The Van Buren press., 1897-01-23

W s, SIT; its my little glfl-the sec
ond one. She has had typhoid fever. y
"Who?" exclaimed a voice near US
who has had typhoid feyer?'
l looked at the person who had so alb
ruptly joined in the conversation, and
recognized Floriac. Planted before the
door through which he was to make
his entrance, the amiable young lead
ing man frightened with an effort the
buckle of the pearl-gray breeehesr
which constituted, to his mind, one OF
the most important features of his
role.
Il was speaking of my daughter.
Roseyal replied "she has been very sick
She's much better now, but the doctor
says he must be very careful. \ re-
lapse would be serious"
"Assuredly,s replied floriac, with a
judicial air. you must be very care
full. Then by Joye.' he cried, sud
! denly, where's my Nhip?"
The prompter trembled. "What!
hasn't Lueien given it to your
you can see for yourself returned
the furious actor: and, turning TO me;
NO whip, and it's my time on All.
what theater this is, sir-what a the
ater!"
The unfortunate young leading man
had not time to express his indignation
| Roseval, who at the first word had flown
down the corridor, now returned with r
magnificent whip. Floriac seized it,
flung open the two wings of the door
by which he was to enter, and, chang
ing his expression with astonishing
swiftness, said, with an ironic and jay
GUS accent that still rings in my ear:
81 have not kept you waiting, count
esp"
That was all heard. Roseyal gently
closed the door that Floriae had left
open behind him, and was alone again
with the old prompter.
"You have to keep an eye on every
thing" | remarked.
"Yes, on everything" replied Rose
val. This one is not ready, that one is
lounging in the greenroom and misses
his entrance, a third mistakes his cue
and goes on too soon--to say nothing
OF looking out for the properties anti
everything else. Oh, l assure you,
have plenty to do. just ask the man
ager. He had a great time replacing
me the other day.
you had holday?"
"a holiday" repeated the oldprompt-
er with II sad smile. Il don't have hol-
days. No, it was the day when my
little one was so sick. l was alone with
her. Her oldest sister, who is an ap.
prentice, had not yet come back from
her work. Well, l stayed there. sent
word that had sprained my ankle. The
doctor, good fellow, helped me out,
and it was all right. Otherwise"
you think the real reason would not
have been accepted as an excuse for
your absenee?"
Gracious, no. The manager does
rot want excuses. The performances
have to go on. Fortunately, the next
day my daughter was better; other
wise, | would have had to choose be-
tween her and my place. And need
my place"
"l1ow old is your older daughterT
| asked.
''She is II, the second is u, and my
youngest is a boy of ten. He is the
head of his class. Pretty good for
little fellow of his age, Ell? And he
recltes his pieces very prettily."
Then his career is cut out for him.
You will make an actor of him"
mo, no, neyer!" Roseval replied, with
a shake of his head. Anything but an
actor"
"Why not, if he has natural ability?"
but | had natural ability myself,
sir"
could not repress a smile
"rhat astonishes you, eh?' the
prompter said, bitterly. at is true
nevertheless. | took the second prize
in tragedy at the Conservatoire, and
everybody said | deserved the first.
!, who am speaking to you now, sir
have ,layed with Rachel"
with Rachel"
Not at the Theater Francois, but in
q drawing-room before the highest So
clety. Rachel needed some one to act
a scene with her, and naturally she
thought of me. can hear her still in
Horace here Roseval hurried off
&c corner where stood kind of lit
tie two-wheeled chariot. Selling the
pole, he pushed it vigorously before
him to the other end of the corridor
and back. 1T is Floriac's carriage"
he explained, simply.
But" said |, 'he came on horse
back"
"Nes, on account of his whip. Did
you notice how he carried his whip
He would not have played the role but
for that, and had two of his phrases
changed TO explain that a carriage
awaits him at the park gates. The car
riage is indispensable, for he has to
carry off the countess in it, and it must
break down presently when they are
surprised by the storm. But was in
terrupted. What was | saying?"
You were telling me of your success
in tragedy"
"oh, yes. played tragedy in those
days. But as l could not get on ut the
Theatre Francois and was offered a
fairly good engagement at the Odeou.
| devoted myself to drama. have ere
ated some very important roles witt,
great success. 1t was success thar
killed me. After having played Fonte.
hoy in Les Forcnts' more than 30 time.
in Paris, had to play il everywhere in
the provinces. twas very unfortunate
When YOU are made too much OF ia
the provinces you stay there, and near.
while some one takes your place here
And then time passes, and YOU marry