The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-21

the hungry folk in front of me, for 1
soon realized that there's not much diff
ference between children and grown-ups,
when It comes TO telling n story had
often wondered why this amusement
couldn't be done here as well as I'm the
East. where professional story-tellers go
from town 10 town and divert the street.
farers, and | worked in somewhat that
way. quite naturally and with so little
manner, that | wondered at their inter-
est.
IL was tho Holiday Romance" that l
told them; their big eyes followed me
like dogs, and they shouted like infants
when the drop fell.
Nivetre met me at the wings, and
Rugged me. 1T was blessed" she sigh
ed "but wait till | astonish them!' She
had got herself up in a bewilderingly
fetching costume. but It was impossible
TO say just what she had on, for over
her was laid charm and starry beauty
that was so strange as almost TO trou-
ble one, yet 1t drew one, too, Ike a load
stone.
Her presence filed that dlngy stage as
might a goddess 1T was the people
that did 1t, they made me give the best
of myself, that was all, she said, after
ward.
held my breath. and wondered what
was coming. There were so many things
she might have done, yet who but Vi
vette would have dared to be 50 simple
who else could have trusted and touched
an audience like this?
Yet / believe that not until she had
come down the stage. and kissed her
hands 20 the house, had she decided what
| was to happen.
There was a hush like a prayer when
| they saw her, and. after the first rustic,
not a sound for fifteen minutes. You
would not believe me il 1 told you all
| the magic Of that pantOmime. The tears
came 10 my eyes as ] wondered If | had
ever half known her before. 1t was the
simple story, told in the most delicious
gesture, OF a young girl in love, alone In
her boudor.
Her enhancing raptures over the love-
letter hidden in her frock, the ecstacy
Of her reply. and the affection with when
she sealed her note-her reverie with the
Photograph beside the dre-the little
| dances Of JOY with which she hailed the
| hurrving hands Of the clock-the very
| way her hair came down and went uD
! again-her cOquetries with the mirror ana
the Iose-with such trihes as these she
wove a beWtching drama without words.
And then she rchearsed the expected in
terview with a serious grace, and pre-
tended 10 disguise her regard; she be-
came shy and resarved-he might Kiss
her hand, but that was all-and then,
when the bell sounded, she gave nerself
up to her emotion. and flew TO the door
and out, with a happy little laugh that
promised much for the loved one out
| side. An, 1 know how much! for that
votYg man was /, waiting for her there
in the shadow.
There was not n man silent no, nor
a woman either. when she left the stage;
and after the encore, while the orchestra
tried TO drown the tumult she came
down to me like an angel out Of heaven.
How is this for a first night2' she
sang; " are YOU ready for the finale!
"Ah, I'm ready for you" l said, trem-
bling.
Then do you really love me, Robin
| she whispered.
IN show YOU" cried, widlys
But she held me at arms length.
NO. YOU must show them" she said.
Don't be shocked Robin; don't think
1 do not honor it and you. dear; but we
must show them what love is. Authors
write themselves into their books, why
| shouldn't we act 10 for these poor souls?
They will feel #. But no one will know
it is real. and we will be safe. You
must propose TO me, Robin; indeed, you
must do it all over again. Have you for
gottcn?'
1 hesitated.
.Not world" cried for all the mad
| ness Of nv first love for her swept back
TO me. She gave me the cue. and, while
( we were still burning, she rung up the
drop.
II it had been before any other audi
ence L could never have done II. If we
had been alone I never would have been
! keyed up TO the pitch to which those eyes
| inspired me: bat then and there we went
over that day Of DAYS. from the moment
found her at the window 10 the end.
Every word came back 20 me. as I look
Cd into her eyes. We did not act we
lived it again, and the heart Of me grew
young.
Robin" said Vivette after it was all
over. and we had left the darkened hal'
forgive me. II 10 was not right, ana IL
| fl has hurt the memory of that first time.
but now 7 know how much You love me-
and Id like to do it an over again. ~
The Lark
A girl at a certain high school the
other day. remarked with considerable
assurance that. "the bell had rang An
older listener vonturod 10 inquire If she
studied grammar. Tossing her head air.
lv she rejolned: go. l passed in that
| long agol Now I've taken up higher
English"
This reminded her quostioner OF the dis
trict visitor who put the question 10 the
wife 81 an invalid, now convalcscing,
whether he read his Bible. She received
the reply. cheering ass indiyative or ms
progress toward recovery;
20. he's out Of the Bible and into the
newspapers, long ago!'
A good joke on n schoolma'am comes
| from Cumberland Gap. and is told by the
| Middlesborough News.
4 teacher told one Of the boys 10 name
an the Presidents. and when he replied
he couldn't, the teacher said;
"When / was as old as YOU / could name
all tho Presidents in their ORDER
The hoy replied:
There were only a few Presidents
then"
Henpock-Is this the Office Of Quagley's
Quick Cure?
Patent Medicine Man-Yes.
Gimme six bottles FOR my wife,
Tried all other remedies without sue
cess. ch2"