El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-12

rather see you enter any other pro
fession."
But have decided now" she said
calmly. Today have signed the con
tract and sent it back to NJ. Beaufort.
with whom had q long business talk
the day before yesterday. He has been
exceedingly kind 10 US during these
dreadful months, and though 7 have
never appeared anywhere and he has
only heard me read parts, he has Of
fered me very good position at a
high salary Since father lost his MON
ey, have always wanted to earn some
money myself, and father is glad at
the offer I have received. particularly
because have always wanted to be-
come an actress. And honestly, Henri.
I do not see that you have any right
to interfere at all"
Only the right which my love Of
you gives me-, he said gently when
you consider that We are old friends.
that I have loved you since you were a
little girl, you viii surely forgive me
for trying to influence you. / do not
think your father always knows what
he IS doing and II your mother were
alive, she would think as I do You
are not fit for that kind Of life
know what am talking about There
IS good theater at Rouen. but have
seen something Of the life you are
about to enter, and I feel that you viii
not be able to live as members OF
these travelling companies do. That
your father has lost his fortune does
not compel you to go On the stage I
am not rich, but I have enough and
more for both OF Us, If you will con-
sent to become my wife"
She turned away from him and
burst into tears
4 cannot do it, Henri, and Won must
not mention 1t again You are full OF
preJudlces against the theatrical pro-
1eSs1on, which you do not know at
all NJ Beaufort is a thoroughlv re-
Ilned and cultured man, his company
consists Of refined people; and an
going TO take dear old Jeanette with
me, as I shall need a maid appre-
clate your love, but I am ambitious
and want to make a name for myself.
l feel that 1 have the gift OF acting.
Do not try to persuade me to desert
what know is my true vocation
She held out her hand TO him and
said:
But We part as friends. don't We.
Henri, and you will come and see me
play, when we come to Rouen. won't
'.Friendsi I love YOU Therese- and
friendship is not enough for me; but
/ VIII wait Tor you. because I feel
that some day you will come to me-
You must not be too sure Art is a
ny whole life TO it."
ACTORS for the first scene. ready
Already Hurry up, Jeanette. hand
me that vine of IVY
Jeanette did and said do not har-
time"
DO not talk. Jeanette. Are ny
flowers all right? Where are they?'
"Ophellas the curtain is going up
came deep voice from the stage.
Ophelia hurriedly arranged the wild
flowers in her hair
an coming. NJ Beaufort Hand
me the mirror Jeanette Why I am
too paler'
Nile Therese." called the voice, this
time impatiently.
Therese rushed towards the stage
followed by Jeanette, who carried her
boquet Of flowers, a glass OF lemonade
and a powder puff In the wings
stood N Beaufort dressed as Hamlet.
tapping the floor impatiently with his
foot.
you are late, Miss rhersss" he
said I have had to hold the curtain
Tor your sake You must change your
dress more quickly"
This was what wanted To tax n
You about" said NJ Beaufort, offerine
her chair Z do not wish YOU to
leave me. like your way of acting.
We play well together. and I need
you IN Paris I must talk 10 you now,
before you answer that letter. I am
a great admirer OF you, and we two
are destined to become famous il We
continue working together. VIII you
be my wife2"
Therese stood up and tried to speak.
but her voice failed her. She was too
overcome by anger and humiliation
Was It really possible that this man
mad asked her to become hts wife, be
cause they acted well together, and
was he afraid of losing her? She was
amazed.
I see that you are not able to give
me an answer right away he vent
on. Perhaps I ought to have waited
till the play was over / VIII come
back later. I think I know what your
answer will be. You are an artist
ike myself and know that all personal
wishes ought to be set aside when art
demands
He left the room with deem bow.
and Iherese went down to her dress
ing room TO change her dress for the
second act Jeanette was 50 scared
when she saw how pale her mistress
looked that she rushed upstairs and
out OF the theater TO get some smell
ing salts
As soon as Therese was alone she
TELL into a chair sobbing. She did not
hear the shouts and cries and the
sound OF hurrying footsteps over her
hea l1 and It was only when she
smeLed smoke that she ran towards
the door. The hall was fun Of smoke.
her way.
1nrOW the wardrobe trunks down
Lnere- too- she heard Beaufort crying
there Is nobody down there.
yes, am here Help Helpt@
she tried to reach the window, but
failed
They have all forgotten me- I
sail die down here" she moansd. and
tainted away.
When she came TO her head was
resting on Henri's shoulder and Jean
lette was holding her hand Before
the safety curtain went down Henri
had got on the stage and had met
Jeanette who was convinced that
Fherese must still be in her DRESSING
room. Henri rushed down there and
carried her out not q moment too
soon
The next morning, just at Therese
had written II. Beaufort that she
could never become his wife and that
she LETT his company, Henri came in.
she bIushed and gave him her hand
de took her into his arms
And will you let me continue act
ING, she asked a little later.
And you are quite sure you love
ne for my own sake and not because
/ am good actress2'
Yes L think might love you even
more II YOU were not. No, no. do not
-ook sad. he said. as he saw the tears
IN her eyes You are my Therese,
md u love her for her Drrrr,