The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-30
A Wrong Righted.


rus girls, who. huddied together in ten
foot room, come out OF their pen and fol-
low him as though he we're a bell sheep
down the winding stairs.
The prima donna gives a dash Of paint
to her cheek and brush of the hare's
foot before throwing herself on the couch.
There is no need for her to hurry-who
ever heard Of prima donna being discov-
cred when the curtain goes up7
Then the comedian with wig and paint
ed face passes slowly along the landing.
and with eyes riveted on the stone steps
goes down the winding stairs. As he
turns the last corner hand is laid on his
shoulder, and he looks up into the pretty
face of girl in gauze.
rs your child better tonight" she
asks as she draws her pink wrapper more
closely about her shapely form. rs there
anything l eau do?'
81 am afraid there is nothing" the
comedian answers. his voice low and sad
MY little girl has stood the fatigue OF
travel bravely, but now she is very. very
sick, and / am afraid l shall have to leave
her here"
Surely. not alone?" the dancer asks.
putting out her hand, which he uncon-
sciously takes in his. Surely you viii
not leave her alone?'
of l remain he answers. and his voice
trenbles as he speaks. Il can only com
fort her by my presence. l cannot pay for
doctor then. nor can she have the little
Injuries she Graves.
The dancer draws her hand from his and
draws from the bodice of her dress sill
ken purse.
Take this she says. as she holds It
out to him. ut is not much. but 1t will
help"
He turns away and leans his head
a 10
'Coa.s of irei" he mutters. Goals
which shall always burnt"
The dancer comes down few steps to
where he stands.
Il want to go home with you tonight"
she whispers. Il want to nurse your lit
tie girl"
He turns and takes her hands in his.
You must not Blanche. You must not
ask it. Think of what the others would
say"
Il care not what they sayi" she cries.
throwing her arms around his neck. Il
once I,,-- the right to go with you. / had
the right until another took my place"
Then the cailboy comes running up the
steps shouting: Your cuei'' So they hur-
~ to the stage below, he in time to enter
with ringing laugh. which is taken up
BY the audience when he tumbles down
the palace steps. only to bound like a bail
TO the footlights. where, with mock bow
to the duke. he sings:
Woman is faithless and man is true.
How do know? Oh, I've proved it so.
And the chorus shouts back:
How does he know? Why. he's proved it sol
Yes he's p-oved-he's proved-he's proved it sol
And with a yhirl and dance he goes
round and round. singing, "Womaa is
faithless.' while he knows that he has not
proved her SC.
Then, heraIded BY cymbals aad beat of
drum, the little dancer comes tripping On
and by her winning ways and pretty face
soon wins the applause of the audience,
and she smiles back at them until they
think that life TO her must be 4 happy
dream While the comedian. who stands
poised on a table. forgets to srimacs al
the people as he watches her until she
makes her exit.
Then he turns with leap and Is the fool
once more
When at last the curtain is rung down
he hurries to his dressing-room, and, dis
carding tie ugly wig. washes the grease
paint from his face and hands, no longer
a fool. but father. whose only thought il
for his child.
As soon as his trunk is packed he goes
downstairs to find the dancer waiting at
the stage door.
May 1 go home with you?" she asks
beseeehinzly.
81 would rather. for your sake, you
would not he answers.
But his voice bellies his words. SO she
puts her arm in his, and together they
pass down the street, only pausing fr a
moment beneath dim lamp that he may
wrap his muller around her neck.
You know what this means, pianche?"
Yes, Ralph"
Then they pass on again.
They reach the cheap hotel near the
railroad station, ascend the narrow
stairs and pass along gloomy hall until
they reach 4 door at the farther end
The comedian turns the knob and enters.
leaving the dancer standing in the docr-
way while he lights a lamp. When the
Pickering fame throws its feeble light
around the dreary room. he hurrfes to
the bed, where a child lies sleeping.
As he stoops TO kiss the burning tenn
pies the child opens her eyes, AMI, put
ting her arms about his neck, Whispers:
Il was dreaming Of mamma, dad"
Then as her eyes rest on the figure in
the doorway a smile of happiness steals
across the wan face. rs it mamma?'
she asks. is it mamma who has CONS
back to me?'
NO, my dear. She is some enc who
loved dad when he was a better man,
and she has come TO nurse you and help
make you well again.
He turns away as the dancer stops to
kiss the chiIds feverish cheek and brush
the golden hair from the burning fore
head But he cannot help perceive the
start she gives at seeing the child's re-
semblance to its dead mother
As the dancer takes of her heavy cloak
the comedian goes to the bed, and, wrap
ping the child in a blanket, seats himself
in q rocking chair and tries to lull the
little one to sleep by singing lullaby
The dancer busies herself about the
room, smoothing the pillows and hanging
up the child's clothing, stopping now and
then to smile on him. And when every
thing is put away she pushes stool to
his feet and seats herself by his side, pre-
pared to share his vigil.
Hour after hour they sit there, not a
sound breaking the. stiffness of night but
the low lullaby. Then the song dies
away. A cry rings through the room as
the comedian springs to his feet and with
trembling hands tears the blanket from
the face of the child. But the eyes are
closed-the hands are cold-the child is
dead.
Next morning in the churchyard they
bury her. When the dull thud from the
sod is echoed back as it strikes the coffin
lid. the father turns away and hurries to
the station to catch the western train. He
must laugh tonight and make others
laugh, for he is an actor, playing one
night stands. But he is no longer alone.
The wrong he has done the woman beside
him is forgiven, and she has promised to
be what she would have been years before
but for the treachery of another-his wife.
Chicago American.
A Smart Cat Gets Letter.
From the Buffalo Enquirsr.)