Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-04-25
DISENGAGED.

The snow lies thick upon the ground.
l am sitting in my room, writing. The
, tennis lawn is hidden by snow. There
is snow everywhere; it weighs down
the shrubs and trees, and 1t has COM
p}etely buried the Christmas roses
which yesterday were so beautiful.
"Well," l think to myself as | look at
the dismal prospect, "thank goodness
l need not go out today. | shall be
able to finish this work, and then l
can have long read by the fire" l
rise to heap more turf upon the
smouldering embers. Suddenly there
is a ringing peal at the bell. "That is
either a telegram or someone with a
begging letter." | think. However
neither the one nor the other will be
for me-" so | sit down again. But
Just as | begin to write the maiden en-
tiers with a telegram 1t is addressed
to me- l open 1t and read, "See me
at three; - theater," signed bE
/ name | Know. 1t is a royal command
to me. | am an actress resting" and
the telegram is from the manager. |
hasten upstairs, dress in all my best
things. and turn out into the chill
winter daylight. l have to walk some
distance along the partially blocked
pavement before | meet n hanson.
Considering the state of the roads, |
think that | ought to ask the driver
how much he will charge to take ME
to the - theater, a distance of three
miles.
S, away we go. AS we get irto
town the road becomes better; but
there Is thick yellow fog. | arrive,
nevertheless, without any mishap. |
inquire for Mr.. II. at the stage door.
The hall porter regards me somewhat
suspiciously; but on the production of
my card he shows me into Il small
room where there is il fire, while he
retiress in search of Mr. III. / am in
! 4 lady's dressing room. | warm my
self at the fire and nnbotton my coat.
Presently the nCrier returns and in
forms me that he will see me in few
minutes. | look around me delighted
to be reminded OF the art which | love
50 well. What memories the sight Of
/ llllS lllllt IuDltl Ie-itN tiNt0! ! III S'S@
tunes covered from the dust by a clean
sheet; the dressing table with lis
wooden makeup box and it's dusty
looking glass The waShh2nd stand.
with a piece of rose soap placed upon
a cracked saucer. and the combined
odor of cold cream, powder, brllian-
tine and wg-paste. which prevmdcS
the atmosphere with its subtle per
fume. There is shabby black bag
upon one chair and a mans ovcrcoat
on the other. These | do not connect
with the owner of the room, but sup
pose them to belong to one of the
stage hands, or to the gaSman. Mean
slowly; the fog thickens AID l begin
to fear | shall have some difficulty in
getting home. A distant clock strikes
the hour. What irresistible power
makes an actress put up with being
kept waiting hour after hour, until
she is weary in body and mind?
Suddenly the door is roughly opened
by young man. He stands upon the
threshold looking at me as though l
were a curiosity. rise. somewhat EN-
barrassei. II am waiting to see Mr..
H." | remarked; the Stagekecper
showed me in here"
well. | want TO put on my boots
he says. in a familiar tore; its bad
having wet feet
at is" l reply.
"BmStly weather." he says. closing
the door and then STOPPING to unite his
shoes. "IIopc you don't think this a
| liberty" he continues, in an insolent
tone. probably catching sight of
somewhat cynical expression on my
face.
NO" l answer. frigidly, as |
straishten myself up and wish my
father were beside me to put the
young mans boots on for him.
As he stoops to put on one boot, Miss
O. enters. nearly knocking him over.
How fervently wish she had quite!
ooh, | did not know you We're here.
she says. addressing him, and then
shaking hands with me- He does not
offer to go. and my friend is fetched
away
What a silly fool | am not to see
, that | am not wanted" he says.
Surely that is where your clever
ness begins" l remarked. looking him
straight in the eyes. He IS somewhat
staggered; he half grasps his coat and
black bag. l gather my force for a
parting shot. Walking across the room
slowly, | remark: II hope sir. that.
having put on your boots, you have
also put on your manners. Good after
noon"
shut the door and find my way TO
the stage. However" l muse Il
ought not to feel angry with the per-
son; he does not know any better. he
is one of the bandmen or the gaSman.
though why he should change his boots
in lady's dressing room cannot I'M
derStand
! Miss Q. and the manager Mr.. H.
are on the stage. He has never seen