Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-12

HiSut performance
Should he even now follow Domeni-
cas- suggestion and send for a doctor
There was yet time. For an instant
the intense relief 10 himself was al
most more than he could withstand.
But then, on the other hand, he ar
gued, people who had never been i'll
were apt to think themselves dying
when there was nothing serious the
matter with them; and, If he gave up
tamely now, Generic would certainly
put himself forward to fill the va
cancy in the troupe. No; he must
fight for his post to the last gasp.
The halfhour struck as he formed his
final resolution, and with an effort he
flung back the rugs and coats which
were heaped up on the bed, staggered
to his feet, lit the gas, and, standing
before the mirror, threw himself into
one of Figaro's characteristic att
tudes. and sang bar or two Of Largo
al Facto:lm."
'Passable, If / can only hold out
he thought 10 himself And after all,
I'm not the first man who has made
merry and sung and paced the stage
with aching bones. Was Il Grimaldi
or Liston who made the people laugh
till they cried while he was bearing
torments?"
He made his way to the sitting
room and looked in to see If Sardoni
was there. but heard that he had al
ready started. Merlino joined him in
grumbling humor; Gigi trotted up
to say goodnight; and then, feeling
like one in bad dream. he found him
self walking through The street among
iostling passengers, and getting a.
sort OF confused vision of the bad
faces which always make their ap-
pearance in town where races are
being held. The distance between
the Royal hotel and the theater was
quite short but 1t seemed TO him that
night almost endless; it was only by
a great effort that he kept up with
Merlino, and when he reached his
dressing-room he felt as if he could
not have stood another minute.
You are Ill, sir?" said Sebastiano,
the dresser. with anxiety.
ITS all right; ! will rest min
ute he replied, breathlessly. Where
Is Signor Sardoni?'
in the green room, s,gnor; he
dressed earlier than usual Let me
call him"
NO, no." said Carlo. quickly. Il
am better alone"
And so perhaps he was, yet Sar-
donis detection panied him-his
friend had studiously avoided him the
whole day. The dresser proposed all
sorts Of remedies and Carlo patiently
endured the well-meaning chatter till
he was thoroughly equipped in his
Spanish costume and had been duly
made up then he begged that no
one might disturb him till The very
last moment. and sat crouched up by
the little fire, hearing in the distance
the familiar sounds of the overture
and the succeeding choruses. At last
his hour came.
quite time. signor," said Sebas.
tiano, rapping on the door. He threw
II open and walked slowly along the
winding passages, arriving at the
wings just In time to encounter the
chorus as they came OFF The stage
fa fe haA ~
abroad, and many good wishes and in
quiries were made in the quick, silent
italian fashion from his friends among
the chorus-singers. With very few
exceptions he was extremely popular
In the company, and much sympathy
was felt for him when 1t became ap
parent that he was far more fit to be
in bed than ii the theater. An attend
dant handed him a guitar. he heard
the orchestra begin the Introduction
to his song, and his thought flew back
from this miserable present 10 the
sunny past He remembered how on
his last day Of unalloysd happiness
he had sung this very song in Piale's
room in the Strada Mont Oliveto and
how the old maestro had been in de
SPAR over his refusal to 20 on the
stage
Thank Heaven. he is not here to-
night 10 be tortured by my bad per
formance," was his last reflection. as
he drew himself together and walked
on to the stage, The house was full
but by this time he had become
rather discerning in the matter of au-
dienCes. and perceived at once that it
had larger proportion than on the
previous night of the rrwdy element,
introduced into AshbGrough by the
races. He harG'y knew whether 10
be relieved or veXed at seing Mr.,
Britton and his son in the stalls. and,
indeed. was Abe 10 spare little time
to think OF them, since he had TO de-
vote all his powers TO conquering the
agony of nervousness which had over.
wheimed him. In vain he struggled
to feel himself Figaro. his head swan.
every bone in his body seemed to as,
sert itself achingly, as though pro
testing that it belonged 20 one Donati.
who ought 20 have been in his bed at
that moment, aad not at all To the
blithe, merry barber of Seville