The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-26
The EVENING STORY
ssATakine Goodv
(By Epes w. sargent.)


Timidly Elda opened the door and
slipped into the little low-ceilinged
room that she had come to know so
Wen. Sometimes when the agent was
busy she would have to 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 to
stand in front of a framed check for
$S,OOO.OO that had been paid a prima
Gonna Gonna OF note for singing only three
songs at society function. 1t was
evidence that the business of enter
taing others did sometimes pay.
But there was no time for looking
at the pictures today. No one stood
by the agents desk and she looked
over expecting the inevitable note and
the curt: Nothing doing today. Sor-
ry that had rewarded her pilgrim
ages.
Her heart beat faster as the agent
swung briskly around in his chair
thought you would be in so did
not write" he greeted. Il have a
chance for you. 1t is not very much
but 1T will lead to better things If you
make good. The Bow Lake Boat club
wants some one to give a few recita-
tons at an entertainment" He caught
up pad of paper and passed 1t to
her after he had made a few marks.
She glanced at the white surface and
saw "$15?" Carmontelle never spoke
figures. He always wrote them.
81 shall be glad Of anything" said
Elda gratefully. "It is very good of
you. When is it to be?"
Thursday night. You go out on
the 2:10 train. Bryum, enter Miss
Testra for the Bow Lake. Come in
added as the clerk made the entry.
You pay your own fare. 1t will be
$780,
He turned back to his desk with a
TT i Il
the steps as though the worn boards
were the softest clouds. The dreary
wait was over, and her chance had
come just as the little fund which rep
resented all that was left of her faith
er's estate was dwindling to nothing
commission deducted there was not
very much left, but still it was a be-
ginning. and the beginning was what
she needed.
She spent the three-day interval in
selecting her repertoire. Before her
fathers death following his bank
ruptcy, 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.
She could not afford a seat in the chair
car and the little package of sand
witches was but a poor substitute for
q warm dinner IN the car.
Her reception at Bow Lake was still
more discouraging. A carriage had
been sent for her, but at the club
house 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
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.
i TITS your turn next, II he said. I'VE |
know. We have so much of our own |
talent"
He was off again and Elsa took her
place in the entrance to await the |
of the song Then the stage |
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
1egree of nervousness, but now her
whole frame shook, and 1t seemed for
4 moment as though she would fall |
Then the sea of faces became blur
md she was no longer afraid of them.
After her second selection the thun-
Ter of applause told Of the success
the had scored, and, faint and trem-
bling, but very happy she sank down
nto a seat in a dark corner.
No one seemed to notice her and she
missed the little attentions that had
always been paid her. She knew that
The had no right to expect them now;
he was a professional entertainer, but
zone the less 1T hurt.
They were passing refreshments to
he others and the sight of food made
Ter faint. The room seemed suddenly
o blur and then grow dark.
When she opened her eyes again she
ooking room and Nell Bradford, an
Id school friend, was looking down
nto her face with plying eyes.
you are all right now" she said,
IS Elsa scanned the face with puzzled
lance. You tainted back there on
he stage and we brought you here
where we could look after you better.
t is one of the small parlors.'
ut was the excitement" exclaimed
Elsa. You see, it was my profess
ional debut and it meant so much to
me-"
Nell stroked the thin, trembling
and. "Why didn't you come to us?"
he demanded. I'VE have been back
or three months and we have been
boxing everywhere for you. Dick
early fell off his chair when you came
n the stage
.I did write" explained E,da, "but
here was no answer-and SO many
theirs dropped me that l.
1--WE were in Egypt" explained Nell.
There was some trouble with a GER
ain contract and Dick went to look
fter it himself and took me with him.
We never dreamed of what was hap
ening."
Its all right now said E1da, with
faint smile. 81 have made good as
Ir. Carmoptelle would say, and my
lture is assured"
Nell smiled at the suggestion, and !
ne arrival of a tray with coffee and
alad brought the conversation to a
alt. Afterward those who had not 8
Elsa Beverly in Elda Tes- I
"a. the entertainer, crowded in to !
h