Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-04-13

SlIl tIlSu W SGdmul0f IOTJn a
reply, but could not. She left
the theater, and took her way
homeward. She could not help
thinking of the beautiful lady
and her magnificent dress,
sparkling with jewels. What
: could she want with her ?
I Even bright pictures of the
future arose before her vision,
and these dulled the sharpness
of her grief at the disappoint-
meht she had met with. She
did not tell her father what she
had done OF that she had an
engagement to meet one of the
great ladies Of the theater.
The next day, Marie called
at the place designated upon
the card. Her visit was q
heightened one; but when she
emerged from the lady's pres
ence, she looked comparatively
happy -ar a.-.a
One of the first things Marie
did, after returning home, was
to find the half-fnished play,
which her father was writing !;
and alone, in her own apart
ment, she passed much time
over it. She was also from her
home q great deal, during which
time her father supposed her to
be at her labor in the tailoring
establishment where she occa-
sionally found employment.
But if she became cheerful
Immediately after her first visit
to the theatrical lady, it was
not long after before she began
Ito be thoughtful--then sad.
|She became very pale, and at
the time the conversation be-
tween herself and father, de-
lscribed in the first part of this
Isketch, took place, she looked
as if she could endure but lit
tie more either Of physical or
mental exertion.
The father had observed She
increasing paleness of his child,
and it had caused him much
grief. But he said nothing of
1.-THE matter, for he did not know
how he was to remedy it. He
had been hopeful, but now had
almost given up in despair.
AS evening approached, poor
Maria grew still paler; but she
spoke words of hope and COM
fort to her father, and that pa
rent could not but look upon
her in admiration as we'll as
pity.
The hour came when business
called her away. She pressed
her marble-cold lips to her
fathers brow. She held his
hand in her own for a moment,
land tear-drops fell upon it.
Then she said, Father, the
darkest time is just before the
dawn. Cheer up. I will re-
turn in a few hours, and to-
morrow we will be richer than
we are to-day
The daughter left the wretch
! ed home. But no sooner had
she taken her departure than
the father began to think other
last words. They were strange.
What could they mean? What
act did Maria contemplate?
At first a suspicion swept
across his neutrality-suspicious.
gradually assuming form. But
as the thought pressed upon
his brain it began to madden
him, and he tossed about upon
his bed of pain, calling for his
child-praying her safe return.
Midnight came and passed.
and still Maria came not. Seve-
raj times had the old actor re-
solved TO arise and go in search
of her; but he had not the
strength to do so, and as often
would fall back upon his pill
low, groaning in the agony of
his soul.
Daylight came, and still
Maria had not arrived. But
just as the sun began to throw
It's golden rays over the city,
a carriage was heard to drive
lup before the actors house.
He heard a foot fall upon the
stairs, and he recognized the
footstep.
In a moment after, Maria
burst into the room. She rush
led to her fathers side, and
/! throwing her arms around him,
she wept.