Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-09-15
HER FINAL DANCE.
The manager ct the theater shook his head

II don't know how our people will take
% such a back number at that, my dear
woman" said he, "for they are devilish par
ticular now, but you may try it and see. If
Tou get an honest encore the first night
will engage you for two weeks on my own
hook, but the Bijou isn't charitable insti-
tuition, You know, and won't promise any
thing"
The dancers lips trmebled, and after .
moment the handsome eyes were dimmed
with tears. But she fought back these signs
Of emotion as she had fought them back
fvery day for the last two years, and an
swered bravely, though with voice out Of
which all hope had long since departed:
'Thank you, Mr.. Rankin; that il all can
.sk,"
Then she walked slowly from the half
lighted stage and to the dressing~room, with
4 pain which nothing could relieve Juggling
6ercely ut her heart. The manager looked
thoughtfully after her, as 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 that
three years age she was the cream OF the lot
But that's the way; some of 'enl has genius
and some talent. The ones with the genius
learn new tricks, when the public has got
enough of the old, the ones with only talent
can't do it, ana so they 60 down. And that's
all she's got-talent. I'm sorry for her, but
l amt the Creator, to give her what wasn't
born in her." With which sage reflection
the manager lit hi' cigar and walked back
to his office.
The girl with talent only smiled wan
smile as she got into her plain street dress
In the stutfy little lressing-ro under the
stage, and the cracked, dusty mirror gave
back to her uninterested gaze the reflection
OF that smile. In her heart of hearts for a
long time there had been the conviction that
perhaps her gift was not as strong a. che
had first imagined. With a pride born Of
necessity she had fought the thought down
day after day; but it would not die, an now,
IN almost so many words, the manaF.r had
told her that her ''day was past" Yet she
was young.
Only three year, ago Mile. Revills, the
petit dancer, had been. hailed by critic and
audience alike a. the daintiest and most
brilliant Of terpsiohoreans seen for many
years; and to-day shs Wa unknown-bee-
Gtng for work! Fortunes back had been
early turned upon the unhappy little: woen-
IN. and the troubles which had assailed her
had made their impress upon her usually
pretty face. The eyes were tired-lookine
now, and the cheeks pale and almost thin.
The stage she had just left brought back
sividly her past in this city. for had she moi
achieved her greatest triumph in this the
ater? Hero the whole house had risen a
one great being and showered bouquets,
tans, and even jewels about her golden head.
All, yes, that was a night long to be remen-
bored especially by hungry little dancer
Who had 20 soon dropped to the level Of
commonplace In her profession.
As she picked her way toward the sta9Es
door, along the dark passages and in and
Aroand ghostlike pieces of scenery set or
ready to be, she remembered, too, the hon.
est, kind-hearted stage hand who had wor-
ahiped the boards she danced upon, and at
whose affection she had smiled, DESPITE its
apparent earnestness. Poor Joe, the shifter
Of scenes-big, quiet, even handsome u
times. She wondered dimly what had be-
some 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.
"Mamie!" he cried, involuntarily, and
then, remembering himself, he added, in
confusion: II beg your pardon, Miss Cor
doA, III didn't mean to-" With his well.
worn cap in hand he bowed his curly head
and stepped aside to let her pass. But on
the impulse of the moment she did not do
10. In fact, strange, hot little wave Of
something indefnatle swept over her heart
and was reflected in her face She put out
her thin hand and he closed his big brawny
one over it.
"Joe:" she said Dear old Joe! did not
know you were here. l am going to dance
to-n!ght-on trial; and after have done my
turn we will talk over old times. I do not
think they will want me, do you?"
He saw the truth in her eyes az she spoke,
and sudden rage at the world that dared
not want her, and always want her-as he
did seized upon him.
If they do turn you down." SAID he BE-
tween his teeth, "they are crazy FOOLS
| will"
Miss Gordon smiled little sadly and
shook her head. "If they do, Joe, you will
10 nothing about it. Good-by until tonight.
am lonely nowadays, and want y<u to see
! me dance tonight and applaud me, even if
the others do cot. Will your"
"Will ~ he exclaimed, coming closer and
looking down into her eyes with a tender
ness that his fellow-workers would have
been dumbsIruck to see. 0, my darl-"
But she was gone before he had time to
finish the sentence. And when he pondered
upon what he had been about to say, in his
rashness and surprise, he was rather glad
that she had left before he compelled her to
refuse him again as she had once years ago.
The orchestra, in gale of melody, had
| ended the dance with melodious crash, and
Mile. Reville stood, with her head bent,
waiting for the decision of the audience. A
| breathelss moment passed, and then-two or
three perfunctory claps from different
parts Of the house, the gallery principally,
and that was all. She had failed! The man.
ager frowned and cursed himself for having
| engaged "card" that would not draw
even one night, but Miss Gordon did not SEQ
him as she fastened to her dressing room,
blinded by tears and crushed in spirit as she
had never been before. She did not hear
the manager sharply reprimand Joe for ap-
plauding behind the scenes. In fact, abe
heard nothing but the sobs that shook her
own small body, and once inside her dress
ingroom flung herself in all her fnery Of
tights and fluffy skirts upon her trunk, there
to let the tears she had held back so long
come as they would.
A moment later there came soft knock
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