The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-30
ONE OF THE DRAMAS
~ OF ACTUAL LIFE
The Actor, the HeaFtbfoken Mother
and the Girl Dying Of
Consumption.
from n. Fr,nes Of HEM % FOrs'.

FROM ne FrsHeA Of Hsnn % FoT6s.
was sitting in the dressing room OF the
famous actor, Morel as he was removing
bis makeup after mastery performance OF
'L,Arlesienne. The house had rung with
applause or held its breath In passionate
attention az Freder uttered his tender
words Of love. There was none that could
equal him in the 9Th and wonderful
beauty Of his love scenes.
Morel and had been friends from child
hood and now, after a separation Of nearly
twenty years, we we're happy TO have met
once more.
Come, my handsome Fredsri,' I said
I am going 10 take you away with me for
supper tonight. We will invite Vipehe
II you like Mile. Dameuille Ia truly charm
ing In that part and should like TO see you
with your hhnoee.'
my 6anoeel" Morel repeated gTavely,
as II the word had impressed him.
-Of counsel 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 'fancee- and asked him about II.
Perhaps he was engaged, once upon a
time said the pretty actress, smiling be-
witohingly,
Don't laugh" replied my friend, 'but
that ia exactly the reason. / was engaged
! once although only for a short while and
kind OF stage betrothal at that
All, breathe again she cried with a
mock sigh Of relief. L was afraid Of
rival. What play was il IMP
"ln play that has no title and which no
one has ever seen, h answered gravely.
But what theater them" she persisted.
THE theater Of life
He spoke slowly as II the memories the
words called up we're pair ful 10 him,
Tell us about II, she pleaded, with look
| Of tenderness 10 her merry eyes.
The actor smiled assentingly and, after
moments silence, while the band above US
| played a soft waltz, he began.
Yes, | was engaged once, engaged for
| two months. The story Ia a strange one,
but, as the young girl Is dead now, l may
sneak.
1T was a good many years ago, little
while after had made my debut at the
| Gymnase. was leading a very contented
| sort Of life, proud Of my success, amusing
myself as pleased and at heart sksptical
Of most people and things.
One evening, az sat quietly reading
at home, heard timid ring at the bell
and presently a middle agei lady, respec-
| tably dressed In mourning, entered the
room. Somewhat puzzled, l asked her TO
be seated, when she interrupted gently:
II have come to ask a favor Of you,
SIR she began In trembling voice, some
] i,N, I1lfcakn
! but know your genius and know. too,
that your are a gentleman, and am driven
| by a most sorrowful necessity Ia what am
about to do.
my name is Nine. D.. MY husband
died recently, and now the only living per-
son that ! can call my own, is my nineteen
year-old daughter NJ Morsl, this daugh-
ter IL dying, dying Of slow but none the
lees relentless disease Of the lungs.
| Nothing can do her any good, ALAS
nothing. and day after day, have to sit
beside her. while my heart is breaking,
watching her slipping away from me and
] powerless TO prevent it. All that the doc
tor can do is 20 make her comfortable, for
all remedies, he says, are useless, except
| eTcept--'
'she was silent for a moment her voios
broken with sohs Then she continued:
Unless there should be some reaction
some agitation in the child's heart-T
do not know II you understand me.
mean that my poor daughter, who has
suffered for 80 long time must gain little
Of the knowledge OF happiness that her
death may be easier. more geatle.
All, can you realize, sir, what it. means
for a mother to say these thngsl My
| daughter is dying do you understand the
! friRhtful word to -die?7 My only child
/ cannot hope, alas! to gain recovery for
her; only ask a smile, little dream Of
happiness before the end.
Il am afraid that you will not grant my
prayer, for you are one Of the favored
mortals Of this earth and the sight Of sui
fering is painful for those who DC not suffer
themselves but have come to appeal to
your genius as an actor; 10 beg an aims,
not Of money but Of your talent.
1T would not be for long, you see, nor
do ask anything dlhioult; simply that you
viii come from time TO time, as friend,
TO our house. That you will talk to my
Door sick daughter as q man would speak
TO a pretty young girl, gradually making
hor believe that you are fond Of her and
like 70 be with her.
II know you are about to say: Il do not
know your daughter; she Is nothing TO me, >
but swear to you that she Is worthy e.
your deepest respect and pity, She is not
pretty, at least she il not now. How can
she Be when she has suffered 30 many
monthsi
eff you viii do this, am absolutely
sure that her sickness will be stayed for a
moment; she will forget that she Ia soon
TO die and win believe that she " happy.
This h the role that ] have come TO
AJAX you TO play, Monsieur, you who have
played 50 many roles upon the stage. And