The age-herald., 1897-12-12

While I waited the o.her afternoon to see Eugenia Blair-Downing in her hosel apartment there were two young girls also waiting to be admitted They said that they had been waiting a half hour. They had all the enthusiasm and de- spair thai! comes at sixteen. The early winter twilight was making the deaay all the more tedious. Tt will be moon- light when we get home,' one of them said The idea was that they would be compelled to go, Eugenie Blair or no Eugenie Blair. "She has promised to se us," they assured me. "She has wriaten us dear Mttle noIte and we can- not bear the idea of leaving without seeing her"
 They had seen her as Camille cajoling her Armand and had grown hysterieal over her Isabel in East Lynne, but that did not satisfy. They must see her face to face. It ifs something to have two American girls enduring any amount of patience just for the sake of a touch of your hand and a Kindly glance.
 There was the swish of a slken frock, and down the corridor Miss Blair cams, with her vigorous, 1.-the steps. She led Hhe way to her apartments where she and her mother made a pretty picture of domesticity that was in contrast to their Bohemian lives.
 Miss Blalirs mother was seen here as Prudence and Cornelia Carlysle and in a role that suited her admirably in the New Magdalen. She was very intereat- ing and spoke of the stage with all the enthusiasm of girl. She retired from the stage for a number of years, but after awhile the sight of the crowds going to the theatre, the flare of the foothghts, the strains of tine orcheJtrs S brought back the fascination, the love for the old life, and she resumed her ca- reer. She is naturally very fond and proud of her beautiful and talent daughter.
 Eugenie Blair-Downllng is the type of woman whose charm lies not so much in mere personal beauty, but rather in her vivid personality which is as refresh ing as the first glowing days of autumn. Her eyes are brown and luminous, with long, curved lashes. Her hair grows In great quantities from a grac full fore head Her mouth, with its deeply cary ed lips, is very lovely. The sweet warmth of her mood was as individual as her way of speaking.
 "Mr Downing and I are separated, artistically," she said, "but I hope that it will not be very long before we shall be together again. Mir. Downing thought it wise for me to continue my starring tour, and his judgment in the matter has proven correct"
 Of all the roles that she has essayed She likes that of Parthenia in Ingomar, and of the New Magdalen." She has never seen any actress assume a role that she has given the stage, so that her methods are peculiarly her own.
 Miss Blair is an advocate of all broad ening influences for women She believes in woman's rights, but as she cleve?ly said. "These are not mans rights"
 She is South CaroIn1an by birth, but her home is at Benndngs, just out from Washington, D. C., where she and MT. Downing spend the summer days, alternating now and then with jaunts 6n the White Mountain or a sojourn at the sea shore. Their beautiful old home Is called "Edgemoor," and is noted for the hospitality of MT. and Mrs. Downing, who are wont to gather their friends there all of whom declare that to be en-