Evening star., 1948-02-15

side overhung by a sack OF coats
and dresses which made 1t rather
hard to sit on and see to take off
ones shoes at the same time. Along
the opposite wall was a dressing
table and a long mirror which re-
flected crowd Of busy girls pulling
on tights and toe shoes, practicing
''rhonde de jambes" and tying their
hair with bright ribbons into neat
buns.
Hi, Nancy" I cried above the
confusion to my best friend who was
busy with temperamental upper.
adele! I thought you would
never get here. You'd better hurry.
The last class Is nearly over"
Quickly pulled on my pink
tights and crisp tarlatan costume,
tied my hair back with wide pink
ribbon and, borrowing q small piece
of lambs wool to keep my toes from
rubbing. slipped on my satin toe
shoes.
The classroom door few open, and
a large group Of younger girls
pushed its way into the dressing
room. It seemed as If the rather
light and graceful creatures of few
moments ago had turned into herd
of wild elephants trampling any,
thing and everything in it's path.
OF course, we of the intermediate
class considered ourselves far supe-
rior to those of the beginners class;
yet, each day, at this familiar tram
pling sound, we Rugged the walls as
this group passed to take over the
dressing room Then, transformed
into ethereal beings, we entered the
classroom with the usual "ballerina
waddle"-toes out. It was spa
cious room with large mirrors
stretching along one side. Along
the three other walls extended a.
bar at which we began our daily
exercises to the steady tap of the
teachers stick which kept strict
time with the music-one-tw three
one-two-etc. Glancing toward the
bar, noticed Marie had taken the
most desired spot, in the middle,
where she could easily see her re-
f1ection, arrayed in crisp, powder
blue tarlatan skirt, perform such
exercise, and, where the teacher
would be sure to see her. Walking
briskly by her, I took my place at
the bar and began limbering up.
We tediously performed each step
to the inspiring melodies of Chopin
and Tschaikowsky. Constant rivalry
existed between Marie and myself.
When one received a compliment,
the other vowed to work all the
harder. Once Marie, upon receiving
a compliment for a well-executed
"entre chat six" looked coyly at me
from beneath her long dark lashes.
Oh, how longed to get even with
her for that! Glass was over! We
could now do the nymph solo. took
my place, my heart in my throat,
and as the first notes of Chopin's
waltz filled the room, we glided
across the floor.
Afterward, the teacher slowly
came forward.
Marie, we have decided to let you
do the nymph solo, and, Adele. you
may be the leader of the elves"
Marie to be the nymph? Why,
there must be some mistake. Blinded
by tears. rushed to the dressing
room.
-. AS the last strains of Chopin's
waltz fade into the distance, the
theater is filled with applause.
wasn't she wonderful" exclaimSl
one of the little elves standing next
to me in the wings.
The fairly nymph, her fllmy wings
tinged by q golden moonbeam, curt
sizes to the audience. As the curtain
closes, red rose from some un-
known admirer falls at her feet;
and gracefully picking it up, she
slips into the wings. Upon seeing
me, the green satin of my elf cos
tune shining under the yellow
lights, she stops, her token of admi-
ration clasped tightly and lovingly
in her hands. Now, she slowly walks
toward me. and smiling, hands me
her precious possession, her rose.
(The Sunday Star will publish
each week an article 1Uritten bv
a student from a high school in
this Uicinity.)
OPEN A PHILIPSBORk