New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-11-21

my scholars urge me very much, he con-
tinued, "to take some part in this approach
ing entertainment, and / have finally con-
scented. Will you play with me the scene
from the 'Hunchback,' that you do so well?'
She was inclined to give very sharp re-
fusal, but checking herself she replied, :" Ii
you really thipk that do the character JUS
tice." -.
"There is no other lady among my pupils
| that would be willing to play it with. Shall
we rehearse it now ?'
1t was trying ordeal for Emma. If ever
man looked and acted the ardent lover, her
dignified teacher looked and acted it that day.
"a male flirt," she repeated to herself, as
| she bade him good evening. And again and
again they rehearsed it, until it seemed to
Emma that she could not possibly bear it any
longer. But the eyentful evening came at
last, and this scene went off with grand eclat.
Both elegantly dressed, both graceful and
striking id appearance, the two actors excited
the utmost enthusiasm, and were called be-
fore the curtain several times. Then the poor
girls strength seemed to fail her utterly, and
pale and languid, she threw herself upon
lounge, wholly unnoticed and unseen, as she
imagined. She little dreamed that the eyes
of lover had followed her every movement,
and almost Immediately he stood beside her.
"You are very tired" he said in tender
tones, " the excitement has been too much
! for you. 1 will get a glass of wine."
81 beg that you will not trouble yourself"
she said, so coldly that he gazed at her in
butter establishment.
/ "Emma--Miss Nelson-have 1 offended
you?"
"No, sir;'' but my only wish is to go
hUme," and she passed by him, out of the
room, leaving him gazing after her, with a
| look of genuine perpleXity and distress upon
| his face.
The very next morning, as Emma was on
| her way to take her lesson, she met the
young girl, to whom report said Professor
Goodwin was engaged. The girl stopped,
| and, with bright blush, bashfully accosted
her-"You are the lady wanted to see; l
am afraid you thought very strangely of me
that day; but the gentleman has been so
kind, so good, and l felt so grateful. l know
it was bold for me to kiss his hand, but could
not kelp it; he is surely the best friend a
poor girl ever had.' Her listeners face had
frightened wonderfully during this hurried
confession, and drawing down her own so
demurely that Emma could scarcely restrain
smile, she said, "IIis wife will be very
happy" The young lady met her teacher
with half deprecating glance that he did
not understand, but he looked very cold
and stern, and her heart sank within her.
| AS SOOu us Sic SUMMON up SUlllClcut
courage, she said-"I met your little protege
this morning; she is very enthusiastic in
her praises of YOU"
''She is very grateful child" he answered
coldly; then thought seemed to strike him,
| and he asked in an abrupt way-"Miss Nell
son, did you not believe what I told you
about that little girl?"
'Prof. Goodwin, if you had surprised me
standing with gentleman, as you stood that
day with her, would you have been any more
credulous than l was? ''
| ''Perhaps not; but was that the reason
you have been so unknd?'
She could not answer now, for he was
holding her very tightly, as if he feared she
said, 'you asked me why did not advise
you to become an actress. 1t was because
l wanted you myself for my wife,
| $50, Miss Nelson, my romance is realized
after all, }" said Salome to her few days
afterwards, "and you are bona tide heroine
in spite of yourself"