The Argosy — page 304: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“yO the Début of Mademoiselle Agathe. her last week she was an angel, and asked her to supper. He'd better not try that game again,” continued he, moodily fingering his moustache. “ Que voulez-vous, Monsieur Jules? Tt is not the child’s fault if people will pay compliments. But when she is Madame Laroche ——-” ‘“‘When she is Madame Laroche, Mére Boquillard, there will be an end of singing lessons, I can promise you that. Agathe “‘ Who's talking about me?” exclaimed a merry voice at the door of the loge, followed by the entrance of its owner, a pretty, fresh-looking girl, with hazel eyes and a profusion of chestnut hair. ‘“ Bonjour, Jules. I’ve walked so fast that I’m quite out of breath; ail on your account, sir, 1 was so afraid of missing you. Now, do tell me, is my part a nice one? And what is my stage name tobe? You haven't forgotten to think about it, surely ! ” “One question ata time, young lady,” said her lover, smiling. “ As to the part, you haven’t got it yet, and if you don’t, you'll hardly want any other name but your own: until,” he added, fondly stroking her wavy hair, ‘‘ you take mine. However,” he rejoined, noticing her dis- appointed look, “I Aave thought about it. What do you say to Mdlle. Beauval ? ” . ‘ Beautiful!” cried Madame Boquillard, nsing from her chair in a transport of enthusiasm, and nearly upsetting the peas. “I fancy I see it in large letters on the affiche.” Agathe shook her head. | ‘‘T think I have chosen a prettier one,” said she. ‘What do you say to Mdile. Fleury ?” “What can I say except that nothing can be more appropriate to so charming a flower as yourself?” was the gallant reply. ‘So that point is settled. If we could only manage the other matter as easily! And that reminds me, I must see Darbois before Amanda gets hold of him, or adieu to your chance of playing Emestine, little one.” “Ts Mdlle. Amanda so very fascinating?” inquired Agathe, demurely. * She thinks herself so, at any rate,” replied Jules, with a laugh. “And as long as she fascinates the public, Darbois will probably think so too. Besides, a very intimate friend of hers is part-proprietor of the Non- pareil, and therefore, you understand, the manager can’t refuse her anything, so I must go to work cautiously. Meanwhile,” added he, drawing a manuscript from his pocket, I have had the part copied out, and if you like it ——” ‘¢ Tf I like it !” interrupted Agathe, in a reproachful tone. ‘‘ How can you say such things, Jules, when you know I have set my heart on playing it!” | “ Without having read a line of it!” retorted Laroche. “Cette con- flance m’honore !” COLMA a) lDOO|KKS.EO