The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-11-06

were me sorest clouds. Inc dreary
wait was over, and her chance had
come just as the little fund which rep.
resented all that was left of her ia
Tiers estate was dwindling to moth
ingness. With her fare and the agents
commission deducted there was not
very much left, but still it was be-
ginning. and the beginning was what
she needed.
She spent the three day interval in
selecting her repertory. Before her
fathers death following his bankrupt
cy 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 ut
most care.
1t was long, hot ride to Bow Lake.
She could not afford a seat in the chair
car, and the little package of sand
wiches was but poor substitute for a
warm dinner in the dining car.
Her reception at Bow Lake was still
more discouraging. 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 be-
fore 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 re-
membered having met a few years be-
fore when she had come north on a
visit, but they only stared at her blank
ly. They were not looking for ac-
quaintances in paid entertainers, and
no one spoke to her until the stage
manager came rushing up.
cts your turn next" he said. 1--WE
only want couple Of little bits, you
know. We have so much of our own
| talent"
He was off again. and Elda took her
place in the entrance to await the com
pletion of the song. Then the stage
manager gave her slight shove, and
she walked out upon the tiny stage.
She had appeared in public scores Of
times and had never felt the slight
est degree Of nervousness. but now her
whole frame shook, and 1t seemed for
moment as though she would faii.
Then the sea of faces became blur,
and she was no longer afraid of them.
After her second selection the thun-
der of applause told of the success she
had scored. and, faint and trembling,
but very happy, she sank down into a
seat in dark corner.
No one seemed to notice her, and she
missed the little attentions that had
| always been paid to her. She knew
that she had no right to expect them
now: she was a professional enter
tainer, but none the less it hurt.
They We're passing refreshments t.
the others. and the sight of the food
made her faint. The room seemed sud
denly to blur and then grow dark.
When she opened her eyes again she
was in another room-a comfortable
old school friend, was looking dow1
into her face with pitying eyes.
"You are all right now" she said as
Elda scanned the face With puzzled
glance. You tainted back there on the
I
stage, and we brought you here, where
we could look after YOU better. 1T i.
| one of the small pallors.''
1T was the excitement explaine,
Elda. .'You see, it was my professiona
debut. and it meant so much to me-
! Nell stroked the thin. trembling hand
"Why didn't yoH come to u.s." she de
manded. 1--WE have been back for thre,
months, and we have been lookin;
everywhere for you. Dick nearly fel
off his chair when you came on TIN
Stage"
81 did write" explained Elda, 'bu
there was no answer, and so man.
others dropped me that II
I'VE We're in Egypt explained Nell
"There was some trouble with a eel
tain contract, and Dick went to loo
after it himself and took me with him
We never dreamed of what was hap
pening"
cts all right now" said Elda, wit
faint smile. II have made good
as Mr.. Carmontelle wonld say and IN