The Cairo bulletin., 1904-04-06

small Her mother had good stun IN
her Serpoletto has twice her mothers
talent and four times her beauty
IN recite you a thing of my own"
cried Serpolette.
She had sprung into the room noise
lessy, There was Whit Of perfume
a In Serpolette; there was a whir of
silken skirts. She stood there as If ris-
en- from the floor, like a stage fairy.
holding in her hand a marvelously tint
cd umbrella She had laughing face,
as pert and saucy and up to date as
her costume.
The room was the empty office of n
theatrical manager that Is. empty Of
everything but table. chair. the two
managers, Breval and Jancey, and Ser.
polette.
Janeey had turned as she came for.
ward, his shrewd face reddening with
establishment. Breval puckered his lips
together and whistied.
"A thing of my own" explained Ser
polette earnestly, a sliyht frown ruf.
fling the smoothness of the soft flesh
between her eyes. "a little skit |
thought of one night when | slept.
woke and thought 1t out. claim it for
niche though, | want the footlights
of the Palais Royal to light it up. None
of your open air theaters for this pro-
duction. The legitimate May do IT."
Janeey looked at her steadily, the
light springing to his eyes. Breval
yawned.
What is your project?" demanded
Jancey
First" began Serpolettc. al am sat
ished Oh" as Breval gave vent to a
SOOTHING laugh, you think we artists
are never satisfied. But this time il Is
not my pay shall find fault with. nor
my role, nor the music of my last song,
nor the words. 1t is with myself,
There has been something stirring In
me lately | cannot get away from,
feeling that must give vent TO ii or
things will 90 badly with me. 1t is
"Well?' urged Jancey eagerly.
1T is, f" and she threw back her head
as though she could breathe longer and
fuller with her chin raised - 1T is
this
She spoke very low and rapidly. II
wish 10 hold the public in the palm of
my hand, Id like 10 bid the tears
course down their cheeks as well MS to
see those same cheeks wrinkle with
laughter. It's silly TO laugh always.
want more power Give me the space
to try for it,
Breval smiled cynIcally. "A whim,"
he said. And then he turned and com.
menced TO toss some papers on his
desk
Jancey sat silently regarding Serpo
lettc.
You know how | can laugh" she
continued IBID some one write me
play which contains laughter and
tears. | can weep rs well"
You" from Breval specifically
you, You were not made to weep"
a look Of pain, as oddly at variance
with her sauey face as cloud across
the brightness OF day in June. blot
ted out for an instant the bloom of Ser
polettes radiant countenancc. 1t van
ished as quickly rs Il came. but Jancey
had seen il.
"Ah. let me try IT, she urged Sure.
~ yGu will lei me play my share Of
tragedy as well as comedy; Surely
YOU will not deny me the knowledge OF
tears"
Brevnl rubbed his eyes,
Enough" he said Have done. |
know your type, At weeping YOU would
fail You have not suffered
Il can play at tears"
you cannot
81 will
you won't engage you to laugh"
you refuse"
absolutely"
"Well, so let 1t be-
AS she laid her hand upon the door
knob Jancey cried suddenly II have an
idea. Listen" az Breyal commenced q
violent protest Let Serpolette laugh.
Give her soubrette parts. Have anoth-
er actress to all the tragic roles. Make
the play serio comic Twill be a new
venture at the palais Royal Serpo
lette Is sure to draw. She has filled our
pockets. Give her her head, but in rea-
son"
II have It." cried Serpolette. And
down went her umbrella again. II
know a girl, a friend of mine from
Mines She Is the personification Of
grief. All her lines go down as mine
go up. Eyelids droop, mouth droops
at the corners, unmitigated grief. SO"
She stood mournfully. trying to look
as grief stricken as she could. But
l.