The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-14

an. before them appeared the man for whom the sea had no desire. He was a man of medium height, solid ly built, muscular, d little bit stopped.
 Koitovski wore a blue shirt, spotted all
 over with paint and oil, and a large leather belt at his waist. His wrinkled trousers were hidden in high boots. Taken as a whole he gave one an impression of a common and unknown workman. His hands were long and nervous like a go- rlla his face was homely and vulgar enough but full of character; his cheek bones were prominent and with his long
 mustache, which dropped downward he gave one the impression of a terrible force but one from which thought ema- | mated; from under his large scowling eyebrows his blue eyes cast a look at the
 same time tacit,rl. and gentle. Another pecullarity about his features was the ex- i pression of passion and extraordinary en- ergy. Under the left eye large blue
 spot showed itself. evidence of rude
 blow. Above the forehead there was a
 mop of tangled hair, and from the en-
 tire person of Kostovski one got the im-
 pl eision of a corroded nature, tumultu-
 ous and ungovernable
 He saluted humbly and at the same
 time with dignity. without giving his
 hand.
 What are you doing, Kostovski?"
 asked the manager. "The first produc-
 tiol is for tomorrow and here we are
 forced to postpone it. Why do you cause
 me so much trouble, tell me? Is it honor
 able on your part? Why do you get drunk! And this decoration you are car rying under your eye-are you proud of it?"
 kostovski drew back, plunged his five fingers in the mop of hair and as if talk
 ins the, in a passionate voice said: Mare Loukitch. l have been drinking but l have finishedI l will do all that is
 ne e,essary to do. Today is Saturday and
 consequently no immediate production; l will not move from here until tomor-
 TOW. ] will work all night I-I-Oh. my
 God!"
 kostovski threw both hands in the air ant seemed possessed with a savage feel in6 of energy. He wished to work as an eXpiation.
 Do you know what is to be doneon as--ed the manager. "'rhe scene in oues
 tion must be the size of the stage and
 must be all that is beautiful, Do YOU
 understand? All that is beautiful"
 Il will do 1t. l will do it." cried Kos tovski. becoming animated and running
 the fingers of both hands through his
 hair. Forgetting himself he commenced
 to hurriedly walk about on the stage
 oNpPPiiiS
 Tell me what must be the subject of
 the scene? For what is it to he used?p
 This is it,'' said the manager. Tt is Tor the second act; the two men have
 strayed into the vast, prairie during the night. The place must be absolutely wild
 and deserted. They become afraid Ter
 rib.e things are to be accomplished here
 for must therefore represent this vast steppe with all the accessories of dis tance, fog. and clouds in manner so re@l that in advance the public will shiyer |. with fear in beholding"
 Enough" interrupted Kostovski: q will paint the wildreness--the vast plains: l will work all night on the scene itself by the light of the lamps. All is well prepared?"
 ''Oh, yes. But work, only work" an swered the director
 kostovsh already felt the torments of his artistic genius. He turned from his chiefs. He saw them no more; he heard them not; he forgot them. He placed him self in the middle of the stage and called in loud commanding voice. .'Hil Paul, Jean! Come here! quickly! Hurry up, you children of the devil. Kostovski is going to work!'
 Paul, the workman attached to the the atre, and Jean, his assistant went to work, laid out the immense canvas brought brushes and pots of colors 'Oh, we'll" said the director to the man. ager, thank God he has gone to work again. 1t will not be necessary to coun- termand the production. Let us go to dinner; We must not disturb him now" The stage was lighted all night The empty theatre was silent as q tomb One heard but the footsteps of Kostovski. who.
 armed with long brushes, moved to and fro about the canvas. All around him were pails and pots of paint. The work adyanca1 knefnysL; bis bruised eye, his face all smeared with paint his hair and mustache brlstling, his eyes shining, his body burning under the inspiration.
 At eleven o'clock the next morning the entire company, collected for the last re- hearsal grouped itself before the paint in2-artists, choristers and ballet dancers -and contemplated the enormous paint
 ing, now from the stage and again from