South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-11-10

the blood rush into my wan face as l too
her little warm hand in both my own.
"0h! you are so much better. Ricardo
she said, her small lips trembling littl
as she looked atme. & We shall soon hay
you back in your place among u.s."
4 shook my head slowly. !" Never again
Ninette."
Why2' she asked in feigned astonist
ment- ---.-7. 50. 4 z
:" l shall never walk again anywhere,
think, Ninette; certainly not on the vibrat
ing WIRE know / must be a-be lam
all my life; and I'm trying, as lie herr
to get accustomed to the thought, and t
feel prepared."y 7i ss.71s
"No! no." she cried, quickly. "Doni
try to get accustomed to it, Ricardo. Tr,,
to think of getting well, and that will hel
you to do So"
"Will it2 Then will try" / answered
struggling with my sadness. When d
you leave here2" .isor--
"Leave here? o, 1 don't know. No
till you are well, / should think. Why
Ricardo" she added, as l smiled incredu
lousy, "dont you know that tonight W
are all going to perform for your benefit
You've not heard, you say2 Why, wha
has Monsieur found to talk to you about
then, for he talks to me of nothing else
| wish 1 could have brought you one o
the enormous bills, headed Ricardo
Benefit in letters as large as myself YoU
always were fond of reading your owl
name in the bills, weren't you 2"
"Yes-with yours, answered, intently
watching the bright face.
"Well, you would have seen mine, too
to-day, in letters almost larger, for Pm
going to-riden
"0f course" answered, with faint
smilo, while | wondered little at the
sudden change in her voice. "What audi.
ence would there be if you did not, Nj
nette 2"
"None," she laughed. "You must wish
me success before go away. But here's
Monsieur come to dismiss me. Pve beer
telling Signor Ricardo" she added, as the
manager joined us, "various particulars oi
his benefit. How very willing we all give
our services. How all the town rs patron
izing us.o
"And did she tell you," asked Mon
sieur, with pleased and excited look,
g hew | offered to double the price OF
admission if anyone would promise nov
city? and how she herself Immediately
proposed to perform her Moorish feat Pn
show you one of the handbills. Here it
is: "Mlle. Ninette, the equestrian queen,
on her magnificent steed Black Hack,
will"
go, no, no. you must not let herr [
exclaimed, in hasty fear. "0h! Monsieur,
il is most rash and dangerous" g.
Monsieur smiled as he pl. the handbill
back into his pocket, and Ninette arose
with a vexed glance across at him.
DO forbid her to do this, cried again.
q Mile. Ninette is such superb hOrse-
woman" the manager said, " that if she
feels she can accomplish it safely and bril-
liantly, / feel it too. And it will make
to-night's performance an unriyaled success
She has done it before, you know and a
gorgeous and unprecedented triumph it
was"
" 1t IS willful risking of life,' | faltered,
the tears starting in my weakness. 81
shall be miserable"
81 shall not" laughed Monsieur, rising.
81 have too much confidence in Ninette."
Don't think about it at all, Ricardo" /"
Ninette said, giving me her hand as she
to leave. al should never have
told you myself. because L know how
invalids worry themselves about the safest
and most trihing things. have made up
my mind to do it, and Black HGuk under
stands that same enfirelvo
"0hl do not venture it, Ninette," 1
appealing to her in bitter ear
nestness. "Say you will not.'
No-fcr l must" she answered, laugh
ing lightly, though she spoke with odd,
steady quietness.
Then covered my eyes with my feeble
hands, and let the tears flow on.
al shall come in and see you before the
performance" Ninette said, after a little
dismal pause.
"Will you, Ninette 2' l asked eagerly,
as l battled with my eowardice. "Will
you come in just as you go2"
q hardly know about that" she an
'wered, with quaint, shy smile.
Monsieur had left the room then, and
Ninette was standing opposite me, about
10 follow him.
g Ninette,n said, slowly, as feasted
ny eyes on her sweet face, "when saw
you first you wore an old black habit, |
Iuite rusty, remember; and you had a |
lat in your hand, with a long scarlet plume
Ilmost touching the ground. And how
'Yer | have seen you since, you have al
ways been TO me as you were that day
md you always will be, dear.n
remember that old velvet habit" she
aughed 1t is a superanuated article
low and-what did you think of me then,
Ricardo ?'
Just what think now"
She laughed again, but her step was soft
md lingering when she left me.
Until evening l lay and thought of her
'icturing the beautiful little figure that
would come to me in its gorgeous theatri-
al dress. The twilight glided slowly in
o my silent room, and then | lay and lis
ened breathlessly. for I knew she must
ONE soon now. Yet so noiselessly she
ltered at last that even my waiting ears
oUld scarcely catch thelight step. With
ut word sine shut the door behind her.
hen she stood looking at me; her red lips
arted with an irrepressible smile, and her
yes brimming over with fun. But she
-as clad in no gay, unusual dress; she
TODD there holding up in one hand the old
lack habit from the other dangled the
tile hat with its scarlet plnme; and her
cad was onl ly crowned with its bright,
Iir curls. '.-r -f' 81; =,ist-tfs
" "Ninette, . said, breaking my wonder
lg silence, ''seeing you so, l feel as if,
trough all the years that lie helpless, |
ould dream that you have been to me all
nat wildly dreamed you might be when
saw you so for the first time Thank
Ou for coming as you are; but you will
ave to change your dress again, you ride
such different costume.p
The color rushed to her cheeks, and her
yes grew hot and dark. ..s
'' Yes, very different; but cannot you {
INK OF me always as yOu see me- now, {
icardo-as you saw me first 2 The peo- 1
e are passing the hospital gates in crowds
lie went on turning and looking through t
lie window expect fuller house than c
e ever had in England. 1t is for your a
Ike, Signor" t
& wish l thought so,'I said very carr, v
.flv. &C I wish did ,,c+ lrno,r 49, -. T.. | n