The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-02
THE ACTORS ROLE.


 Frederi uttered his tender words of love. There was none that could equal him in the strength and wonderful beauty of his love scenes.
 Morel and I had been friends from childhood, and now, after separation of nearly twenty years. we were happy to have met once more.
 Come, my handsome Frederi," I said. T am going to take you away with me for supper tonight. We will invite YiEette, if you like. Mile. Dar- neuille is truly charming in that part, and should like to see you with your fiancee." .-~
 My fiancee," Morel repeated, grave ly, as if the word had impressed him.
 "Of course! Why, what troubles you? Stage betrothals are not lasting unless you please, you know!"
 Later, as we three sat about the table in the soft light of the pink shaded candles, remembered Morel's abstraction at the word fianeee, and asked. him the reason. Perhaps he was engaged once upon time," said the pretty actress, slniI- ing bewitchingly. :.
 Dent 1augh,r replied my friend, but that is exactly the reason. was engaged once, although only for short while, and a kind of stage betrothal at that"
 '"Ah, breath again. she cried with mock sigh of relief. T was afraid of a rival! What play was it in?"
 Tn play that has no title and which no one has ever seen,". Morel answered grayely. ....>..-. .Ss...
 But what. theater, then?" she per- sisted. .@ .s.,..
 The theater of life.'t'm .s-..-s. -. He spoke slowly, as if the memories the words called up were painful to re- member
 Tell us about 1t she pleaded, with a look of tenderness in her merry eyes.
 The actor smiled assentingly, and, afteramoment's silence, while the band above lis played a soft waltz, he began.
 "Yes, I was engaged once, engaged for two months. The story is a strang one, but, as the young girl is deal now, I may speak.
 Tt was a good many years ago, a little while after had made my debut at the Gymnase. I was leading very contented sort of a, life, proud of my success, amusing myself as I pleased and, at heart, skeptical of most people and things.
 "one evening as sat quietly read- ing at home. I heard a tirlid ring at the bell, and presently q middle-aged lady, respectfully dressed in mourning entered the room. 4
 2 "omewhat puzzled. I asked her to be seated. when she interrupted me gent ly, s st.s raA5zf$F3 w ~@3g~ VI ~@ssz5 i l :. I have come to ask a favor of you, sir" she began in a trembling voice, something at once most painful and I know, too, that you are a gentleman. and I am driven by a most sorrowful necessity to what am about to do.
 8" My name is Mme. D. My hus- band died recently, and now the only living person whom can call my own is my t9-year-old daughter. M. Morei this daughter is dying, dying Of q Slow but none the less relentless disease of the lungs. Nothing can do her any good, alasI < nothing, and day after day have to sit beside her, while my heart is breaking, watching her slipp- ing away from me and powerless to prevent it. All that the doctor can do is to make her comfortable, for all re- medies he says, are useless except---'
 "he was silent for a moment, her voice broken with sobs. Then shIle continued:
 :" Unless there should be some reac- tion, some agitation in the childs heart, do not know if you understand me. I mean that my poor daughter wha has suffered for so long time, for so many reasons, not only on account of the sorrow that has come to us, but also from the quiet, Inonotonous, un- girlish life she has been forced to live, with Eone of the jolly. and brightness of a young girls life; I mean that she must gain a little of the knowledge of happiness that the death may be easi- CT, more gentle. An, can you realize, sir, what 1t means for a mother to say these things? My daughter is dying; do you understand the frightful word of "die!" My only child! I cannot hope, alas! to gain recovery for her, I only ask smile, a little dream of happiness before the end.
 I am afraid you will not grant my prayer, for you are one of the fa- vored naortals of this earth. and the sight of suffering is painful for those who do not suffer themselves; but I have come to appeal to your genius as an actor, to beg aims not of money, but of your talent. It would not be for long, you see, nor do I ask any, thing difficult; simply that you with came from time to time as friend to our house. That you will talk to my poor sick daughter as man would speak to a pretty young girl, gradually making her believe that you are fond of her and like to be with her. I know you are about to say: 1T do not know you daughter; she is nothing to mel" but I swear to you that she is worthy of your deepest respect and pity. She is not pretty; at least, she is not now. How can she be when she had suffered so many months? ..
 eff you will do this, I am absolutely sure that her sickness will be stayed for moment; she will forget that she isnsoon to die, and she will believe that