Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-11-16

iOVh WIN q VI lShNNl lUNt luul USUAL, tUltl
me Nine'te had come to see me. / felt
the blood rush into my wan face as | took
her little warm hand in both my own.
"Oh you are so much better, Ricardo y
she said, her small lips trembling little
as she looked at me. ave shall soon have
you back in your place among u.s."
] shook my head slowly. "Never again,
Ninette."
Why?" she asked in feigncd aston 'h,
ment.
=" | shall never walk again anywhere, |
think, Ninette; certainly not on the vibrat-
ing wire. know | must be abe lame
all my life; and Pm trying, as lie here,
to get accustomed to the thought, and to
feel prepared"
"No! no" she cried, quickly. "Don't
try to get accustomed to it, Ricardo. Try
to think of getting well, and that will help
you TO do So"
"Willit3 Then will try answered,
struggling with my sadness. when do
you leave here ?"
"Leave here? 0, I don't know. Not
till you are well, | should think. Why,
Ricardo" she added, as smiled incredu-
lousy, "dont you know that tonight we
are all going to perform for your benefit ?
You've not heard, you say Why, what
has Monsieur found to talk to you about,
then, for he talks to me of nothing else
| wish could have brought you one of
the enormous bills, headed Ricardo's
Benefit in letters as large as myself You
always were fond of reading your own
name in the bills, weren't you ?"
"Yes-with yours" answered, intently
watching the bright face.
"Wcll, you would have seen mine, too,
to-day, in letters almost larger, for Pm
going to--ride."
"Of course" I answered, with faint
smilo, while | wondered a little at the
sudden change in her voice. "What audi
ence would there be if you did not, Nj
nctte ?"
"None," she laughed. "You must wish
me success before | 60 away. But here's
Monsieur come to dismiss me. I've been
telling Signor Ricardo" she added, as the
manager joined us, "various particulars of
his benefit. How very willing we all give
our services. How all the town Is patron
izing u.s."
"And did she tell you" asked Mon
sicur, with pleased and excited look,
Chow | offered to double the price of
admission il anyone would promise nov
city? and how she herself Immediately
proposed to perform her Moorish feat I'll
show you one of the handbiIls. Here it
is; "Mlle. Ninette, the equestrian queen,
on her magnificent steed Black Houh,
will"
go, no, no! you must not let her."
exclaimed, in hasty fear. ooh! Monsieur
it is most rash and dangerous"
Monsieur smiled as he put the handful
back into his pocket, and Nnette arose
with vexed glance across at him.
edo forbid her to do this, cried again.
"Mllc. Ninettc 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 unrivaled success.
She has done it before, you know; and a
gorgeous and unprecedented triumph it
was.n
1T is a willlul rsking of hfe,n 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"
Nnette said, giving ME her hand as she
prepared TO leave. 81 should never have
told you myself, because 1 know how
invalids worry themselves about the safest
and most triiling things. have made up
my mind to do it, and Black Havk under
stands that same entirely"
"Oh! do not venture it, Ninettc," /
whispered, appealing to her in bitter ear
nestness. "Say you will not
"No--for 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.
81 shall come in and see you before the
performance, Nnette said, after little
dismal pause.
"Will you, Ninctte 2" | asked eagerly,
MS | battled with my cowardice. "Wili
you come in just as you goa"
81 hardly know about that" she an
swered, with quaint, shy smile.
Monsieur had left the room then, and
Ninetto was standing opposite me, about
to follow him.
"Ninette," | said, slowly, as | feasted
my eyes on her sweet face, "when ! saw
you first you wore an old black habit,
quite rusty, | remember; and you had
hat in your hand, with long scarlet plume
almost touching the ground. And how
ever have seen you since, you have al
ways been to me as you were that day
and you always will be, dear"
81 remember that old velvet habit" she
laughed " 1t is a superanuated article
now; and-what didyou think of me then,
Ricardo ?"
"Just what | think now"
She laughed again, but her step was soft
and lingering when she left me.
Until evening lay and thought of her
picturing the beautiful little figure that
would come to me in its gorgeous theatri-
cal dress. The twilight gided slowly in
to my silent room, and then | lay and lis
tened breathlcssly, for knew she must
come soon now. Yet so noiselessly she
at last that even my waiting ears
could scarcely catch the light step. With
out a word she shut the door behind her.
Then she stood looking at me; her red lips
parted with an irrepressible smile, and her
eyes trimming over with fun. But she
was clad in no gay, unusual dress she
stood there holding up in one hand the old
black habit; from the other dangled the
title hat with its scarlet plume; and her
head was only crowned with its bright,
air curls.
"Ninette," I said, breaking my wonder
ng silence, seeing you so, feel as if
through all the years that l lie helpless, |
,Ou11 dream that Won bovn hoan 70 mn all |