The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-06-02
SET THURSDAY. MAY 2e.


 Nicholas.
 SET THURSDAY. MAY 26. THE CHORUS GIRLS PROMOTION '.Ach Hinmel! The prima idonna, Miss Highnote, has tainted on the stage, We have rung down the cur tain. The audience must go home un- less you help us.'
 T? What can I do?"
 The tinid, shrinking chorus girl gazed at the stage manager in wonder.
 You must go on and finish the pri- ma donna's part"
 'Impossible,'
 You must. You alone know the mu- sic. You can sing like bird-you need no rehearsal, for you have watched Miss Highnote every night I beg of you, make the effort"
 Mildred stood dazed. What would the folks in Schenectady say now when they read the New York papers and saw her picture two columns wide and read the story of her sudden success? Why, it seemed almost too good to be true.
 Well, what you say? Is it a bar gain? You will sing the part?"
 Bartholdi seemed frantic with anxie- ty. He was in haste to ring up the curtain to announce the change in the cast. The obstinacy of the girl made him angry.
 One moment"
 The humble chorus girl assumed a more imperious demeanor.
 T will sing the role, but on one con dition.'
 Name it. Name anything. Only sing"
 Tt is that henceforth my salary shall be one hundred and seventy-hve dollars week. instead of the eighteen dollars I have been receiving. Bartholdi gasped out in astonish- ment.
 You are mad. A hundred and sew enty-five? Why, you are crazy" Mildred closed her lips firmly.
 Very we'll then. Dismiss your audi ence.''
 Bartholdi wavered. He consented. The salary was fixed at one hundred and seventy-five dollars week, And must have maid. You shall have maid" And the stars dressing room?''
 T will have her things moved out at once.''
 And a press agent?"
 He will report to you tomorrow for instructions
 ''Very well, then. Lead the way. will sing l A sea of faces, cold, unrelenting, fore boding, greeted Mildred Montmorency as she first stepped before the foot lights Somehow, it seemed to her as though they were so many wild beasts waiting to tear her to pieces. She trembled and would have fallen.
 Courage" whispered Bartholdi from the wings.
 Be brave" murmured the musica director across the footlights. 1 The directors baton rose and fell The orchestra began. The audienct was as silent as death itself
 Then Mildred opened her lips and 2 flood of melody broke forth upon tn, still air. Slowly at first, then faster and faster as the tempo of the sons changed, she sang her first solo. Higher and higher went the notes Nearer and nearer she reached the top most pinnacle of the Patti register The audience was thrilled through anC through. Suddenly, with rising cres cendo of her marvellous voice, she sans higher than ever Patti had dared u climb.
 The next moment all was in an up roar. A volcano os applause poure, enthusiastic approval upon the fai young debutante. The musical directo broke his baton In excitement. Bar tholdi the stage manager, rushed for ward impulsively from the wings an embraced his protege, his discovery.
 Stunned and unable to comprehen her astonishing success, Mildred Mont morency, the former chorus girl, stoo like a statue in the center of this re lmarkable demonstration.
 For five minutes the excitement con tinued. In vain the manager tried lauell the disturbance.
 In the midst of the uproar the stag lmanaser lowered the asbestos fire cLI tain to shut off the applause from ii unwilling victim, and Mildred Montmt rency, half fainting, was carried to he dressing room. while in her ears sti rang the noise of the terrific app;aus
 
 There was a loud banging on the doc
 Miss Montmorency."
 Slowly the figure on the box couc arose and opened the door.
 Bartholdi, the stage manager, stoo outs de.
 Miss Montmorency, this is the thin time you have missed your place in tl zoo zoo song and pony ballet. Yo,, al disL,l. rEcd No tears, now. This nnnt l ,,nrnnnt if ,tn,1 a1a di..,In rsc |