Ossining School for Girls - Quill Yearbook (Ossining, NY)

Page 89 text:

THE QUILL for 1916 The Play HE curtain had fallen on the second act. People spoke again, breaking an eager stillness. It was matinee at the Theater Francais. In the seats, a vivacious audience gesticulated with that charm peculiarly French. Bearing trays of long pink glasses of claret, punch, the little ushers in exquisite shepherdess costumes, threaded their way prettily through the crowd. ' Behind the scenes, the stage manager shouted directions, while scenery was being rapidly shifted and changed. In the midst of this confusion, a mes- senger boy called loudly: Telegram for Percinetfff A beautiful little French figure detached itself from a group of admirers, and, without hesitation, took the yellow envelope from the messenger's hand. There was Va slight pucker between her brows, as she hastened down a long. row of dressing rooms, and finally knocked at the door of one. I Who is it? Entrez! came avoice from within. It is I, Sylvettej' she said, hurriedly opening the door, and standing with her hands behind her back, her- head tipped saucily. And what Heaven-sent angel has brought you to me, Sy1vette? The man who said this had stepped eagerly for- ward as she came in. There was the light in his eyes that had made him famous since he had joined her company, a month ago. , Raising her hand as if in warning as she saw lj11S eagerness, she merely advanced a little, and, Wlth hands thrust still 'further behind her back, said ten- tatively: I have something for you. S3

Page 88 text:

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Page 90 text:

l1YIVll5 QUILL for 1916 --pm mg? Sylvette! W'hat could you have for me 'B ls it a glove,-a rose,-or is it- Not so fast, Percinet. It is this! and she laughed to see the disappointment in his face, as he took the telegram without looking at it. Sylvette,n-- llush! Percinet. You must hurry. Open it, so l may see, too. All unknowing, he opened it, Sylvette peeping merrily over his shoulder. From the stage came dull hammerings and grumbled orders. It was drawing perilously near the time for the curtain to go up on the last happy love scene. But in that little dressing room, nobody heard, nobody minded. A piece of yellow paper fluttered to the floor, unheeded. A man's face hlanched, and his shoulders heaved as he threw himself' into a chair. Some one knocked. A familiar voice called, You're on now, sir! ' Sylvette laid her hand on his shoulder gently. Come, she said, will you try-for me? 'The audience listened enraptured. All the romance in their every-day hearts was being satisfied hy tliis marvellous declaration of youth's passion. Young girls unconsciously grasped the arms of their comimanions. and fat dowagers sighed sentimentally. Ah! it' it were only that way, nowadays! But poor Percinet was saying to himself- I must do it for her. But it is so hard to thinkf' It seemed as if that act would never end, though always it had seemed so short. He looked into Sylvette's eyes and saw the pity there. I ean't do it! he said. It is too muchf' And with a look of shame, but utter heedlessness, he left the stage. A 84