The Delawarean., 1900-08-29
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/; TIE Would Be STAR.
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out his watch accusingly and giving
the offender look as severe as his
speech. I'VE couldn't properly prac-
tice this step with one girl out"
81 was unavoidably Detained stam-
mered the young woman
"The ever ready excuse" said the
stage manager, growing angry. Don't
waste any more time Get in your
place. Ready
zone and two and three and-AIiss
Tremaine. you're not doing this step
right ut all. What's the matter with you
today. Begin over again. All together
noww
The girl who was the object Of the
managers ire may have merited some
of the reproof, for certainly her
thoughts We're not upon acquiring the
step of the English chappies, whose
role the II women in line across the
stage We're to assume. To and fro
aud in intricate figures across the
stage, 50 bare and dreary without
scenery, moved the young women, keep
ing step with the drill master, whose
contortions they painfully endeavored
to reproduce.
''Its those long skirts" he declared,
his keen eye sweeping the line of
breathless young women. 81 told you
yesterday not to wear those skirts.
won't speak about it again"
''I'll have to wear it, Sir" said one
young woman timidly.
''Nhy?' asked the angry manager
Haven't I said you shouldn't"
"But it's all I've got" said the girl
with a suspicion of a sob in her voice.
"Pn it up, then" said the manager
Snow, 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 lending lady. who had been going
through kind of dumbbell perform
ance with prompter at one side, came
forward and sang with such fervor
and effect to an imaginary audience in
the seats that even the musical direct
or cried "Goodr' and added his bravos
to the rest
Grace Tremaine 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,
reverberating voices changing the
scene from pantomime.
The girl darted a parting look of
scorn at the stage manager, who sat
before a 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 l will stand
his abuse even to become a star. It's
too dreadful. | will be later than this
tomorrow. l will never come again"
"He didn't know what kept me late"
she said, still talking to herself and re-
ferring to the stage manager as she
went out on the street-"that | had
that check cashed. Well he'll scold
somebody else now.'
She took from her pocket a small
white envelope bearing the postmark
of 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, a 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. II shan't
need this light housekeeping outfit any
longer'-said with disgust-"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 small trunk from the
closet and started to pack her clothes.
"It's quick work. she said, with
bitter little laugh. 81 haven't so many
Of them as | had when | came to the
city six months ago. Where's my
watch? 1t was pawned, and there are
other articles in the same place that I
shall never call for. But it 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 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 career, to make name for your
self. If the path is too thorny and you are tired
OF the great, selfish city, who follows this
letter will tell you how are waiting for you
to 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.
Il am coming down." said the girl.
'And you will come back to the old
life, Gracie?" said a big sunburned
young man 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
young country merchant had gained
nil.