The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-06-01
NOTES SUNG IN ANGUISH
HalcyOn Mohr Told ON the Stage
of Her Fiance's Death.
HER SONG WAS FOR CHARITY
She Was a Distinguished Amateur
and, Though Her Heart Was
Breaking, Acted the Part OF Niobe
in the Play of 'Dr. Syntax."
Tears Behind Her Smiles.

Every one knows the story Of Grmaldi,
who made exquisite mirth for a multitude
while his little boy lay dying
The hestrt-wrenching feat Of the JIeat
clown was duplicated in Camden. y. j..
last Saturday nigfa by tender, high bred
girl. Miss Halcyon MoEr, a dEstin gIisbt d
Philadelphia amateur, sang the part of
NiObe in DIR. Syntax" just after being tJId
that the man she loved, the man who had
won the promise OF her hand, was dead
IL was q society affair, organized To aid
a fashionable charity. The Woodbury. FAINT
and Powder Club. an association u anna
tears, had prepsred the entertainment end
had secured the services OF Miss siohr TO
strengthen the east u the opera The
Opera House was crowded 70 the dovrs.
At O'Clock ali was turmoil behind the
scenes. Amateurs are always nervous, and
nearly always late Hardly one of the
performers had finished dressing and max
ing up A messenger boy fought his way
through the hustle
Telegram for Miss MOhr!'he piped, wav
ing aioft yellow envelope.
Telegram for Miss Mohrl' echoed the
scene shutters. Telegram for Miss MohTi''
echoed the performers, until Miss Mohr her
self emerged from her dressing room,
pfoved, hated. powdered. befrilled, sndl-
ing
A Telegram for me- she repeated
What can ii be?'
She took the message, tore it open and
read tt-there were only few words -
and then She read ~ again, and yet again
The boy waited for her 10 sign the receipt,
but she did not notice him. The cariniHe
thread of her lips had frightened and her
fine brOws had taken an upward angie
Comet Are we all ready" said the
stage manage I'm going to ring up the
curtain Miss MUhr. this is a very short
opening chorus Are you ready for your
cue?"
Fer lips moved. and. not hearing what
she said, he bent his head toward her.
Dead! dead" she was whispering.
In another moment all the company knew
what had happened-knew that the sing
er's fianCe had died. She stood there in
the bravery OF her frolicksome part, and
twisted the yellow telegram in her nerve
less fingers, nd the audience on the other
side of the curtain clapped its ha nis i'm
patiently
we must postpone the performance
murmured one Of the bystanders-
NO, mol" exclaimed Miss MOhT, who had
caught the whispered words We cannot
send tie audience away / will play my
part. / will, / will-try-"
And, biting her lips u check the sob that
rosein her throat, she signsled To the stage
manager she was ready In another mo-
ment She curtain had risen
Every one was sighted with the opera
10 was agreed between the acts that the
Paint and Powder Club had never done
better And every one admir- the Niobe
such gayety! Such abandonr were the
comments such rare qualities in an
amateuTr'
And while these things were being said
Halcyon Mohr was reclining in her dress
ing-ruon almost fainting from the excess
of her grief, and longing for the moment
Of her return t. the stage. where the strain
Of Stimulating part would help 20 deaden
the pain at her heart.
When the curtain had been rung down
on the last scene. the stage manager told
the audience under what conditions the
part Of Niobe had been played Then, so
bered and amazed, they went home.