The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-09-18
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maine" said the stage manager, taking
out his watch accusngly ard giving
the offender n look as severe as hi
speech. I'VE couldn't properly Prac
tice this step with one girl out"
Il was unayodably detained" STAN
mered the young woman.
"The ever ready excuse" said the
stage manager, growing angry. Don
waste any more time Get in YOU
place. Ready"
cone and two and three and-Misi
Trcmaine, you're not doing this steI
right at all What's the matter with yoI
today. Begin over again. All together
now"
The girl who was the object Of the
managers me may have meritcd some
Of the rcproof, for certainly hel
thoughts were not upon acquiring the
step of the English chappies, Whose
role the II women i'm line across th'
stage were 10 assume. To and fro
and IN intricate figures across the
stage. so bare and dreary without
scenery, moved the young women, keep
Ing step with the drill master. Whose
contortlons they painfully endcayoreo
10 reproduce.
ITS those long skirts" he declared
his keen eye sweeping the line OF
GREATNESS young women Il told you
yesterday not to wear those skirts.
won't speak about IT again
"Ill have TO wear il, sir" said one
young woman timidly.
Why asked the angry manager
Haven't / said you shouldn'tW
"But IT'S all I've GOT said the girl
with a suspicion Of a sob in her voice
PIN it up. then" said the manager
"Now. then. try again. Come IN from
the right. one
"That will do You've got TO do bet
ter tomorrow"
The young woman went back with
the chorus sitting on the benches, and
the leading lady who had been going
through kind of dumbbcll perform
ance with a prompter at one side, came
forward and sang with such feryor
and effect to an imaginary audience In
the seats that even the musical direct
or cried "Goodw and added his braves
TO the rest.
Grace Trcmaine slipped unobserved
through the side door Of the stage and
passed out through the boxes into the
long aisle. The theater was dark and
gloomy, the empty seats covered with
canvas. The figures on the stage look
ed weird and fantastic, the hollow,
reterbcrating voices changing the
scene from paptomime.
The girl darted a parting look Of
scorn at the stage manager, who sat
before n small table. and between puffs
at his cigar joined the musical director
in angry shouts at the bewildered
chorus.
"The brute" she said under her
breath. Does he think | viii stand
his abuse even to become a star. It's
too dreadful. will be later than this
tomorrow. | will never come again
ole didn't know what kept me late"
she said, still talking to herself and re
ferrlng to the stage manager as she
went out on the street-"that I had
that check cashed. Well, he'll scold
somebody else now"
She took from her pocket n small
white envelope bearing the postmark
fof a distant country town. For sec
ond time she read the letter. Hell
come at Z; it is 4 now"
Half an hour later she was In her
room, hall bedroom on the third floor
Il am glad for once it Is on the alley"
said the girl, tossing an empty lunch
box out of the open window. Il shan't
need this light housekeeping outfit any
longer said with dsgust-"I am
going TO live now on something more
than bread and cheese and weak tea.
But maybe ought to leave the kero'
sene stove for the next poor shut In
who will live here after me-"
She dragged a small trunk from the
closet and started to pack her clothes.
ITS quick work." she said, with a
bitter l.t;.e laugh. Il haven't so many
Of them as l had when l came to the
city six months ago. Where's my
watch? 1t was pawned, and there are
other articles In the same place that
shall never call for. But 1t doesn't
matter now. I'm going home"
When the trunk was packed the girl
made an attractive toilette, for the
cloth street dress was well brushed and
neat and the sailor hat was new. 1t
cost the girl a few dinners. She sat
down on the side Of the bed and, for
the third time drew the letter from her
pocket.
Dearest Daughter-You have had your way.
You wanted a career, to make name for your
self. II the path is too thomy and you are tired
Of the great selfish city, one who follows this
letter will tell you how we are waiting for you
10 come home. FATHER AND MOTHER.
There's a gentleman down stairs to
see you, Miss Tremaine" said the
maid. pushing open the door which
stood partly ajar
81 am coming down." said the girl.
"And you will csme back to the old
life, Graciep said n big, sunburned
young man a few minutes later, hold
ing the girls small hand in his big
brown one You will never want to
leave us againY
81 will never leave you again" said
the girl.
The stage had lost possible star and
a young country merchant had gained
a wife.-ChicagO Tribune.