The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-03-30
Dorothy. Odd
Audience
By MALCOLM BROWN

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.; NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Copyright, 1921, Western Newspaper Union
The wonderful afternoon had at last
arrived. Dorothy Clifford was to make
her debut as q pianist at Claridge
hall, and Eustace, her fance was to be
there.
Claridge hall was not the finest hall
In the city. 1t was, however, one Of
the leading centers of music.
Dorothy had been educating herself
as pianist for seven years. She had
many teachers, too. She had hoped to
make music her life career. But many
girl who dreams Of a life career sur
renders it when the right man comes
along. And with EustaCe to care for,
the piano had become less valued
friend.
"Still, Eustace,' she had said, II
can play once In while at first, even
after we are married, and make a few
extra dollars. Don't you think so?"
Eustace had been dubious, but Dor
othy's father was emphatlcally In
agreement with her.
you're going to give that piano re-
cital, anyway, Dorothy" he said.
Dorothy's father was not very
worldly wise, but anyway he had his
will. And so the Hateful afternoon ar
rived.
When Dorothy arrived with her
father and Eustace and saw the plac-
ards in front Of the building her
heart gave little throbs Of pride. Dor
othy Clifford they announced, in
great black letters, under her picture.
dorothy Clifford" and then, in small
er letters, "glves her pianoforte re-
cital in Claridge hall'-the last words
very big again-"on Friday next at
2::3O."
Eustace squeezed her hand and her
father twisted his white mustache and
strolled along as proud as a king.
Broom 4, Miss Clifford" they told
her inside. So Dorothy had to say
good-by to her father and sweetheart
and hurry round to the musicians en-
trance. She walked up and down cor
rldors-for Claridge hall is quite
large place-and at last found room 4.
"They are waiting for you," said an
old gentleman at the stage entrance
a little CURLY, Dorothy thought. The
house was full.
Dorothy walked forward toward the
grand piano, which, rather oddly, she
thought, occupied a corner Of the
stage instead Of the center, such
! salvo Of hand-clapping broke forth that
the tears came into her eyes.
She could hardly see to read the
music that she unrolled and placed
upon the stand.
The first part consisted Of Chopin
nocturne. Dorothy sat down and
struck the opening chords.
At first she was timid. It was her
first appearance In public, and the
presence Of these strangers discon-
certed her little, but before she had
played half dozen bars she had for
gotten where she was in the Joy Of
playing, and, before she knew it, the
piece was ended. Dorothy got up and
bowed.
To her amazement there was not a
single handicap.
Not one person out Of that vast
audience had been sufficiently i'm
pressed to applaud. There was not a
whisper. They sat In their seats In
stony silence.
Dorothy controlled herself with DIFF
flculty. She went slowly out through
the stage exit. She would not 60
back. She would 60 home, She
dorothy! Where have you been?"
! 1t was Eustace, Eustace standing at
-; her side. She tried to hide the tears
that filled her eyes.
Dorothy! That's the wrong room.
That's Number 3. We have been wait
ing for you quarter Of an hour. The
audience Is getting impatient"
Tie absurdity Of the mistake sent
the girl into a reaction of hysterlcal
laughter. TO whom had she been play
ing, then? She would not yield now ;
she would go on the right stage and
play her part. Otherwise-well, her
father would have to pay back the box
Office receipts, and that would mean
three or four hundred dollars, at
least. Mechanically she entered Mum.
Der 4.
And as she entered just as hearty a
round Of applause greeted her as be-
FORE But when she ended the house
went wild with enthusiasm. Encore ~
they yelled. They called her back
three times in each Of the first two
parts and six times at the end. And,
as the papers said next day, Dorothy
had arrived"
"Who-who were they, Eustace,
she asked, at the first opportunity.
| Eustace threw back his head and
laughed.
Dorothy" he said, "your first pub.