The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-24

to entering the theater. My aunt ex-
planned them to her in Dutch. They spoke
quickly and for a long time. My god
father and M. H had meanwhile re-
tired to the other end of the parlor and
were busy talking in low voice.
l was alone, standing at the other ex-
tremity of the spacious salon, and the
fear of the unknown" filled my mind
with apprehension. What did the future
have in store for me? Dreams of happi-
ness were dancing before my eyes, and the
gay laughter of my younger sisters in the
next room caused my heart to sob. The
harsh tones of the Dutch language were
grating to my ears. while the mysterious
voices of the two men filled my heart with
anxiety. l found myself very unhappy
and began to cry The four witnesses of
this scene al once, approached me.
why are you crying?" said my mother
gently taking my head in her hands and
kissing my hair. Are you not satisfied
to be an actress?'
II want to be a num-, said !, again burst
ing into tears.
You are stupid" said my aunt, shrug-
ging her shoulders
THE girls crazy" added my godfather
Now, go and dress" said mamma, land
do not cry so much"
1 pressed her to my heart with all my
strength. l could not speak. but she was
caressing me. Then l left the parlor.
They prepared the card table for whist
and waited for the expected guests. My
sister Jane was playing with my sister
Regina. They were trying to see who
could fan the hardest without crying
They detained me and wanted me to be
the judge and give the prize. A quarter
of an hour afterward had forgotten my
sorrow and had no other thought but to
look pretty, so as to madden my god
father, who always found me plain. The
same evening, at dinner after having
drunk my mothers health, they toasted
my future triumphs, and the old but dash
ing secretary of state said to me. patting
my cheek You will thank me some
day, little one
Poor mani May his bones rest in peace.
The next day | was introduced to NJ de
Girardin. who declared he found me
charming, and that 1 resembled Rachel.
He promised to interest himself in me at
once.
He kept his word Two days later nv
mother received note telling her to bring
me to the Conservatoire on an appointed
day. The dressmaker was Immediately
summond and received the order to make
me a black silk gown for the occasion.
Then the hair-dresser on the great day,
pulled my hair as much as possible to put
it up in curls and puffs. l thought
never had looked such a fright. Mamma
thought so. too, but my godfather declared
that at last l looked like a young lady
ana not, as usual, like mad dog.
My dress was short enough to show my
embroidered "bloomers," and my thin
arms were lost in wide sleeves meant TO
hide their lack of grace. Ny long neck
was adorned with a row OF coral beads
They had powdered her face SO literally
that my lashes, my eyebrows and my ears
were absolutely white.
| looked hideous, and when l was intro
e.. A4tN in IL
pretty girls, all pink and white all older
than I (being singing pupils. he shrugged
his shoulders and muttered: Surely
Girardin is crazy' Then he turned his
back on me.
My governess made a sign that the re-
cepuon had come to a close and we left
The usher Of the class wrote my name and
address and informed Mile. de Brahander
that my entrance examination would take
place in zen days.
what shall study. sr?"
What you like" said he.
And he passed on to the next pupil.
on returning home told my
all that had happened. There
was a lively discussion as to what l ought
to learn for the examination. My mother |
who scarcely spoke French. did not even
try to make suggestion but my young
music teacher, whose father was a cele-
brateu SINGER anu VINO was ulhlhB with US
declared that l ought to learn verses
What verses? They discussed IL at
great length while playing whist. And
my godfather who played every evening !
alternately at my aunts and al my
mothers decided that l must learn a ia |
bic. Everybody protested
"A fable? How stupid. A fable at the |
theateri"
In an abrupt and peremptory tone he |
declared that he had heard Mile Rachel |
rccite at the Comedie Franchise the fable
Of Tho Two Pigeons"
There, learn it, little one, said he. y !