The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-15
THE SOUBREITE'S
 CHRISTMAS.
BY STOVAL FIELD. Copyright. 1905, By Daily Story Pub.

b1 SAOSAL Copyright, 1905, By Daily Story Pub. Co.,
 The soubrette entered the second la- dy's dressing room and bounding to the broad, flat expanse of a travelling trunk curled her legs up beneath her. Though she did not appear till the second scene. she was already dressed, the part of her most covered, however, being her face, with its layer of vermillion and black. The second lady was rouging, during which oper- ation she never talked, nor did she en- \ joy being talked at, which the sou | brette knew, and watched her in si- lence. The two were on really inti- mate terms It was on account of the second lady's idea of the prestige of her position, billed as she was next to the houghty and supercillous first lady. with whom no inferior ever took I a liberty. Nevertheless she patronized I the soubrette as a cute little thing, and not so bad either, but whom she considered 1t quite necessary to keep | at a distance. Consequently she all | ways reserved to herself the right to begin a conversation, which she did tonight by some trifling remark. In possession of this, her cue, the Sou- brette launched upon a volubility last ing until the second lady slipped on i her princess gown.
 Want me to hook your back?" said the soubrette, interrupting herself, and springing down from the trunk.
 The second lady kept no maid, and these unofficial assistances of the sou brette were really appreciated, though she received them with the habituds of a Sultan receiving salaam.
 Hold your breath! Therew and let hook triumphantly. Then she contin- ued her former conversation, which to- night was upon the trials of belonging to a road company.
 Think of Christmas in Furnace ville"
 "A beastIy holer' said the second lady. which the soubrette took as a confidence. and her next remark was n coincidence in a familiar tone on mutual grievances. e second lady stiffened. She had gone too far. She must snub the audacious soubrette.
 A bell tinkled, and she moved to- ward the door.
 'Tll stay here tonight guess. Can't stand the push," said the sou- brette.
 Please pick up my things" re- joined the second lady loftily and swept away down the narrow staircase to the stage.
 The soubrette sniffed. She must think I'm her maid" said she, and left tht things as they were, though often she performed this service for her superior. without being told to, how ever Yet her action tonight was not so much due to resentment as the pre- occupation. She heard the curtain rise and the familiar infections. faint at ner distance, of the actors voices. Her head sank into her hands in rev. cry
 Christmas in Furnaceville! Yet what's Christmas?'
 Like so many of her kind. the sou brette had come from a western farm. The life of the stage had at first amazed dazzled, then disgusted ner: then she got used to 1t, and became no worse. possibly a little better than her associates, for she had good mem ories. To many of them she remained true. One now was very vivid. It was of Christmas, with its rows of stockings before the fireplace. it's hill on new sleds after the dinner.
 Christmas meant something then Now it's farce. They send me things I don't want, and send them dough. Good thing to have, but not much sen~ timent in 1t. If only Jimmie"
 She jumped up and swished her skirts. If she thought of Jimmie she would cry and spoil her finish, as she called her makeup. Jimmie was her brother a poor little cripple. who had smiled away twelve years in a won started out to make money to hire a great surgeon for him of whom she had heard. But in six months before she had saved a penny, Jimmie died Her mother wrote, "I wish you had been here. You always was the only one who could quiet him. and he kept crying so for Nanna." Cried for Mamma, had he2 Since then Mama had not tried to save much.
 "If only Jimmie were here! Then I'd keep Christmas"
 | A bell tinkled again. The soubrette whisked down the stairs, and at her ! cue passed out upon the stage. She was very pretty and was told to make the most of herself. Therefore she was wont t0 gaze out boldly into the audience, smiling here and there, with various mods. Che rarely listened to 1 the histriOnic efforts of her superiors other than to catch her cues. but to- night she was especially distrait. She bungled She got in the hero's way, worst of all. just as he was making a gesture which was to result fin an ex- pexted burst of applause. The hero l complained to the manager and the manager called ner down
 No right to any feelings but stage feelings In this business" she soliIo- quized later as she crawled into her unaired hotel bed.
 But other feelings would come fast CT and faster, as Christmas ap- preached. The company took the road 10 Furnaeevllle. For some reason un- accountable to tho soubre'te the sec- ond lady was in a softened mood and talked to ner, even in the first lady's presence, about things never before mentioned between them. Christmas Eve the soubrette entered the dress tng room as usual to hook the prime