The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-10-03
A DEANS DAUGHTER.

The cathedral town OF Mudcastle
was stirred to its lowest depths, and
In high places there was mourning
and lamentation and woe. People
spoke in whispers and went about
softly with sorrow stricken faces.
The very bells--and there were a
good many of them-seemed to have
lost their offensive hilarity, for the
deans daughter had gone on the
stage, and the shadow of her un-
holiness had fallen upon the city.
To the cathedral society III which
she had moved with so much sweet
ness and success the stage was only
another name for the lower regions.
1t is true that the lyceum was some
times patronized under protest dur
ing the May meetings, and it was
whispered that one giddy young
minor canon had been seen III the
Savoy-a rumor that nearly caused
an action for libel-but the ordinary
worldly theater, where people went
rather for amusement than instruc-
ton and where actresses occasional
ly showed more than their ankles,
could not even be mentioned with
out ~offense.
And now the daughter of the
dean, their brightest star of ecclesi-
asticism and learning, had left the
fold Of sanctity where she had SO
long been nurtured and burst forth
as a burlesque actress in London. A
burlesque actress, ye shades of St.
Peterl Not a walking lady in a
modern drama, but q lieutenant in
tights. What wonder that Mudcas-
tie bowed its head and blushed with
shame!
Yet it would be unjust to say that
every one in the town was prOstrat-
ed with grief. The minor canons in
deed who, confident in their 5000 a
year and singsong voices, had re-
garded themselves as possible suit
Ors for her hand went about with
longer faces than usual. But the
young ladies Of the place were filled
with a secret joy and began to show
redoubled attention to good works
and their personal appearance, for
Elsie Milton, the most beautiful girl
in the town and perhaps in the coun-
ty, was out of their way, and the
hope of their earthly reward shone
more brightly on the horizon.
On n point, however, every one
in Mudcastle was agreed. Her con-
duct was both ineXplicable and dis
graceful. We of the outside world
the outer darkness, Mudcastle might
call it-may have our doubts about
the disgrace, but we are obliged to
admit that she had acted in a very
extraordinary manner.
For an explanation let us return
to Elsie herself. She is in hor dress
ing room at the Jollity theater put
ting the last touches to her personal
appearance and talking to'her friend,
Lotto Legge, the skirt dancer. The
room is half filled with sprays and
bouquets of the rarost flowers. One
OF two open jewel cases with cards
inside flash like rainbows in the
electric light. But moro lovely than
flower or jewel case is the girl who
Is standing before the long pier glass
softening the effect of the paint OF
her face with powder and arranging
her sword to the utmost artistic ad
vantage. Hen figure is magnificen
and is shown to perfection by hel
costume. Her violet eyes and darl
auburn hair produce that wonderful.
effect which is so rarely seen, but
once seen Is never forgotten, anC
ever the paint and powder cannot
take away the sweetness and refine
ment of that marvellous oval face OF
the expression of that wonderful.
mouth.
Though her part in the ~burlesque
10 only subordinate one, all London
ia raving over her, and the manager
has had to raise her salary to thai
of a bishop to retain her. Night aft.
or night bouquets and jewelry are
thrown at her feet. Night after
night notes are brought to her dress
ing room, only to be tossed con
temptuously aside. Invitations poul
upon her from every quarter. They
are all refused. No breath of sus
picion has ever been allowed to res
upon her name. The flowers are no
worn; the jewelry is returned. The,
call her the Queen of Snow, yet NJ
n who ever looked upon her fac,
could doubt that, though she Nigh
be pure as snow, she was as passion
ate and perhaps as mischievous a
fire. Her acting is Indifferent, he
dancing more natural than skillful
her singing remarkable for nothin;
but expression. Her triumph ha
been entirely the triumph of beauty
There have been many such in thes
days.
"This-this is life, Lottie," sh
said, turning from the glass to he
companion. You, to whom l hav
told my story tonight, have nc ide