Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-26

dance. Ia her greatest joy she had
ever found fullest expression in dane
ing 10 her own reflections before the
long mirror IN her boudoir a hundred
times her darling had been lulled to
sleep. eased of her pain by the dancing
of her pretty Mumsie,'' once. with her
husband, she had seen famous actress
"A woman chaste as herself-dance so
gracefully, yet with an abandon SO
perfect as to captivate an audience ac-
custumed to exhibitions from which
she had turned in loathng-to his an
noyauce. since his taste grew yearly
less refined. Even then. The pity of
it," she had sighed. And now much
even then was implied that she should
say, turning to him;
That | could do. / am certain"
May you never need" he had ans
swered fervently. For he loved ner
and was proud of her, though his paths
in life We're devious, though he would
not follow her. 1t all came back to
her vividly-the gay scene. the eager
faces. the murmur OF delight, the APP
plause that rose again and again. and
could not be stayed. Her heart beat
fast; yes. she would dance. 1t might
cost her the few friends she still pos
sessed. but as long as she helped her
self she could maintain her pride.
Next day began a tiresome round Of
interviews with impatient. incredulous
or impertinent managers. with a heart
growing daily heavier and n brain
sharpened almost to ViciousneSs. At
last an impreSsario. touched by her
grace and the expression of brave des-
pair in her hungry eyes. granted her
a trial, fixing an hour at the theatre on
the following day in the early forenoon.
Amid a concourSe of women. some
sympathetic. some hraZenly inquisitive,
all so different from herself that she
scarce felt they We're her sisters. she
made her first essay. How unreal it
seemed; a dream. she kept telling her
self. a dream from which she would
wallen in a moment.
She kept her glance straight before
her. trying to shut out the crudity of
her surroundings. The sets ali
awry. the glimpses of busy carpenters
and scene shifter. the flashily dressed
men ard women waiting for rehearsal
and familariZing in a way that gave
her a mental nausea a row of raw
SIllS Ill SOlltu OdtlClllS SINUS ana llt'SH-
ings. their upper halves clothed in or
binary bodices. went awkwardly
through their matutnal drill. The
odor of dust and oil and paint began
to cverpower her, and She was on the
verge of losing her self-possession
when the kind voice of the manager,
| close beside her. said:
Your turn. Madame-wll YOU tell
me what music you desire?" The
orchestra. composed of one violin on
| the stage began the swinging accom-
| paniment of La Paloma. and at the
end. and while the blood beat and
surged in deafening throbs in her
heavy head. again she heard the voice
of the manager, seemingly a great dis
lance off:
| Accept my compliments. Madame
l shall he glad to offer you salary Of
ten pounds a week. l am sure you will
have a success" TN success fou." he
said, turning to the orchestra, who
gracefully waved his fiddle. bowed
low and replied Sans doute." Poor
woman, she looked into their eyes to
see if they were mocking her: then,
convinced of their good faith she mus
| teTcu all DeT StTtIlStn, anu WIN the
strange surging still in her ears.
smiled, said II thank YOU" turned
quickly and left the theatre. How she
got home was always a mystery to her.
Martha heard faint pull at the bell.
FASTENED to the door, and found her
mistress pale as death. but with her
eyes wide open and a set smile on her
| lips. She put her to bed, held her
quivering body till by degrees the tor
tured soul began to still itself and the
overwrOught brain found relief in such
healing tears as had not come before
in all those strained days of trial.
And now there was practicing and
preparation of costumes. then the first
appearance and the many succeeding.
all justifying the acumen of her friend
the impressario. Gradually all press
ing need. the Indebtedness. the grind
ing care disappeared. and she could
have been comparatively happy.
All day. save for the morning hour
Of rehearsal. she kept Maizie beside