Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-06-19

rum with seats
wrapped in white cloths. They waited
for the premiere danseuse, the eele-
breted Nile. Tampa, but she respected
herself far to much to arrive with
puncuality and the manager cursed
her yolubly.
why doesn't that woman arrive?"
le cried. He was a dark, stout man.
it'll hair redolent of cosmetic and an
ccent which betrayed his Teutonic
nationality My time is money. my
boy; my time is money"
Lucian Smith was long and lean,
with auburn locks through which per
petually, with a dramatic gesture, ne
passed his fingers.
Mile. Tampa is the finest dancer in
Europe he replied with an ecstatic
sigh. Il would wait all day to cat III
one glimpse of her"
In truth neither Mr. Jenkinson nor
the composer was much at ease, for
though La Tampa had been called os-
tensibly to rehearse a dance written
especially to display her great skill
the meeting, in point of fact, had been
arranged to reveal to her for the first
time that she would have to discard
the conventional dress of the ballet
dancer fer skirts and high heels
| Neither knew how she would take il,
for she was passionately devoted tc
the conventions Of her art.
Presently the door of the back scene
was flung violently open and in there
bounded very fat little man. 1t was
La Zampa's father.
Behold the incompatible, the ador-
able, the unparal! he cried, with
strong French accent. Gentleman,
take off your hats to Nile Tampa
The lady tripped in upon his words,
He took her hand and together they
ran down the stage, kissed their fin
gers to an imaginary audience and
struck an attitude. Nile Tampa was
little woman with flashing eyes and
lovely teeth. She was oddly dressed
now in an old ballet skirt, tights an
ordinary bodice which she wore ~
the street and a somewhat battered
hat.
"Genevieve!'' cried the composer.
passionately.
''Luc.en!" she answered.
Love mas triunphed over the chaste
heart of Mile. Tampa. She has re-
slowed her little hand ON this fc,tu-
nate young man, and /, her father,
given my paternal blessing to
ir union"
I'm delighted to hear it, said Mr..
Jenkinson amiably.
The dancer smiled upon her be
trothed and pressed his hand.
He is an artist. like myself, and
love him. she said. He will com
pose ballets for me and l will dance
them Monsieur and Mile. Tampa will
go down to posterity hand in hand.
"Genevieve!" cried Luc.en Smith.
My betrothed." she answered.
And once, more with affecting rap
ture. they were clasped in one an
others arms. But Mr.. Jenkinsoh
thought it was quite time to get to the
work for which they were there.
But you are not going to dance in
those things" he cried. as though G
had Just noticed La Zampa's costume.
Haven't you read the book?" The
little woman looked at him, completely
at loss for his meaning. The
duchess of Kensington comes forward
and dances he read. taking up the
book" of the ballet
''Wen?"
The duchess of Kensington cant
dance at royal garden party in tights
and ballet skirts and those shoes.
You must wear heels, my dear. Ouch
esses always do"
The effect of his statement was L,ost
alarming, for Mile. Tampa gasped and
turned perfectly white. She looked at
her father and saw that he, most
lpoplectic red, was shaking with
mingled Indignation and amazement.
IT'S impossiblei" she cried. GIVE
never danced in heels. 1t is contrary
o all the rules of my art have
ocer Cleopatra. queen of Egypt, in bal
let skirts; I have been the queen of
Sfeba in these very pink tights, and
YOU say can not wear them as duch-
ess of Kensington." She snapped her
fingers contemptuously. "You make
me laugh"
Lucien Smith had foreseen the out
rage this demand would seem to tho
sensitive dancer and saw that the
managers contemptuous Indifference
only made things worse. He sought
to use persuasion.
81 know it's a degradation" he said,
ut after all. the public will have
alism nowadays They no longer
understand the photographic art.
Won't yo,. try. fer my sake, GeTe-
vieve?"
He desired to take her hand but.
with a commanding gesture, she bade
him keep his distance
"Never!" she answered. Even for
you Lucien. will not dishonor N.Y.
self"
Mr.. Jenkinson looked at his watch
and got up
Now. look here. I've got no more
time to waste You'll have to wear
heels. and. what's more, you'll have TO
wear long dress"
"My noble father. take me home