The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-08-30
BLANCHE LILAS
Her Adorer Met Her In After
Years, an Invalid Old Woman,
and Secured For Her a
Bed In a Hospital.
BY FRANCOIS COPPEE.

rent was DelHS performed as q curtain
raiser, and charming Sophie Cherubin,
who played the part of Marienette. was
still upon the stage when Fabrcc-you
know Fabrec, the deputy with the long
blond beard, who. in spite of his 40 years.
looks younger than many men of 3O-ap-
pcared at the stage entrance. He never,
YOU will remember, fails to be present Mt
every first performance of new piece,
and one expected to see it known that in
a mild way he admired la belle Sophie.
On reaching Cherubu's dressing room
Fabroc opened the door, but found it de-
sorted, much to his disappointment. As
he was about to retire old Constance, the
dresser of the Odcon, appeared from be-
hind the screen.
If monsieur would like to wait. he
will please be seated. Madame is inst
finishing the act and will be here in
moment"
Having expressed a wish to remain.
Fabrcc dropped into luxurious fautcuil
and, crossing one leg over the other sat
tapping the toe of his patent leather
boots with the end of his cane. While he
was lost in thought the old woman went
to and fro arranging the articles on the
toilet table.
After all. thought Fahrcc. what mean.
iug was there in his visits to Sophie
Cheuhin. these calls upon her behind
the scenes? They were not prompted bv
love, not even the whim Of Il passing fam
cy. The Chcrubin was simply Jolly
companion IIc recalled conversation
they had one day while lie was seated
smoking a fragrant cigar. Sophie had
turned to him and said:
Listen to me. mon cher Fabrce. You
are a good looking fellow
You are amiablc," interrupted Fabrec
pat.ins her little hand.
simply truthful. | like you, but we
must understand each other ! owe 40
o15.0OO francs-too much money, mon
ami to waste time in thinking about test
ing the merit and strength of your aifec-
ton"
Wise little woman" replied Fabrcc
watching the smoke curl above his head
You are welcome here whenever YOU
wish to come and have 4 chat with me-
but remember we can never be anything
but good comrades.'
Frankly, Sophie had good reason to de-
liver the aforesaid advice, for Fahrec
WIS constant visitor and Cherubin
pretty woman.
While indulging in various thoughts
Fahrec looked carclcssly at the dresser,
and his revcric was interrupted abruptly
low catching the reflection in the glass Of
the wjthcrcd face of he aged woman
"What a ruinn' he thought. How m
commonly ugly. dry as an old stick, with
cred as an apple in winter, Who would
think She had ever been young?' Poor
old Constance Her hair was gray, her
eyes were dead and eNprcssionlcss, while
hor mouth was sunkcn in for the want Of
teeth. Fabrac. whose heart was kind,
looked regretfully at the poor old wom-
an, who was apparently on the brink of
the grave. Gently she toNhcd the lace,
flowers and varied articles all the luXu-
RES and perfume of the dainty toilet ta-
Die of the actress, and seemed to have for
gotten the presence Of the visitor
Suddenly the door was thrown open,
and Sophie Cherubn appeared. a charm
ing vision. in her pretty costume. She
was rs fresh rs a bouquet of roses, rad-
ant in youth, health and cfTrontcry.
"Ah, Fabrec" she said joyfully, you
are most welcome this evening"
i congratulate myself to be so fortu-
nate"
We are to be called for shorty-I
mean myself and the company-as we
are to 20 to the Gaite, where we have
promised to play for benefit Mean
while, while waiting for the time to start,
We can enjoy a chat"
"llow kindr' responded Fabrcc, anus
cd
Constance" continued his listener,
get my wraps ready. Now sit down,
tHIrec, and be entertaining"
What can | say?"
'Anythng you think of"
The old woman had retired behind the
screen, and the pair conversed freely.
Sophie, as was her custom, tcased the
handsome deputy about the gallantries
attributed to him by the members of the
company in their grecDroom gossip.
Come, Fahrcc be frank for once and
yell me about that affair with the lead
lns lady of the Nouveautcs."
You flattcr me, ma belle; | have
nothing to tell"
DO You expect me to believe you"
"Ccrtainy."
We'll, do not so speak out"
fabrcc smiled at her persistence, but
remained silent. Like an honest man,
he loved women for themselves and not
'''u MS vanity Dy lnuulSlHS OUTFITS
with description of his experience or
their folly
10 all Sophes questions Fabrec re-
phed only by jcsts which told nothing.
ana at length she grew irritatcd at his
reserve. being curious for piquant re-
cal
We'll, mon ange," replied Fabrec
Hughingly, "since you are so anxious to
ootain information | will tell you about
one story in my life-my first love-"
II was for an actress, of courseW
Yes; but | must tell you that the
scene Of action was not the Odcan thea
"f' Moreover, the heroine was not
societaire of the Comedie Franchise. ]
was 70 at the time and timid and retir-
Non" exclaimed the little actress,
"ughng heartily
! was not fortunate in knowing you
AT lhe tins and must therefore be ex'
euScd, ma belle Cheruhin."
oh. 20 on interrupted his listener
IN" evening attended the first per-
'rhlance Of novelty al the little Thea
re des Gobclins. 1t was La Berline de
hnl'sle' that was being played. Well,
len Violently in low" with the leading