Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-08-30
| A PA|R OF BALLET SHOES
a Story ct the Stage

I III ~ - - ' - - ~ =
Really I'm the dullest Of men," said
Edgar Brooke. with the smile of long
suffering, to youthful interviewer
who was trying to pick up q few more
crumbs Of interest at the end Of bis
long talk with the most inimitable
comedian Of the day. Edgar Brooke
glanced abstractedly round his study
and racked his brains for suitable
anecdote. but be couldn't for the life Of
him remember at the minute any of
the antiquated theatrical stories that
every actor makes his own
The youthful ipterviewer's eyes wan,
dered euriously around and fell on a
quaint little pair Of shoes which were
hanging over the oak fireplace not
dainty slippers, spangled and gay, but
just limp memeato Of the ballet, with
Rounded toes, no heels and an old COW
ering of silk, worn and frayed. They
hung against the well, with the little
foes turned in, as # their dancing days
we're over and they We're far too weary
for pirouette or even the first posi-
ton
"A curious souvenir. Mr.. Brooke"
Edgar Brooke smiled, and there was
silence for minute.
The comedian had forgotten the
youthful interviewer. He seemed to
see the little shoes dancing on the wall.
His comfortable room faded out Of
sight. There was the sound OF scrap
ing flddles and the flare of gas. Twea-
ty years had slipped away in hardly as
many secondR ..~-~s~-
1t was behind the scenes Of a country
theateF. The clpse air Of little room
almost stifed Edgar Brooke. He
dressed with the Pantaloon, two aero
bats and the Demon King of the pan
temima.
Their clothes were heaped on a
basket In one corner. The Pantaloon
was making up and the Demon King
was drinking whisky and soda and
reading scraps from The Sporting
Times TO amuse the two aerobats.
Edgar Brooke, hungry eyed. lean and
haggaFd, sat with his aching head be-
tween his hands, His tinaeled harle-
auin suit was loose for his wasted
body, Months of Illness. hard luck
and poverty had taken the heart and
soul out Of him.
He gave a sigh OF thankfuIness when
bis noisy comrades were summoned
70 the stage and he was alone.
HIIeard that Brooke has got the
sackf' said the Pantaloon.
"Yes, poor devilr' answered the De
mon King.
Then there was the quick patter OF
feet on the stairs. the dear was pushed
a little open, and Columbine, In
gauze and smile. peeped into Brookes
dressing room. Although she was only
la they had been solemply engaged
fAs two months.
EDDY. darlihgg' sbe exclaimed. run
nlng into the room and perching her
self on the Pantaloon's basket, The
young man looked up, too wretched to
hide the marks of tears on his face or
to try to control bis unsteady lips.
''It's all up. Kitty" he replied. 'T've
got my notice, dear Run down stairs
you shouldn't come up. One day
they'll catch you"
my own love" said tho Columbine,
jumping OF the basket and kneellng
down beside him, "you don't know
yourself-none of these fools know you.
You're worth more than the whole lott'
"Oh, Kitty. Kittyl can't bear itp'
Broken BY weakness and despair, he
drew Kitty's slender arms around his
neck and, resting bis head on her
shoulder, sobbed aloud.
"You must cheer up, Eddyp' she
whispered.
She persuaded him to stand up,
hunted for his smafl mask and stiff
wand. shook herself together and gave
Q touch to her own complexion before
the glass.
Edgar brooke went down to the
stage with his hand on her shoulder.
The manager Of the company was
standing with his back to the curtain.
"'prry up therel" said he. Have
you got that side bracedf My boy,
your shops wabbling. Lights! 'Ang
II ALI Lightsl Knock I'm off Ring
upi Now, my Dear"
Up went the curtain and on went the
Columbine with a flying bound and a
beamlng smile. Edgar Brooke leaned
Against the wall for second with his
ellnched hand to his throbbing brow.
Then he. too, ran into the glare Of the
stage.
He could see nothing but an endless
SOW Of horizontal, blurred lights that
were dancing between him and the
audience; the house seemed 10 be full
OF fog Columbine tripned toward
him, she took his hand. and they twist
I'd and turned together.
The harlequlnade was short and
bpstling, and at the finish the Haris.