Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-04-03

head like a grand priests. was the
president, Ambrose Thomas, and the
merry, mocking silhouette in the last
row was Cadet, of the Comedie Fran
caise. 1t was great fun for me. Mn,e.
Frimard knew them all very well. She
had been 10 see them so often on her
daughters account.
'.Now and then the prince leaned for
ward from his seat in the official box
and gave me a little confidential smile
with sort OF wink, which meant, 1
cannot be with You in person ON ac-
count of my official position, but am
with you in spirit
Wasn't it nice of him?
AT last, after several other debu-
tantes had appeared. Leona's turn
came. There was moment of silence,
and the master OF ceremonies an
nounced:
Mile. Leona Bourrimel. aged 20
years, appeared last year and the year
before without. successfully did the
wretch have to say that?-'assumes the
role of Blanche in lie Roi s'Amuse.' -
assisted by Nile. Frimard.'
"Ah, NJ. Richard, you don't know
how l felt! You are not mother. My
heart was in my oh, the second
floor is waiting for his candle! Please
hand it to him through the window.
Thanks.
about Leona's scene. / must say
that the management was very mean
about the stage setting. \ table with
a green cloth, two plush chairs-that
was ALL What would they say if we
should come 10 their thcatcr in rags. l
should like TO know?
But, all, how pretty Leona looked
when she came on, with her lowered
gown and her old fashioned cape with
steel clasps. a murmur of ndmira-
tion ran through the theater NJ. Du-
mas twirled his mustache. and NJ
Halevy adjusted his opera glass-both
good signs. As for NJ. Tourcev, he
kept on sleeping. but it seems that this
never interferes with his ability to
criticise--not in the least. When Leona,
as Blanche. confessed her love for the
king, she looked straight Mt Prince
Tapaloff.
"Ah, NJ. Richard, If you had seen and
heard herL She was the living. loving
Blanche. and one could feel the force
of the passion that consumed her. The
jury felt 1t evidently, for they became
intensely absorbed ana excited, the lit
tie dried up man especially. And at his
agel
My daughter went on with her lines,
which described the noble appearance
of the king, his graceful bearing in the
saddle and so forth. and still she kept
her eyes fixed on the prince. She sure
~ could do no less after what he had
done for her-the gown. the cape. the
Jewels and all the rest.
"Of course the lines referred to King
Francis l, but the prince no doubt saw
in them n delicate allusion to himself.
and he smiled in way that showed
he was much gratifed. And indeed
he, too, is tall, handsome gentleman
and a splendid horseman. One might
have fancied that Victor Hugo had
him in mind when he wrote the lines.
"The presidents wife smiled also
Perhaps she was thinking of the pres.
ent ruler of France But all of sud
den some crank cried, Face the audi.
encen
from all-parts of the room.
Yes; face the audiences! Never
mind the fine people in the boxesv
The fools! Just imagine, they
thought that Leona was looking at and
playing at the presidents wife, and So
they We're jealous.
81 rose in my place and said in 4
loud voice, but with great dignity;
But she is not looking at Nine. Ia
Presidente. She does not care that q
snapped my fingers for Nine. In Presi
dente. She is looking at Prince Tapa
lof'
AT this the disturbance increased
In the midst of laughter, yells and hiss
es l turned to the jury and added:
81 should think 1 ought to know.
am her mother
l. Then there was fearful row
Leona could not go on, the jury rctir
ed and presently, by NJ. Thomas or
ders, l was thrust out of doors in com
pany with Nine. Frimard, who. as hei
daughters lines had been thus cut off
protested as angrily as did.
"And that's the way that Leona
through n silly mistake of the audi
ence, has again failed to get the 'prix.
For my part. as soon as saw tho
prince, said. with great dignity:
My daughters career is ruined an
through you If you have the Instinct.
of gentleman. you will- know YOU
fIrIfN 0Vd TNo,.fnt.-,,