Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-08-15

for them. How overjoyed they we're
when relief came! But why will they ask
so many questions? They want to know
all about MY work. Well. there's no use
thinking of that. They could not under
stand. just suppose they knew i had
performed ON Sunday. But God will sure
ly forgive mel had TO do it. The work
is honest and l shall always keep myself
from the real theatrical ffe. 1t need new
er hurt me-
August 81 can't imagine what is the
trouble. The agents don't give me any
more engagements, i haven't a single one
in prospect and l have been idle now for
two weeks. What can 1t mean?''
September 1S.--I've trudged and trudged
about this city in the heat until my feet
ache with WEAKNESS. Every theater is
booked up. l haven't sent money home
for Il mouth. Oh, what shall | do. I'm
nearly desperate again. The sight of Four
teenth street. with its signs Of theatrical
agents, turns me positively sick. They
have no use for my act
October Sat last 1 understand. A we'll
meaning manager has opened my eyes to
my deficiencies. lie says my act is tame
needs more ginger with a coon song or
two and a cake-walk thrown in. He says
i must not wear long dresses. He adj
vises ME TO get up some chic, dashing cos
tune If l mean to make a real success in
this business. He says my appearance
ana stage bearing are attractive enough
Cn fact he said q number of nice things
about my looks), but that / need these
other things to please the general public.
He tells me ] would command twice as
much salary and play only two shows per
day. but how can i ever sing those songs
and how can Lob, / mt simply can't
October 1s.-Yes, yes. l can do it: /
can do anything to save Alice. Mother
writes that she has grown SO delicate the
doctor insists that she must have n
change of climate during the coming win
ter. He urges them to send her-says it
is absolutely necessary to her recovery
She has been Ill ever since that first time
mother wrote. Poor, patient little thing,
VIII sing soon songs, French songs, and
wear abbreviated skirts? Yes. I'm neryed
up to 1t at last. I know can do II and
make a success. Applause shall be mine,
FOR applause means money and money
means "A change of climate for dear Alice.
December We'll. II is all done. l am
a full-bedged 'vaudeviilian' OF the most
pronounced type. They have sent Alf,.
away. AZ last the great stress is over l
have sufficient ready money for my needs
and the family are living in comfort-so
no matter about the rest
Sylvette let the diary slip into her Ian
and read no more. After awhile she rose
YEARLY to prepare for bed. AS she did
~ S'NS OtAS n VI " - PAPER OH the
floor. and picking it up discovered il to
be a postscript to her mothers letter.
How strange l did not notice II BEFORE
she murmured.. A sudden apprehension
seized her. There were only n few words.
~. 81 don't want to worry YOU.
Sylvie, but Alice liz not improving az we
had hoped. or course there may be no
cause for alarm-perhaps we are expect
ing the change too quickly, but the doctor
writes that she Is still very frail. Try not
to worry. dear. Mother.'
Sylvette slept wretchedly that night.
Frightful dreams startled her out of slum-
Der every hour or so. Once she awoke
crying. alice! Alice!" and sat up in bed.
shivering with terror.
She had to force her spirits next day to
appear az scfntillant as was expected of
the radiant Sylvette. a heavy hand
seemed clutching at her throat. but she
Hung off the somber influence. She wrote
home at once and sent a letter brimful OF
tenderness to Alice. She began to feel
hopeful once more.
On the last night of her engagement,
however. she grew restless and forebod-
ing again. She was feverishly alert when
night came. 1t was almost time for her
turn and Nancy was adding a finishing
touch to the jaunty costume when a tele-
gram was brought in by one of the stage
hands.
For me?' questioned Sylvette. Again
that hand clutching her throat. She OPP
ened the telegram slowly, in a dazed WAN.
and stood reading the words over and
over. Alice died this morning. Come at
once. Mother
Sylvette stared dumbly.
What is 1t. Miss Sylvette? Lord. look
ut her lips
Are you sure This is right, Sylyette
Yes, ma'am," returned the startled
youth in wonder.
She took the pencil and blank and wrote
mechanically:
II start tonight. Sylvie.''
A loud rap sounded on the door and an
alarmed voice-Sylvette! Sylvette. your
cue
Mus 1 go on? My sister is dead" Her
voice sounded strange to her, like that of
another person. The applause of the au-
dience came back to her like the sound
of Il waterfall.
Good God, woman. ] can't let YOU off
now. It's too late They're waiting for
you. The Thornley, sister disa ppoipted US,
too-one of ems sick. I am sorry, but.
Sylvette was on the stage. smiling,
sparkling. Her hands were like ice. There
u roaring in her ears, but the habit
OF affected buoyancy asserted itself. She
sang, she piroutted. Her eyes flashed with
even more than their accustomed brill
liancy. Her audience thought her amaz-
ingly spontaneous tonight. Gay. winning,
rollicking. she captivated them az never
before. 1t WAS all a nightmare to her. The
rapturous applause, the sea of upturned
faces. Alice is dead; Alice is dead, The
words kept beating on her brain TN IL
seemed the tension would snap.
When she reached the shelter of her
dressing room she did not cry out nor
swoon. She heard as in a dream voices
murmuring: Poor aylvette:- too bad
about little sister Can't We help you?,
How brave You are"