The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-10-14
please the GENERAL public.

- 5 please the general public. !
He tells me I would command twice az
much salary and play only two shows per
day, but how can I ever sing those songs
and how can Lob, I can't-I simply can't
October 19.-Yes, yes, I can do It; E.
can do anything to save Alice. Mother
writes that she has grown so delicate tho
doctor insists that she must have a.
change Of climate during the coming win
ter. He urges them to send her-says 1t
Is absolutely necessary to her recovery.
She has been Ill ever since that first time
mother wrote. Poor, patient little thing!
Will l sing coon songs. French songs, and
wear abbreviated skirts? Yes, I'm nerved
up to 1t at last. I know 1 can do it and
make a success. Applause shall be mine!
For applause means money and money
means a change Of climate for dear Alice.
December 1.-Well, 1t is all done. I am
a full-hedged 'vaudevillian' of the most
pronounced type. They nave sent Alice
away. At last the great stress is over. 1
nave sufficient ready money for my needs
and the family are living in comfort-so
no matter about the rest!'
SylVette let the diary slip into her lap
and read no more. After awhile she rose
YEARLY to prepare for bed. AS she did
so she noticed a folded bit of paper on the
floor. and picking 1t up discovered it to
be a postscript to her mothers letter.
How strange 1 did not notice 1t before"
she murmured. A sudden apprehension
seized her. There were only a few words.
Up. ST. don't want to worry you,
Sylvie. but Alice Is not improving as we
had hoped. OF course there ma be no
cause for alarm-perhaps we are expect
ing the change too quickly, but the doctor
writes that she is still very frail. Try not
to worry, dear. Mother"
svlvette slept wretchedly that night.
Frightful dreams startled her out of SUM
Der every hour or so. Once she awoke
crying, Alice! Alice!" and sat up in bed,
shivering with terror.
She had to force her spirits next day to
the radiant Sylvette. A heavy hand
seemed clutching at her throat, but she.
flung off the somber influence. She wrote
home at once and sent a letter brimful of
tenderness to Alice. She began to feel
hopeful once more.
On the last night of her engagement,
however. she grew restless and forebod-
ing again. She was feverishly alert when
night came. 1t was almost time for her
turn and Nancy was adding a finishing
touch to the jaunty costume when a tele-
gram was brought in by one OF the stage
hands.
For me?' questioned Sylvette. Again
that hand clutching her throat. She OPP
ened the telegram slowly. in a dazed way.
and stood reading the words over and
0NSA. MIC 0leQ lllS morning. come at
once. Mother"
Sylvette stared dumbly.
What is 1t, Miss Sylvette? Lord! look
at her lips!"
Are you sure this is right?" sylvette
asked the boy.
Yes, ma'am," returned the startled
youth in wonder.
She took the pencil and blank and wrote
mechanically:
II start tonight. Sylvie."
A loud rap sounded on the door and an
alarmed voice-'Sylvette! SylvetteI your
cue"
She faced the stake n a with the
same dazed, startled eyes.
Must I go on? My sister is dead!' Her
voice sounded strange to her, like that of
another person. The applause of the au-
dience came back to her like the sound
of a waterfall.
Good God, woman! I can't let you off
now, it's too late" They're waiting for
you. The Thornley, sister disappointed us.
too-one of ems sick. 1 am sorry, but
SylNettc was on the stage, smiling,
sparkling. Her hands were like ice. There
was a roaring in her ears, but the habit
OF affected buoyancy asserted itself. She
sang, she piroutted. Her eyes flashed with
even more than their accustomed bril-
liancy. Her audience thought her amaz-
1ngly spontaneous tonight. Gay, winning.
rollicking, she captivated them as never
before. 1t was all a nightmare to her. The
rapturous applause, the sea of upturned
faces. "Alice is dead; Alice is dead" The
words kept beating on her brain till it
seemed the tension would snap.
When she reached the shelter Of her
dressing room she did not cry out nor
swoon. She heard as in a dream voices
murmuring: Poor sylvette; too bad
about little sister" Cant we help you?'
How brave you are"
sylvette was finging her things on "a
chair while Nancy packed the trunk.
Hurry Nancy" she cried. One thing she
would avoid. In the mex act a quartette
sang The Lost Chord" She must get
not, endure It.
She fell to and assisted Nancy with des..
perate dispatch. There! We're reauy.,'.
She was dimly conscious that the stage,
manager spoke to her kindly and that
the others pressed her hand and offered
their sympathy.
She found herself gazing at the plump
envelope Just brought round from the hoy
office.
1T will help pay the"-she shuddered-
the expenses"
Suddenly a sweet. piercing tenor arose:
Seated one day at the organ"
oh. Nancy-come-I can't stand thatf
Quick-my satchel-goodby-'
Her voice broke. She was gone.
1t will do her good to cry" said the
others pityingly.
Out in the box Marie and her aunt were
sitting.
The gay sylvette was gayer than ever.
wasn't she?" remarked the girl.
Yes, and Just as superficial. What a
life! 1 wonder she never tires of III"
Philadelphia Press: C~asey-Ye're look
In purity bad this mornin', but we seem
happy enough.
cassidy-1ndade. OF am. 1t makes mo
feel great to think av the turrible toot'-
ache OF had lasht noight.
Casey-Phwy should thot make We SO
I Iorpvo