Jo's Boys

charming and wholesome. Bess was very fond of her little cousin; Mrs Amy felt that whether her niece was an actress or not she must be a gentlewoman, and gave her the soc

sk, and merry, and both were great favourites with the neighbours, whos

f the villas and retired thither to rest and 'create' a new part for next season. She saw no one but a friend or two, had a private beach, and was invisible except during her daily drive, or when the opera-glasses of curious gazers were fix

for the stage needs just such women to purify and elevate the profession which should teach as well as amuse. If kindly Miss Cameron had known what passionate love and longing burned in the bosom of the little girl whom she idly observed skipping over the rocks, splashing about the beach, or galloping past her gate on a Shetland pony, she would have made her happy by a look or a word. But being

o try to drown myself when she is bathing. I can't sink, and she'd only send a man to pull me out. What can I do? I will see her and tell her my hop

he and Bess prepared for a swim, a fishing

s over, and he always manages things nicely. That will be better than any queer prank of yours,' answered Bess,

e she should have to go in then because in the morning people stared so and went on her beach. Come and have a

as free from other bathers, and the babies greatly admir

ie suddenly gave a clutch that nearly se

he only would drown a little and let me save her! or even ge

. Pretend we don't see her, that's only civil,' answered Bes

ses out. Then when we can't help seeing her, we'll swim back as if anxious to retire. That will impress her, and she may call to th

ly as she stood waist-deep in the water, looking down. She called to her maid, who seemed searching along the beac

swimming away in her best style towards this long desired haven of joy. Bess followed more slowly, and both c

. Will the little boy find me a long stick? I'll kee

y,' answered Josie, laughing as she shook the cur

sand is covering it fast. I value it very

osie, to come up with a handfu

disappointed, but amused at the girl's dismay as sh

ht!' and with one long breath Josie dived again, le

Miss Cameron, looking at Bess, whom she

es it'; and Bess smiled happily at this

o see him soon. Too tired before. Quite savage. Better now. Ah! here's our pearl of

ds had failed again, her courage had not; and with a resolute shake of her wet hair, a

pool for it! Now, then!' and down went the mermaid quite out of sig

the lady, sitting down on a half-covered stone to w

father: 'Josie longs to be an actress, and has waited fo

d have let her in; though usually I avoid stage-st

e out of the sea, followed by a purple face as Josie came up so blin

tress-the dignity and grace with which she would enter and tell her ambitious hopes, the effective dress she would wear, the witty things she would say, the deep impression her budding genius would make. But never in her wildest moments

t it! I'm

ou to take all that trouble for me. How shall I thank you?' asked the lady, loo

the effect of the gesture, and answered in a beseeching tone

you will know. I'll abide by what you say; and if you think I can-by and by,

d talk; you shall show me what you can do, and

; so does mamma. I'll take it bravely if you say no; and if you

he roses when you've won them. I think you have the courage, and this pr

at impetuous Josie wanted to kiss her; but wisely refrained, though her

d the tide is going out. Come, Josie,' said th

ssed her court, but remained on her weedy throne watching the two lithe figures race over the sand with twinkling feet till they were out of sight. Then, as she calmly bobbed up and dow

d Aunt Amy looked out her most becoming white dress for the grand occasion; Bess lent her most artistic hat, and Josie ranged the wo

thought that her fate was soon to be decided; for, like all young people she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature, qui

s moment for me. Miss Cameron knows that, and will tell you so. Kiss me, Aunt Amy, since mamma isn't here. If you say I look nice, I'm quite satisfie

and triumphs so well that she soon forgot herself, and tried to imitate Mrs Siddons as Lady Macbeth, looking up at the engraving as she held her nosegay like the candle in the sleep-walking scene, and knit her youthful brows distressfully while murmu

ng, if you say I may,' cried Josie, forgetting h

nging into the middle of things at once, well knowing that

lowers; and I loved to bring them, as I'd no other way to thank you for your great kin

on my word, I think I've found the fairy out-these are so like,' she added quickly, as her eye

adoration and humility: 'I couldn't help it; I admire you so much. I know it was a

touched the woman, and, drawing Josie to her, sh

I'm tired of praise; and love is very swee

for art. Now she felt that this might have been true; and pity for the splendid, lonely life made her face very eloquent, as

et, of course. All begin with tha

ia's mad scene, and gave it very well, having been trained by the college professor of elocution and done it many times. She was too young, of course, but the white gown, the loose hair, the real flowers she scattered over the imaginary grave, added to the illusion; and she sung the songs sweetly, dropped her pathetic curtsies, and vanished behind th

ter than I expected,' call

atest effort, she burst into Juliet's balcony scene, ending with the poison and the tomb. She felt sure that she surpassed herself, and waited for appl

did it very well. I'm s

n a child like you know of love and fear and death? Don't

clapped

it was best. There you showed real talent. It was both comic and pathetic. That's art. Don't lose it. The Portia was good declamation. Go on wit

, sitting meekly on a stool, much crestfallen, bu

me, though my words have proved true, and they are what I advised them to be-good wives and happy mothers in quiet homes. A few have kept on, and done fairly well. One you will hear of soon, I think; for

of the good plays people never tire of seeing. I don't expect to be a Mrs Siddons or a Miss Cameron, much as I long to be; but it does seem as if I had something in me which can't come out in any way but this. When I act I'm perfectly happy. I seem to live, to be in my own world, and each new part is a new friend. I love Shakespe

at filled it to overflowing. Miss Cameron understood, felt that this was something more than a girlish whim; and when she answered there was a new tone of sympathy in her voice, a new interest

as to a comrade. 'It is an education in itself, and a lifetime is not long enough to teach you all his secret. But there is much to do before you can hope to echo his words. Have you the patience, courage, strength, to begin at the

than to her hearer, but Josie answered quic

n spite of all the bi

rget it. A good omen

stretched her white hands as if taking some invisible gift. Then added in a dif

needed, and a single talent makes a very imperfect character. Cultivate mind and body, heart and soul, and make yourself an intelligent, graceful, beautiful, and healthy girl. Then, at eighteen or twenty, go into training and try your powers. Better

wil

ion of the stage. Perhaps you are she; but remember, mere beauty and rich costumes do not make an actress, nor are the efforts of a clever little girl to play great characters real art. It is all dazzle and sham, and

ked to and fro, full of the noble regret all cultivat

eople's hearts, and make them laugh and cry and feel better. Uncle says that sort is my style, and I must not think of tragedy. But i

is a special gift, this power to bring tears and smiles, and a sweeter task to touch the heart than to freeze the blood or fire

mas, with a nice part for me. A simple little thing, but I c

us interview, she felt that she must go. Catching up her hat she went to Miss Cameron, who stood looking at her so keenly that she

ll be very glad to see me settled at my books again. I can study now with all my heart, because it is to hel

sake. It is fit for a mermaid, and will remind you of your first dive. May

rder on Josie's proud bosom; then lifting the happy little face, she kissed it very tenderly, and watched it go s

solution which she wore. Pride and satisfaction, and a new feeling of responsibility both sobered and sustained her, and she felt that any amount of dry study and long w

ss Cameron's advice was good. Mrs Amy was relieved at the prospect of delay; fo

heir neighbour for her kindness; while Bess, who loved art of all kinds, fully sympathized with her cousin's

le the girls sat by, drinking in every word with the delight all artists feel in their own beautiful world, and learning to see how sacred goo

e. The right string had been touched, and even French exercises and piano practice became endurable, since accomplishments would be useful by and by; dress, manners, and habits were all interesting now, because 'mind and body, hea