Evening star., 1897-03-06
THEATRICAL COS P

One has but to talk to Mrs. Leslie Carter
very few minutes to discover that there
never existed any one more thoroughly In
earnest or one more honestly devoted to her
art. AS she sat in her pretty reception
room at the hotel surrounded by those
numerous evidences of refined femininity
that the real woman contrives to carry
with her even into hotel life, no one could
doubt that the determination that had
evolved a genuine artistic swan from The
Ugly Duckling'' of 1891 her first stage ex-
rerience, would carry her still higher up
the ladder Of histrionic fame. "Oh but l
love Maryland" she said enthusiastically,
when questioned regarding the role in
which she has shown that 1t is no society
amateur who longer Graves the indulgence
of audiences.
When I am on the stage 1 forget the
lights, the people, everything, but that
am Maryland Calvert Her troubles are
my very own, and though Coquelin de-
clares against real emotion on the stage,
just couldn't act if didn't shed real tears
at moments when they are natural Why.
every night cry all my makeup off, and
moreover, 1 don't care how 1 look, even
though my face gets horribly streaked by
the operation. and, you know, when a wo-
man forgets her looks she has really begun
to feel deeply" Here Mrs Carter broke
into the most infectious rippling laughter
In which her visitor was bound to Join
whether the speech that preceded it war
ranted 1t or not
1t is a way of Mrs. Carter's apparentlv
to magnetic those about her. The deter
mination that conquered obstacles in Ter
profession, allied to this charm of manner
opens field for her which will give her
opportunities of which she will undoubted
ly avail herself to her future greater sue
cess. In pale blue silk neglige, clouded
and draped with chiffon, she looked even
more the girl than she does ON the stage.
Her glorious Titan hair in two braids and
| a perfect aureole of fuffiness over her
mysterious eyes, one moment mirthful the
next pathetic. made her a picture that the
long cheval glass reflected to the writer's
infinite satisfaction.
Speaking of her hair to Mrs. Carter. she
modestly turned the subject to another one
| OF equal feminine interest, her little SON.
HE has hair just the color of mine, but he
has black eyes, while mine are green" and
she produced dfamond-surrounded minfa-
ture OF lovely little lad. whose juvenile
| beauty was enough to make any mothe,
wax enthusiastic. Enthusiasm, however.
Is a characteristic Of Mrs. Carter To hear
ner tax OF her enjoyment of the role OF
Just as fond Of the part now as the very
first time 1t was produced. 1t never pals
| on me yet. and here the eyes were lust a
| little DIT w1stfu. Il don't feel that I am
| quite all that the part demands"
| How about the famous swing in the
| belfry?" 'Ae
! That comes in as naturally as any othe,
| question Of the play. My great desire Is
| only to reach that bell in time and some.
| times, feeling as I know Maryland would
| feel, give happy little laugh even when
l swing into space, because l am SO rIad
] have accomplished my purpose WIN. 4
there were a hundred steps, 1 could mouni
them as easily as I do the thirty-eight: I'M
after 1t is all over l am not good for anv.
| thing. Come behind the scenes and Won car
| Judge for yourself what that swing means
IT looks ever SO much more dangerous there
than from the front. Sometimes when
hear creak in the rafters above me
get frightened, but as rule l forget every
thing until 1t is time for me to respond :,
the applause. My mother says l fairly rae,
to the footlights in my easerness for thi,
recognition Of my work, and fear do 70,
love applause. and though some of m,
fellow actors declare that they do not car,
whether they receive any or aot, an
free to confess like it and would be quit,
overwhelmed with disappointment were
rot to receive It,"
1t is strange, but nothing will induce Mrs
Carter to allow an understudy to do tht
swing. fatiguing as 1t Is. and moreover