Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-28

NJ. Delisle.
But not to me-" sighed Nine. de
Miramoy.
-Can you come to the theater to-
morrow at two?"
ayes, indeed. Oh. the thought Of
seeing all that have loved so mueh!"
"Good-by, then, until tomorrow"
Il am your servant, as always said
the little old woman, with low bow,
as she accompanied the manager TO
the stair; and she stood there looking
after him for long. long time. But
her emotion made her forget that
the house was still asleep and that it
was not yet eight o'clock. for she
slammed the door noisily after her,
and, stretching herself on the sofa,
began to hum loye-song. Then she
sighed. Thank God, there is still
some good in life"
They were exciting days that pre-
ceded the great night. Under the in
fiuence of her jealous emotion Nine.
de Miramoy seemed TO be no more
than 30 She fioated as IL in a
dream, and. calling up all the warmth
and youth there was in her heart, she
was not idle a minute. Visits, re-
hearsals, nothing tired her. she had
insisted that large and striking post
ers. bearing her name in flaming let
tiers. should be displayed in her street
and in her room: there she reeited
her lines over and over again before
the mirror, until she obtained the de-
sired effect. studying her poses and
expressions, scolding, even striking
herself. or approving, smiling amiaoiy
at herself with eyes and lips
! The longed-for evening arrived. The
little ola woman seemed Ike one
awakening from long sleep as she
entered her brightly lighted dressing
room. with its mirrors all about the
walls. Nine. de Miramoy ran from
on. armchair 10 another, trying them
all.
Suddenly she stopped still in the
\ center OF the room.
"why, have forgotten to eat my
dinnerl But then have my TASK OF
port"
Then, hearing the thousand noises
OF the theater, she went out, thread
ed her way through the throng OF
costumed personages who stood
about in groups or wandered aione'
mumbling their parts; passed open
doorwavs where men and women
chatted as they dressed; avoided the
machinists. who were manipulating
tangled mass of pulleys and scenery
In a bewildering confusion of orders
calls, cries, laughter and mufiied cat
ter; and, more and more intoxicated
found her way TO the front OF the
immense stage and looked through
the peep-hole at the audience.
Under the lights moved a sea OF
blonde boards and bald pates. shining
shirt-fronts and barred shoulders I'M
willingly yelled behind a waving
cloud OF soft feathers. Scarcely ia
miliar face among them, and how
ehanged,-only the merert vestiges
OF the old days.
Mime. de Miramoy. feeling sudden
chill al her heart, hurried back 10
her dressing-room. Passively she LEI
herself be dressed and made ready
for her part
~Why Is il all so changed, and so
ouickly?" she wondered.
But al last she stood arrayed in all
the glory Of her peplum. looking as
Young as in her palmiest days. When
she stood before the glass, she could
scarcely believe her eyes. She stepped
hack and then went close up TO the
mirror. which seemed TO have ae-
ouired magical properties; she smiled.
she showed her teeth, she examined
herself closely. Heavensi Was II pos
sibie9 was she dreaming2 No. She
.hixers like a wet little bird in
raw Of sunshine. Her heart ) beat
inc wildly. She asks to be left alone
Cor a moment. and once alone, she
casts a swift glance around. hurries
20 her poor. everyday gown. searches
burriedIv in the pockets, takes out a
| N,,le flask. turns to a corner, and
stoops down The better - conceal her
self-and drinks. II is the port,
which she has not forgotten. aud
which viii give her strength. She
stands up and waits. She tries her
great scene;
Rome. who has seen your birth. :"
Alasi her voice is no longer sure
Nine. de Miramoy shivers and sinks
! into a chair to think.
sNlme. de Miramoy." they call,
presently, lit is your turn to 60 on.
But she does not move. There is
a knock. She decides, rises, opens
the door.
"Oh. NJ. Delisle, what a nightl she
murmurs a little huskily. and, TAX
ing his arm. she allows herself to be
led forth. Those who watch her as
she passes think from her manner
that she is frightened and dares not
confess it. Her knees even seem TO
be weak under her as she walks. They