Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-12-10
SO NEARLY LOST
asEkEsEaA
By CHARLES GARy1cu

tefore that theater full of people, or
having to speak while hundreds were
listening, frightened her, it was true,
but it vas no worse for her than Tor
others as good as herself.
We'll" demanded Emily, clutching
her arm. Say YES Look, he's wait
irg and looking at us, Don't hesitate
and lose the chance, dear. He'll go ana
speak to some one else directly. Oh.
DO be quick" and she stood on tip-toe,
eagerly scanning Joan's pale, thorgnt-
full face.
you may say yes, that l will try,
said Joan.
A moment afterward Joan placed
herself in position and felt herself be-
ing drawn up, up, up--it seemed
miles. to the very sky itself! She clos
ed her eyes for moment and drew her
breath, but by repeating, Il am quite
safe! | am quite safe!" to herself sew
eral times. she regained her courage
and looked down upon the glittering
scene, "The Oceans Bed"
Slowly she descended. The music
grew softer, fainter, sweeter, and as
she touched the ground she stepped
from the wire support, and advancing,
waved her wand and spoke the few
lines of her part.
1t seemed TO her no one but herself
could hear her voice, but as she fin
ished, and the shells and sea anemones
opened, and the crowd of fairies came
hopping over the stage, Mr.. Giffard
clapped his hands and cried, "Bravo!"
ooh, it was splendid splendid. 3"
murmured Emily, as she tripped past
her; you did it beautifully. Look at
Mr.. Giffard. He is delighted"
But Joan could look at nothing. All
her heart was set upon accomplishing
the task she had undertaken to her
own satisfaction. and as the scene
closed upon the reascent of the Fairy
Queen, little burst of applause arose
from the spectators.
''Mr Giffard " said the stage mana
ger, hurrying up to him and speaking
i'll a whisper, you've got prize, sir, a
prize!"
And Mr.. Giffard, with a smile, nod
ded and murmured;
by George, believe you're right!
CHAPTER XIII.
Famous in a Might"
The whole current of Joan's life was
changed. That she would prove a sue
cess, and a great one, not only Mr. Git.
fard, but all about the theater were
&c nfident.
She was not only beautiful but she
was, so it was whispered, gifted. Her
voice was sweet and yet clear the kind
e. voice which, without an effo. t.
makes itself heard from the pit to the
callery-soft, flexible and melting
So exquisitely did she speak the fe v
lines of the original part at the next
rehearsal that the author, who was
present, declared that it would be a
sin and ashame to waste her upon so
few words, and wrote up" her pa t,
that is, added to it, so that now tn
Fairy Queen had more to say than the
few words which called her attendant
fairies together
There were frequent rehearsals,
sometimes twice a day, and at last
came the last grand dress one, when
even Mr.. Giffard seemed satisfied.
And then came the night.
Mr.. Giffard helped her up the narrow
stairway to the flies, and assisted in
Tiacing her in the wire; the music
Tlayed the soft chords which were to
herald her appearance and Joan felt
herself descending to the earth. AS
she came in sight of the audience there
was a momentary stillr ess, a moment
of surprise and admiration. then a
burst of applause
Her beauty, the grace of her pose as
she seemed to float through the air.
and alight like snowflake upon the
boards, took the house by storm.
For moment Joan stood fronting
the house, the glare of the footlights
almost binding her, the sight of the
crowd, dimly seen through the haze of
Gas and limelight, Overwhelming her:
her heart seemed to stand still and her
i"hh Will Su LHSu, Win u great e.
tort, she came floating down to the
footlights, and waving her wand, spoke
her opening lines.
She almost fancied that not a word
could be heard, but the house had
caught every syllable, and as the
sweet, musical voice, low and clear,
spoke the poetics.l lines with delicate
ripple, as if she felt them-instead OF
il the usual hard, mechanical fashion
to which audiences are accustomed
and the fairies came darting out from
their hiding places, the house broke
cut into delighted applause.
Gracefully, airily, as If she were
treading on space, Joan f1oated toward
the wire, got into position, and was
waited out of sight.
But the audience were not inclinez
to let her go so quietly and easily.
With roar OF satisfaction and ap-
proval, they shouted for her reappear-
ance, and Joan, scarcely understand
ing what was going on, felt herself
lowered into the light again, amidst
thunder OF applause.