The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-02
STRANGE STORY OF A
DEANS DAUGHTER.
From London Truth.

was
stirred to its lowest depths, and in high
places there was mourning and lamenta-
ton 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 unholiness had
fallen upon the city.
To the cathedral society in which she
had moved with so much sweetness ana
success the stage was only another mann
for the lower regions. 1t is true that the
lyceum was sometimes patronized under
protest during the May meetings, and II
was whispered that one giddy youns
minor canon had been seen in the Savoy
rumor that nearly caused an action for
libel; but the ordinary worldly theater,
where people went rather for amusement
than obstruction, and where actresses oc-
casionally showed more than their ankles,
could not even be mentioned without Of
tense.
And now the daughter of the dean,
their brightest star of ecclesiasticism and
learning, had left the fold of sanctlty
where she had so long been nurtured, and
burst forth as burlesque actress in Lon
don. A burlesque actress, We shades of st.
Peter! Not walking lady in a modern
drama, but lieutenant in tights. What
wonder that Mudcastle bowed its head
and blushed with shame
Yet it would be unjust to say that every
one in the town was Frustrated with grief
The minor canons, indeed, who, confident
in their 200 year and sing-song voices,
had regarded 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 redoubed attention to
good works and their personal appearance,
for Elsie Milton, the most beautiful girl
in town, and perhaps in the county, was
out OF their way, and the hope of their
earthly reward shown more brightly on
the horizon.
On one point however, everyone in Mud
castle was agreed. Her conduct was most
inexplicable and disgraceful. We of the
outside world, the outer darkness Mud
castle might call it, may have our doubts
about the disgrace, but we are obliged to
admit that she had acted in a very extra
ordinary manner.
For an explanation let us return to Ell
sic herself. She is in her dressing room
at the Jollity theater, putting the last
touches to her personal appearance and
talking to her friend, Lottie Legge, the
skirt dancer. The room is half filled with
sprays and bouquets of the rarest flowers.
One or two open jewel cases with cards
inside flash like rainbows in the electric
light. But more lovely than flower or jew
Ell case is the girl who is standing before
the long pier glass, Softening the effect
of the paint on her face with powder, and
arranging her sword to the utmost artistic
advantage. Her figure is magnificent and
is shown to perfection by her costume.
Her violet eyes and dark auburn hair
produce " <
rarely seen, but once seen is never for
gotten; and even the paint and powder
cannot take away the sweetness and re-
fnement of that marvellous oval face, or
the expression of that wonderful mouth.
Though her part in the burlesque is only
subordinate one, all London is raVing
over her, and the manager has had to
raise her salary to that of a bishop to re-
tain her. Night after night bouquets and
jeWelry are thrown at her feet. Night
after night notes are brought to her dress
room, only to be tossed contemptuously
aside. Invitations pour upon her from
every quarter. They are all refused. No
breath of suspicion has ever been al
lowed to rest upon her name. The flow
ers are not worn, the jewelry is return-
ed. They call her the Queen of Snow, -
yet no one who ever looked upon her
face could doubt that though she nigh
be pure as snow, she was as passionate
and perhaps as mischievous as fire. Her
acting is Indifferent, her dancing more
able for nothing but expression. Her tri-
umph has been entirely the triumph of
beauty. There have been many such IN
these days.
This, this is life, Lottie." she said,
turning from the glass to her companion.
You, to whom 1 have told my story to-
night, have no idea what 1t is to breathe
the fresh air after the STIFFNESS of Mud
castle"
1T must have been bit slow, dear, -
replied Lottie, doing up one of her shoes,
but, still, girls of your position don I
throw 1t up without a very good rea-
son. It's different with me. 1 never was
anybody and / have my living 10 earn
Position? Rubbish. l am being paid
twice the salary my father receives; and
if popularity is fame, he isn't in it with
me. For one who has heard of him, a
hundred know my name. As for my rea-
son, the fact is, 1 could not stand it any
longer"
Were you unhappy, Elsie? The home
you have described to me must have been
very beautiful"
Unhappy. l was miserable To be
penned up in that little narrow ecclesias-
tical world. from which the faintest
breath Of life is kept lest 1t should con-
taminate it, is a living death. You have
lived in London all your life have no
Il Ia hak trda Ia