The Washington herald., 1907-08-31
MAKING GOOD"
By EPES W. SARGENT.

Timidly Eliza opened the door and
slipped into the little lOw-ceilinged room
that she had come to know so well Some
times when the agent was busy she would
have 10 wait for half an hour or SO, and
the photographs of entertainers with
which the walls were covered had come
TO seem like old friends Most Of all, she
liked 10 stand in front of a framed
check for $1,000 that had been paid
prima donna Of note for singing only
three songs at a society function. It was
evidence that the business OF entertain
Ing others did sometimes pay.
But there was no time for looking at the
pictures to-day No one stood by the
agents desk and she looked over expect
ing the Inevitable note and the curt:
Nothing doing to-day. Sorry" that had
rewarded her pilgrimages.
Her heart beat faster as the agent
swung briskly around In his chair.
Il thought you would be In so / did
not write" he greeted. Il have a chance
for you. 1t is not very much but IT Will
lead TO better things II you make good.
The Bow Lake boat club wants some one
to give a few recitations at an entertain
ment" He caught up a pad of paper and
passed il 10 her after he had made
few marks. She glanced at the white sur
face and saw "$l5 Carmontelle never
spoke figures. He always wrote them.
Il shall be glad Of anything" said
Elda gratefully 1T is very good OF you.
When is it to be?'
Thursday night. You so out on the
2:10 train. Byrum, enter Miss Testra for
the Bow Lake Come in Thursday morn
ing for the ticket" he added as the clerk
made an entry. you pay your'own fare.
Il will be $50"
He turned back to his desk with a nod
OF dismissal and Elda went down the
steps as though the worn boards were the
sOftest clouds The dreary wait was ever,
and her chance had come just as the little
fund which represented all that was left
OF her fathers estate was dwindling to
nothingness. With her fare and the
agents commission deducted there was
not very much left. but still It was q be-
ginning, and the beginning was what she
needed.
She spent the three-day interval IN Sc
lecting her repertoire. Before her faith
er's death, following his bankruptcy,
she had been considered clever as an
elocutionist and imitator Now that she
sought to earn her living by her single
talent she planned with the utmost care,
1t was a long. hot ride to Bow Lake.
Of In he haf
car. and the little package of sandwiches
was but a poor substitute for a warm
dinner in the dining car.
Her reception at Bow Lake was still
more discOuTaging. A carriage had been
sent for her, but at the clubhouse she
sat alone for an hour before the steward
showed her where to dress, and there
was another dismal wait before she was
summoned to the stage. The tiny space
back of the curtain was crowded with
men and women In evening dress. Some
Of them she remembered having met a
few years before, when she had come
North on visit, but they only stared at
her blankly. They were not looking for
acqua!ntances in paid entertainers, and
no one spoke TO her until the stage man
ageT came rushing up.
II your turn next, ne SAID. we
only want couple Of little bits. you
know. We have so much of OFF own
talent"
He went of again ana Elda took her
place at the entrance to await the COM
pletiOn Of the song. Then the stage
manager gave her a slight shove and
she walked out upon the tiny stage. She
had appeared in public scores OF times
and had never felt the slightest degree
Of nervousness, but now her whole frame
shook and it seemed for a moment as
though she would fail Then the sea OF
faces became a blur and she was no
longer afraid OF them.
After her second selection the thunder
Of applause told Of the success she had
scored, and, faint and trembling. but
very happy she sank down into a seat
in a dark corner.
No one seemed to notice her and she
missed the little attentions that had al
ways been paid her. She knew that
she had no right to expect them now;
she vas professional entertainer, but
none the less 1t hurt.
They were passing refreshments to the
others and the sight Of food made her