The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-10-20

but hope had not entirely died out Of
her heart. She had consoled herself
with the thought that at least Violet
would never be his, but now lie must
know that she had deliberately told him
falsehoods, aud must think of her with
scorn and contempt
81 cannot go on" che whispered to
the actor at her side " NJ
''But you must" he replied 6ercely-
'you will spoil everything"
With powerful effort she recovered
from her momentary faintness and went
on with her part. How glad she was
when the play was nearly over. What
a mockery the words of the last chorus
she was compelled to sing seem to her:
"0h! what full delight
Through my bosom thrills,
And o milder glow +
In my heart instlls '+
Bliss, unfelt beforel .....f
Hope, without alloy!
Speak, with raptured tones,
OF that heart the JOY ~ ...
1t was over at last, flowers were cast
at her feet, but she did not notice them.
While the grand opera house was grad
ually being vacated, the prma donna
was pacing the floor of her dressing
room, her lips white, and her face pale
with anguish. " "
Violet's astonishmept was great at
seeing India on the stage, and she could
scarcely believe the evidence other own
senses. She remembered to have heard
India say once, that ifever she should
happen to be thrown upon her own re-
source, she would join an operate
troupe, but Violet had ridiculed the
idea most numerically, and after a time
India had agreed with her; but why
was she singing in public now7
The next morning as she was coming
out of the breakfast room, she met Mrs.
Dean, the old lady who had been the
housekeeper at the residence of Mr..
Richmond. She seemed glad to meet
Violet, who invited her into her own
private sitting room. Mrs. Dean said
that she was travelling with Miss India,
and that they were stopping at the same
hotel with Violet.
"Oh. is India here3" asked Violet,
''Will you tell her that would like. to
see her fyou please7 and Mrs. Dean
left the room. Violet had forgiven In
dia's past conduct, and thought only of
the many happy days they had spent
together. India was alone in the world
now, and Violets kind heart sympa-
thized with her. In few moments
Mrs. Dean returned and said that Miss
India begged Mrs. Morton to excuse
her. "She sees no one,'' continued the
old lady. "She stays in her own room
all day, and at night her maid and my
self accompany her to the opera. She re-
turns as soon as it is over, and stays in
her room until the next night. She is
not like. she used to be Mrs. Morton,
she was as secluded at home after Mr..
Richmond's death as she is now"
"But whatstrange freak induced her
to 90 upon the stage!" asked Violet.
at seems that Mr. Richmond had
made some unfortunate investment
with bis own and Miss India's money,
and had lost nearly all oft. This was
perhaps the cause of bis illness. There
was little of her property left, but not
enough to satisfy Miss India, and after
a reasonable time had elapsed she went
upon the stage. Her object now is to
get money enough to buy back the old
homestead, .,r
"WilI she succeed do you thiuk?p
"Oh yes Mrs. Morton, she gets
great deal of money for singing"
"Well," said Violet, "she has my
warmest sympathy for her misfortunes,
and if ever she is i'll, or in need of
friends, send for me-" rh