The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-09

QFaWn COWarQt our manager, VINO was
moro distinguished for his culture and
goodness of heart than for any brilliancy
as an actor. Still I was fond'of him.
daughter also, who resembled her
father in these qualities; and was at
tracted to her more by her intellect and
amiability than by her beauty and ta-
lent, and she loved me with oil the pure
inclination of tender sister. The ia
mily became dearer to me every day, and
many a time thought real earnestly of
taking the good Bertha home with me
as my wife, although L had then but lit
tie real love toward her, and not so much
rs she deserved.
'Thus did live, quiet and contented,
in circle of honored friends, busyiug
myself in my profession, and fiudiDg my
self, for the first time after my vagabond
actors hfe,, in orderly relationship,
AMONG educated companions and good,
amiublc mon. Those were happy days,
and even to-day often think of that
beautiful, joyous time. But all vanished.
''One day new actress was introduced
to our company. / saw her for the first
time at rehearsal. stood near her, and
received an impression for my whole life.
Auguste, for that was her name, COM
bined the greatest beauty with an en-
chanting pleasantness of manner and
Gods grace to her, and impressed us all
by her spirit. The first evening of her
appearance was On event for the theatre.
The public reyeled,. and fell in love
with the genialtartiste, and thought that
L : had really foIfid my ideal. was
much: engaged then, and often played in
the same piece with her, and did not fail
to come near her as often rs possible.
My advances were friendly received. 1
soon 'hattered myself that L possessed her
heart, and soon. she allowed me to ac-
company her to her home and visit her.
DAY by day our relations became
closer and more intimate, and after few
weeks considered myself. the happiest
man in the world, as [ received kiss
from her ravishing lips for the first time.
ahd .aheard the confession of her love.
My happiness needed nothing but the
blessing of the church, but Augustc put
off the desired day under different pre-.
texts.
"Our intended union, however, re-
mained no secret. / received the con-
gratulations of my colleagues, who ap-.
peared to envy me of my brilliant con-
quest, and the director wished nie"thc'
greatest happiness, and not only renewed
my contract, but essentially improved
my relations. Only my good old friend,
the manager, was not pleased with my
choice, although he appeared just as kind
as ever. But in spite of this, a certain
ccldness had sprung up between us, and
of course [ did not visit his family SO
often. ms every free moment gave to
Auguste.
"But Auguste became constantly
dearer to me, and my heart felt as if it
could never attach itself to another. 1
loved her with n warmth which I had
never before known; it was boundless,
and trusted her implicitly. A doubt
as to her purity appeared to me as crimi-
nal, and my belief in her innocence was
as perfect rs in my own existence. And
in that light she was looked on by all,
for she had never given to the world any
thing which might be seized upon to her
dishonor. The only opinion ever heard
Of her was one of the purest morality
and modesty, and her beautifully sad
eyes and childlike smile helped to in
crease tho trust in her"
A deep heart-sigh came from the actor;
deep shadow of ferceness swept over
his noble face; he paused awhile as if to
regain composure, and then continued:
"At last Auguste appointed our mar
ringe day. Ny feelings then cannot be
expressed now. I procured house in
readiness for us both. and felt childish
JOY as watched every article of furni-
ture brought in, and was perfectly beside
myself when pictured my leading my
own Auguste to her home and. making
her the proud mistress of all. Bat in
spite of all these preparations for our
marriage, I did not neglect my own
duties Mt the theatre. On the contrary,
1 surprised both the public and the di-
rector with extraordinary progress Tint
made. My love only seemed to increase
my inspiration, and felt an intense de-
light in even the most difficult role. Ono
day, one of our hero players was taken
suddenly sick. and L was surprised by
receiving note from the manager, re-
questing me to take the sick actors part
as tile chief role in ''Othello," in which
Auguste played the part of Desdemona
although L felt highly honored by
this selection, yet 1 undertook the ap-
pointed part with: certain reluctance
!tThe character of the Moor was far from
me then, and agreed neither with my
voice nor myself. Ikncw no jealousy; /
hol ,,ovoY Fou,,I tl,n ,,n,,o,o of 1ooa;y,l