The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-10


Her eyes were wide between. Her forehead
was broad and low. The mouth disclosed
row of teeth which were dazzling in thei1
Wilderness, and very sweet in their express
sion. Her chin was square. Yes, square
1t matched the unexpected width in hel
forehead. And just from the fact OF it,
unexpected frmness 1t made her satisfactory
thought. II he did not think, he found hel
none the less captivating. Afterward he
| discovered she was dangerous as we'll.
She stood lightly, her eyes sparkling, hei
usually radiant face little serious.
The room was the empty office OF a theatri
cal manager That is, empty OF everything
| but a table, chair. the two managers
Breval and Jancey, and Serpoiette.
| 1t was large and long and bare. the floor
| uncarpeted. At the end OF 1t was a grand
| piano in a dilapdated case On the walls
Paris fin de steele. from dramatic and lyric
standpoint. Posters pink and blue and vel
low posters big lettered and small ettered
| posters elaborate and posters simple adorned
! the dirgy walls The biggest one announcing
! the past, present and future debuts OF Mile
| Serpolette. the idol Of the public" the
'enfant gate of the hour"
Jancey had turned as she came forward
his shrewd old face reddening with as
| constituent Breval puckered his lips to-
| gether and whistled.
! cite, earnestly, a slight frown rufHing the
! 5moothness OF the soft flesh between her
| yes: "a little skit thought OF one night
when l SLEPT. l woke and thought It OUT.
claim for it niche. though. Boards
worth while to play it on. l want the
-ootlights Of the pala.s Royal to light it
i up. None OF your open Air theaters for
shs production. The legitimate. May
10 it?"
! Her eyes were earnest and ins!stant.
| She was leaning forward on the handle of
Aer green umbrella, her supple waist line
curved in as she bent forward, her rounded
| hips suggestively outlining themselves
| under her soft pink skirts. She appeared TO
! lave totally forgotten everything but the
| subject in hand. Her subject. Jancey look
| I'd at her steadily, the light springing to
! his eyes. Breval yawned.
What is your project?" demanded jan
cey.
First" began serpolette. II am not
satisfied; oh''-as Breval gave vent to a
soothing laugh--"you think We artists are
never satisfied. 1t Is true. But this time
it is not my pay I shall find fault with,
nor my role, or the music Of my last song,
1or the words. 1t Is With myself. There
has been something stirring in me lately
cannot get away from. A feeling that
! must give vent TO it or things will go
badly with me. Il l5----"
ut is'-and she threw back her head
| as though she could breathe longer and
! fuller with her chin raised-"it is this"
. She spoke very rapidly and low. II wish
! 10 hold the public in the palm Of my hand
wish to run up and down the scale of its
emotions. l not only desire to force it to
| laugh and applaud: to cheer me. and cover
me with flowers. l want TO strike a new
| variation. Twould be so intoxicating to
| make the public my sounding board. and
| bring forth from 1t at my sweet will groane
or signs. as well as rampant enthusiasm
| and applause. I'd like to bid the tears
| course down their cheeks as we'll as to see
these same cheeks wrinkle up with laugh
ter. I'd reddan their eyes as we'll as make
them laugh. It's Silly to laugh always. I
want more power. Give me- the space to
| try for It."
! Breval smiled cynically. "a whim." he
| said; and then he turned indifferently. and
commenced to toss over some papers on his
desk.
Jancey sat silently regarding Serpolette
Then he stretched forth his hand.
Come here. my child" he said. APPROX
ingly; chen and there, for the first time.
spoke the artist"
Serpolette. with little graceful move
ment, lifted her gloved hand to her lips,
kissed it, and with that hand laid the kisses
on jancey's outs,retched palm.
Then she sprang back, tossed her hat
from her and her umbrella. and her gold
eyegla%s. and her purse Of silver links. She
oreathed heavily and slowly
You know how I can laugh" she began;
IBID some one write me play which con-
tains both laughter and tears. I can weep
we'll"
YOU" from Breval. scepucally. ''you.
You were not made to weep"
A look OF pain, as oddly at variance with
her eaucy face as cloud across the bright
ness of a day in June. blotted out for an in
slant the bloom OF Serpolettes radiant
countenance. 1t vanished as quickly as it
came. but Jancey had seen 1t.
"Ah. let me try It." she urged. Surely
you will let me play my share OF tragedy as
we'll as comedy. Surely you will not deny
me the knowledge Of tears"
It seemed an anomaly. A woman like
serpolette pleading for the right to weep.
BrevAl rubbed his eyes.
Enough" he said. have done. I know
your type. At weeping you would fall
You have not suffered"
II can play at tears"
You cannot"
~ will
you won't. I engage you to laugh. 1t
ia like your SEE. as soon as the contract is
signed to wish to play heavier roles. Try
the legitimate. if you will but, pour Iamour
de Dieu, leave out the mournful and lugu-
brious. The public would only laugh at
you;'' and to emphasize his remark Breval
brought down his fist with a conclusive
bang on the table before him.
Serpolette stamped her foot.
you refuse?"
mot"
"Soit."
She settled her hat firmly on her graceful
head, brought hor white teeth together with
a click, picked up her purse and umbrella
and marched like a petticoated drum
major to the door.
AS she laid her hand upon the handle,
Jancey cried suddenly, Il have an idea.
Hear me" as Breval commenced a violent
protest; 'let Serpolette laugh; give her
souDrette parts. Have another actress to
fill the title roles. Make the play eerio-
comic. Twill be new venture at the
Palais Royal. Serpolette is sure to draw
She has filed our pockets. Give her her
head, but in reason"
II have it," cried Serpolette and down
went her umbrella again. II know a girl,
friend Of mine from Mines. She Is the per-
soniAcation of grie.. All her lines go down
as all mine go up. Eyelids droop, mouth
droops at the corners. unmitigated grief.
So"
She Stood 1nournfully, trying to look as
grief-stricken as she could; but her hat be-
lied her and her willful hair. and her eyes,
! an hpr n mil