Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-11-09
THE LAST DANCE.

to such a back number as that, my dear
woman" said he, "for they are devilish
particular now, but you may try it ard
see If you get an honest encore the first
night, l will engage you for two weeks on
my own hook. But the Bijou isn't char
liable institution, you know, and l won't
promise anything"
The dancers lips trembled and for u
moment the handsome eyes Were dimmed
with tears.
THANK you, Mr.. Rankin that is all l
can ask"
Then she walked slowly from the half
lighted stage and to the dressing room,
with a pain which nothing could relieve
Juggling fercely at her heart. The man
ager looked thoughtfully after her rs he
cut the end off cigar and turned up his
coat collar again.
Poor girl'' said he half aloud "She's
has been, no mistake. And to think
chat three years ago she was the cream of
the lott
The girl only smiled a wan smile as she
got into her plain street dress in the stutfy
little dressing room under the stage, and
the cracked, dusty mirror gave back to her
unnterested gaze the reflection of that
smile. In her heart of hearts for long
time there had been the conviction that
perhaps her gift was not as strong rs she
had first imagined Fortunes back had
been early turned upon the unhappy little
woman, and the troubles which had as
sailed her had made their impress upon
her usually pretty face. The eyes were
tired looking now and the checks pale and
almost thin. The stage she had just left
haoE 1+ixi " bnr i,,t ,,;tr
for had she not achieved her greatest tri,
umph in this theater? Here the whole
house had risen as one great being and
showered bouquets, fans and even jewels
about her golden head. All, yes, that was
night long to DO remembered, especially
by n hungry little dancer who had so soon
dropped to the level OF commonplace in
her profession.
AS she picked her way toward the stage
door, along the dark passages and in and
around ghostlike pieces of scenery set or
ready to be she remembered, too, the hon
est, kind hearted stage hand who had wor
SHIPPED the boards she danced upon and at
whose affection she had smiled, despite its
apparent earnestness-poor Joe, the shift
er of scenes, big, quiet, even handsome at
times. She wondered dimly what had be-
come of him. She hoped honestly enough
that life had treated him better than it
had her And even as she said these words
to herself he stood before her
"Mamien' he cried involuntarily and
then, remembering himself, he added in
confusion, Il beg your pardon, Miss Cor
don. II didn t mean to. With his well
worn cap in hand he bowed his curly head
aud stepped aside to let her pass But on
the impulse Of the moment She did not do
so In fact, strange, hot little wave Of
something indednahlo swept over her
heart and was reflected in her face. She
put out her thin hand, and be closed his
big rrawnv one over it.
Joe, " she said; dear old joe did
not know yuu werc here. ana going to
dance fonight-on trial, and after have
done nav turn we will talk over old times.
do not think they will want me. do your"
He saw the truth in her eyes u. she
spoke. aud Il sudden rage Attic world that
dared not want her. as he did, seized upon