The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-11-17

{ "f AAN HtN AHu ! III NtNhikt ~ 4 Afe ANtNi
10 get accustomed 10 the thought, and to
feel rrcpNrcd,A
"No! no" she cried, quickly, "Don't
try 10 set accustomed 90 Il, Ricardo, Try
10 think Of getting we'll, and that win help
you 81 DO so,n
/ ''wMri Then viii try," answered,
struggling with my sadness. When do
You leave here y
"Lvavc herel o. don't know. Not
TIL You STc well, should think. Why,
Ricardo she added. as | smiled incredu-
loOsly, "dont YOU know that tonight We
are all going 20 perform for your benefit !
\ You've not heard, you say Why, what
has Monsieur found 20 talk 90 yen about,
then. for be talks "a me of nothing else 7
| wish could have brought you one of
the enormous bills, headed Ricarlos
Benefit in letters as large as myself You
always were fond of reading your own
name in the bills, weren't YOU r.
"NcS-with yours, answered, intently
watching the bright face.
"Well, YOU would have seen mine, too,
to-day, in letters almost larger, for I'm
going to-ride.N
OF course | answered, with a faint
smilo, while | wondered a little at the
sudden change in her voice. "What audi
ence would there be il you did not, Nj
nctte ~
None she laughed. "You must wish
me success before | 80 away, But here's
Monsieur come 10 dismiss me. Eve 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 Ts.
And did she tell you,n asked Mon
sieur, with a pleased and excited look,
"how | offered 10 double the price of
admission il anyone would promise a nov
city and how she herself Immediately
proposed to perform her Moorish feat IN
show YOU one Of the handbills. Here il
ls: "Mlle. Nincttc, the equestrian queen,
ON her magnificent steed Black Hack,
will-'n
30, no, no. you must not let her. |
exclaimed, in hasty fear. "Ohl Monsieur,
il is most rash and dangerous
Monsieur smiled as he put the handbill
back into his pocket, and Ninette arOSe
with ycXed glance across al him.
Do forbid her TO do this, cried again.
Mile. Nmette j. such a superb horse
woman,n the manager said, "that if she
teels she can accomplish il safely and bril-
liantly, / feel il too. And il win make
| to-night's performance an unrivaled success.
She has done il before, YOU know; and
gorgeous and unprecedented triumph il
was
1T IS a willful risking Of life, | faltered,
the tears starting in my weakness. al
shall be miserable.n
q shall not laughed Monsieur. rising.
al have too much confidence in Ninette.n
Don't think about it at all, Ricardo y
Ninette said, giving me her hand as she
prepared 10 leave. II should never have
told you myself, because | know how
inyalids worry themselves about the safest
and most tritIing things. have made up
my mind TO do il, and Black Hack under
stands that same entirely.n
"Ohi do not venture il, Ninette,n /
whispered, appealing to her in bitter.ear-
nestneSs. Say You will not"
"No-for | nEst,n 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.
IL shall come in and see you before the
performance" Ninette said, after a little
dismal pause.
''Will you, Ninctte r. asked eagerly,
as battled with my cowardice. "Will
you come in Just as you 90 r.
Il hardly know about that she an
swered, with quaint, shy smile.
Monsieur had LEFT the room then, and
Ninettc was standing opposite me, about
TO follow him.
"NiDette," | 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 n
bat in your hand, with a 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"
al remember that old velvet habit" she
laughed " II is superanuated article
now and-what did you 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 glided slowly in
to my silent room, and then | lay and lis
tened breathlessly, for knew she must
come soon now. Yet so noiselessly she
entered at last that even my waiting ears
could scarcely catch the light step. With
out word shc shut the door behind her.
Then she stood looking at me her red lips
parted with an irrepressible smile, and her
eyes brimming 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
little hat with its scarlet plume; and her
head was only crowned with its bright,
fair curls.
"Ninette,n said, breaking my wonder
ing silence, "seeing you so, feel as it,
through all the years that | lie helpless.
could dream that you have been to me all
that / wildly dreamed you might be when
/ saw you so for the first time. Thank
you for coming as you are; but you will
have to change your dress again, you ride
in such different costume"
The color rushed to her checks, and her
eyes grew hot and dark.
81 Yes. very different; but cannot you
think Of me always as you see me now,
Ricardo-as you saw me first 2 The peo-
pie are passing the hospital gates in crowds"
she went on turning and looking through
the window expect fuller house than
we ever had in England. 1t is for your
sake, Signor."
~ wish thought so,' | said very earn
estly; " wish did not know they go TO
see your wild and daring leap, Ninette.
How terrible it viii be TO witness-for
those who love you I"
She laughed low, quick laugh, but did
not turn 70 me,
You are.thinking Of Captain Attendant,
dare say, Ricardo? But You need not,
for have never spoken TO him since the
night you-fell; and | never shall again."
"A wild, proud joy sprang mp in my
heart. "Ninette,"I cried, my darling,
turn your face to me. | am SO helpless
here. and shall so soon lose the face love.
Come to me for these few precious moments"
Very gently she came up to me, and
laid her cool hand on my forehead.
She bent her head, and as / laid my
weak fingers ON the soft curls, one deep
sob shook the little kneelIng figure, but
when she rose her eyes were very bright
behind their glistening lashes. She did
not say a word of farewell TO me. With
strange, brave, struggling smile, which
would have vanished with werd, she hes
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