Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-01-18
THE LAST DANCE.


head doubtfully.
Il don't know how our people will take
TO such u back number ms that, my dear
woman, said he, "for they are dcvilish
particular now, but you may try It ard
see. If you get an honest encore the first
night, will engage you for two weeks on
my own hook. But the Bijou isn't IA char
table institution. you know, and won't
promise anything"
The dancers lips trembcd and for
moment the handsome eyes were dimmcd
with tears.
"Thanls you, Mr.. Rankin; that is all I
can ask.
Then she walked slowly from the half
lighted stage and to The dressing room,
with "a pain which nothing could relieve
Juggling ficrccly at her heart. The man
ager looked thoughtfully after her as he
cut the end off n cigar and turned up his
coat collar again.
Poor girl" said he half aloud "Shc's
has been, no mistake And to think
that three years ago she was the cream of
the lot"
The girl only smiled wan smile as she
got into her plain street dress in the stulGy
little dressing room under the stage, and
the cracked, dusty mirror gave back TO her
unintorcstcd ga2e 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 aS she
had first imagined. Fortunes back had
been early turned upon the unhappy little
woman, and the troubles which had as
sailed her had madc their impress upon
her usually pretty face The eyes were
tired looking now and the cheeks pale and
almost thin. The stage she had just left
brought back wildly her past in this city,
for had she not achieved her greatest tr
umph in this theatcr? Here the whole
house had risen as one great being and
shOwCrCd bouquets, fans and even Jewels
about her golden head. All, yes. that WAS
q night long 10 no remembered especially
by "A hungry little dancer who had so soon
dropped To the level of commonplace in
her profession.
As sAc picked her way toward tho stage
door, along the dark passages and in and
around Ehostlikc pieces of scenery set or
ready to he 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 carncstncss-poor Joe, the shift
or of scenes, big, quiet, even handsome at
times. She wondered dinly what had be-
come Of him. She hoped honestly enough
that life had treated him better than il
had her. And even as shc said these words
to herself he stood before her.
MamicH' he cried inyoluntarly, and
then, remembering himself he added in
confusion, - beg your pardon, Miss Cor
don, IL 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
so. In fact, strange, hot little wave Of
something indcfinablo swept over her
heart and was reflected in her face. She
put out her thin hand, and he closed his
big hrawny one over it,
Joe" She said; dear old joel did
not know you wore here. / am going to
dance tonight---on trial, and after | have
done my turn we will talk over old times
do not think they will want me, do your"
He saw the truth in her eyes as sho
spoke, and sudden rage at the world that
dared not 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 " al
night. ! am lonely nowadays. and | want
you to see me dance tonight and applaud
me- even if the others do not. Will YOU"
"Will II he exclaimed, coming closer
and looking down into her eyes with ten
derness that his fellow workers would have
| been dumbstrucll To see. "Oh, my darl" -
But She was gone before he had time to
finish the sentence. And when he pom
dercd 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. Rcyillc stood with her head
bent, waiting for the decision of the audi
encc. y hrCathlcSs moment passed, and
thon two or three pcrfunctory claps from
different parts of the house, the gallery
principally, and that was all She had
failed! The manager frOwned and cursed
| himself for having engaged card" that
would not draw even one night, but Miss
| Gordon did not see him as she FASTENED to,
her dressing room, blinded by tears and
crushed in spirit as she had never been be-
fore. She did not hear the manager sharp
~ rcprluand Joe for applauding behind
the scenes. In fact, she heard nothing but
tho sobs that shook her own small body,
and once inside her dressing room flung
herself in all her tlnery of tights and fluffy
skirts upon her frank, there to let the
tears she had held back SO long come as
they would
n moment later there came q soft knock
Sutsidc, and she turned quickly that her
head might be in the shadow ere she said
Come in.' The door swung open, and
Joe stepped quickly inside, letting it close
again behind him. Even before she could
see him through the mist of tears in her
blue eyes the dancer knew it was he, for
one trembling word, fun of love and long
ing and comfort, escaped his lips-"M
micr'
And in her heart breaking disappoint
ment when all her courage and hope had
left her the knowledge that poor Joe's
love was as deep and abiding as ever
brought strange happiness to her soul.
He held ont his arms to her, tho big,
plainly dressed shiitcr of scenes, and for
moment only she hesitatcd
II love YOU" he said, more than ever
now! want you and will always want
you, even if they don't viii you refuse
me again"
She stood up, and the pretty cheeks were
bn