The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-29


have been content to take you rs my
wife, even though you were but the
little girl still bringing costumes to the
theatre. Since that is not to be, |
shall be proud of the day when dukes
and earls shall bend at your feet. You
need not smile, Marie; such things
have been before now.
"Iou good Edward" she said, talk
ing his hand in both her own; | shall
never forget what owe to you, never
thelcss. Should such day ever come
it will make one more reason WHY l
should not be yours. Success would
make me ambitious. l would not be
contented as the wife of poor clown,
unless l loved you more than / do
now. If / fail, should disappoint
you. You would not care for me then"
| He would have answered that asser-
ton quickly. but the interview was in
teruptcd at that moment by the call
boy.
Marie had no sooner left the side of
the clown to answer to the summons,
than her place was taken by one of
the ballet -dancers-a slight, dark eyed
girl, dressed, like her sisters practicing
upon the stage, in short petticoats and
long, woolleu stockings, Of fry red.
$50" she said, stopping before him
and curing her pretty lip contemptu-
oasly, 'you are in love with our grand
lady, are you?"
Edward darted frightened look at
her.
"Have yon been listening7 he asked.
'Bah! Why should take the trouble?
Her silly gabble isn't often worth list
Fenins to, fn sure. Only, when folks
select such queer times and places for
their love making, they ought to re-
member that canvas walls aren't so
solid as they appear. Do you known
why Marie Fron,lat won't marry YOU,
Edward Steele?"
'She does not love me-" said the
clown, simply.
"Stnff! She doesn't know what love
is-but that is not it. She won't have
you because yau are a clown, that's
ali. She has got fine ideas i'm her head
and yon have yourself to blame for it;
parity. She forgets that you have filed
and can still fill, higher roles than the
ones yon have been playing lately. She
voice which brought you frout your
legitimate line down to the position
you occupy now. She forgets that she
has never been anything better than
dresser all her life. There's no merit
in her name and her beauty; but she
doesn't think of that. It's pride. Ed
ward Steele pride and nothing else"
''She has genius,n. said Steele. "Her
dreams may be fullflled."
Never! Listen to me; hate that
woman, with all my, heart and soul.
A man whom | have loved better than
my own life has been seduced by her
cursed beauty she is beautiful
and her false smiles. He left me under
circumstances hardest of all for u wo-
man to bear did ME wrong hardest
of all wrongs for woman to forgive
After she had won him from me, she
turned him adrift. wonld not receive
him back; she would have nothing to
do with him. But that is neither here
nor there. 1t was she who took my
love away from me, and l hate her.
There is nothing would not do to
compass her ruin; and / will cause her
utter failure tonight; if it be in my
girl but even such as have feelings
and hearts which can be hurt.p
"Ninette, Ninette what madness is
this ? How can you cause her failure ~
The girl smiled, and her black eyes
glitttcred.
''Do yua know who plays tMclnotte'
to her 'ranline ~
eyes, certainly. 1t is Harcourt."
"And would yon know who is the
man of whom have spoken r.
"Not Harcourt, surely r.
s1Thc same. You need not look so
surprised. Sneh great actors fall in
love with very common people some
times. This one grew fond of dan
Ger, and then ola dressing gill. Har-
court will not play Claude Melnotte'
tonight
ale is on the stage at this moment
with Marie"
"True; but still lie will not be at
hand tonight when he is most
needed" fs @
",NIat do you mean 2" asked Steele,
wondering. SIS this some plot against
Marie ~ a 1asEes
"Perhaps so,n she said, smiling bit
terly. 3
| 81 shall not be surprised if Mr.. Har-
court becomes too tipsy to make his
appearance, when the curtain is rupg
up to night. You know his falling
/ :, ,,-o,ll II,