New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-16
For the Republican,
LA BELLE MARIE ;
THE PHMA DONNA OF THE FRENCH OPERA.
A Tale of New Orleans.
BY ONEIDA.
[OoNTINuED i

Il ~ u v n u j
Come Marie, you need the quiet of your
little room after SO much excitement; lean
heavily upon me and we will return home.h
At the door of her room Marie kissed her
father good night and entered, but not to
sleep, late as the hour was, for she could
see nothing but the Opera and La Roses
burning skirts; but when the little head
seemed bursting with pain there was again
a sense of an unseen presence, the air be-
came soft and balmy and kissed away the
fever Of the brain, and soon sleep curtsined
the weary eyes beneath soft lashes.
At the table next morning, in course Of
| conversation, Marie drew from her father
where La Rose had her apartments, and as
soon as the hall door closed upon his re-
treating tread she stepped to the kitchen
"Francise, will you please make the incest
bowl of custard you ever made, and some Of
your delicate tea cakes. wish to take
them to a sick friend. Make them very
nice, and will arrange them very beauti-
fully on the silver waiter amid flowers and
green leaves. She to whom l would offer
them is very beautiful and very great.n
"They shall be nice enough for an en-
press, La Belle Marie"
Two hours after as Marie arrived at the
st. Charles, colored waiter answered her
ring. ....
"Show me to Madam Roses room.n
"There is no such person here, Miss"
Marie raised herself to her fullest height,
and looked the man steadily in the face.
81 know that La Rose, the prima dona of
the opera, has rooms here; she who was SO
badly burned last night; and l must see
her, .r .#.Gr. E r.-Is 81 ErE
'Ah! excuse me, Miss. She is Madam
Grey, will see if you can enter her room. y
Marie had no idea of risking refusal, SO
she followed his steps to the door, and ar
rived just as the physician was leaving the
room, and advanced full before him.
doctor, may see Madam La Rose?"
| "Why, child, she is suffering very much;
but as have not been able to induce her
to take mouthfpl of food since the acct
dent, perhaps it will be best for you to try"
Baising the napkin he added:
eyes child, go in. That dainty bit looks
as though it would tempt an appetite where
none existed; but will introduce you to
| nurse, or you would be likely to be turned
out wit bout ceremony pfssua sIs
Marie raised herself erect and her eye
flashed as if she could not conceive of such
treatment to La Belle Marie. .r .lsr 4.
Nurse, let this young lady have admit
lance here when she likes. will be re-
aponaibIa for 'har eron5 haharioy
These words brought burning flush to
Marie's face. There had never been mo-
ment in her life when she thought guar
antee for her good conduct necessary. She
had spent her life with two beings who wor.
shipped her, and had yet to learn that the
world might hold her to stricter account.
As La Rose opened her eyes the nurse
moved to place the waiter Lefore her; but
Marie declined.
| 81 am used to attending my father in
sickness, and will be very quiet and gem
| tle." ce-z - AsfH trs sT uaTEa
Marie tenderly raised the sufferers head
and placed the custard to her lips. ,3 .
"Only taste little mouthful, and if it II
not good you need not swallow it.''
La Rose looked up into the beautifp
girlish face, saw the expression of devotion
and sympathy making every feature radi
antly lovely, and smiled on her evei
through her great suffering; then tasted tn
delicate custard, and swallowed half of 1t.
i Marie adjusted the pillows nicely, aeste'
herself beside the bed, and soothed her t.
sleep by the magic touch of love and gentle
Il ness. -'HHsH
From that hour she was regularly In
/ stalled by the sick bed in all hours Whe
her father was absent from home. am
Madam Grey soon learned to watch he
! retresting form with shaded brow, an
listen to her approaching steps with srni
Z ing face. Days and weeks passed by prett
much the same, until La Rose wss ono
: once more well, and her name again upo
!. the programme Of the Opera. ! a-t
v Marie was rejoicing over the recovery ,
the woman whom, save her father, 81
/. loved best of the whole earth, when 81
: was called to the sick bed Of him who wi
!. the strength Of her young life-the dee
t. joy of her exiatence. Neither day or nigl
g did she give 10 bodily repOse, but with
prayer ascending TO heaven with evei
a heaye of her breast she watched his ven
breathing, cooling the fevered brow,
q warming the chilled feet 81 The frat m
ment it was needed; indeed il seemed tn
q her tender care alone held the lying spa
y in the emaciated form. Days had mergl
Z into weeks ere Mr. Grevot began 70 ran
and then his recovery was very slow. Aal
saw that he would no more be able 70
z sumo his place in the orchestra, which h
4. been flIed BY a younger man during
: illness,
In the troubled thoughts Of the lone STR
be. ele opening out before her which allied b
~ niad and tried her heart the sweet 60
aeleo,Qsss Of IN angel spressnce comfort
IN, and ~ gihened her, and abe followed ;
IN, plicltl1 ttf neemed impressions ofitscf
"a ton Ueap these she resolved upon goi
= Fl to La Rose Is eek counsel of her greai
- knowledQe. - 4I.l .r s2f15
with this yisS Ne CALLED The rsrsst a.
1ast ers Of her little ssll'll' and with sxquis
n taste wrought them ms bouquet reso
bling temple Thia ~. Resigned iar
~ r'lII H.aI IO = I|rII NJ