of
scene she advanced to the front, be-
meath perfect shower of roses
Men shouted and flung her costly
gems. while the women waved their
handkerchiefs and deluged her with
loving missives-
1t was Daisy Donaldson's greatest
conquest, but as she stood mOdestly
before her admirers, the eyes that
shone like liquid stars were actually
alight with horror
It seemed to Daisy at this triumph
ant hour that the dead face of her
mother lay before her, and for the
first time since that awful night she
turned and caught again that dying
-
For a moment, even in that tumult
of applause, the very air grew black
and still
Horror and remorse consumed her
soul, and only the cold, repulsive
voice of a man standing just inside
the wings brought back the present
with its obligations
She bowed gracefully and kissed
her hand over and over to the impetu-
Gus throng. To them it was but the
expression Of her gratitude, but to
her, the gesture meant farewell
She had only to appear once more
and that was at the final curtain"
but when she reached her dressing
room the necess.t y Of this appearance
seemed lost to her, for her mind
was busy with another matter.
That night her fortune had been
her bosom when she was alone, and
bent and kissed it tenderly- 1T will
keep the children from all want, she
whispered, and in another moment
she had locked her door and was busy
with some hasty writing.
The last act was called, but she did
not stir, but just before the cue for
her appearance she sent a sealed note
by boy to post, and then wrapping
a mantle about her head crept down
the narrow stairs and let the stage
door close behind her
One, two. three minutes they
waited, but she did not come. An
understudy took her place and the
scene ended mid a murmur of dissatis-
faction, ut long after the people had
ga ned their homes they were still
talking of her wondrous art and the
almost heart breaking pathos Of her
lovely voice and features
While they were searching for her
in luxurious places, Daisy Donaldson.
again a struggling chorus girl was
hurrying through the narrow streets
to the room that had held her dying
mother. All was over now, the sacri-
fee, the honor and the evil. The chill
dren were provided for now and her
laurels were as fresh and green as she,
with her broken nedrL, could ever
hope to make them.
Bv her mothers bed she would soon
kneel down. and after she had told
her all. she hoped to feel her heart
grow lighter
It had been a great tie mptation-her
mothel- must know that-but some
way, whenever she tried to Justify
herself IN such a thought, the dear
dead face came back again and
mOurnfully rebuked her.
It was no surprise to her to find the
place the same, and in her happiness
She neglected to read the sign that
was stretched cOnspicuously across
the humble entrance Up she went
to the well-known room. the stairs
crealing ominously at every step,
and the walls giving back a hollow
sound that should have warned her
not to trust them
Yes, the room was there with its
few dingy bits OF furniture and. quite
ignoring her lovely dress she entered
the dirty, moldering place with
sigh of almost perfect pleasure and
threw herself down. like penitent
child. upon the cot that had held her
mother.
A groan echoed her sudds IN move
ment, as though the very walls them
selves partook of her wretchedness of
spirit Another second and the floor
shook visibly beneath her feet. the
window ranted its few dusty panes
and then with a horrid crash and a
vicious snap. roof and floor gave way
at once and shrouded her in wreck
and ruin