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

look ana manner OF the Professor, as he mad
so fervently expressed his thanks, occupied
her thoughts much more than the lesson, and
she called herself goose, and a simpleton,
all to no purpose.
She was learning the role of Julia in the
Hunchback," and her teacher proposed to
repeat the part with her, and he threw HIM
self into it with such entire abandon and
fervor, that Emma began to feel painfully
| embarrassed. The expression of his dark
eyes, and the thrilling tones of his voice
moved her strangely, and it was with diff
Guilty that she could make her answers dis
tinctly or appropriately. But pride came to
her aid, and he evidently attributed her
emotion to the beauty of the play, and the
thoughts it suggested, and after they had
finished, he praised her performance with
more than usual emphasis.
| But, Miss Nelson" he asked, "are you
still firm in your resolution of going upon
the stage %
Certainly" she replied, :" You do not
| think that have made mistake in select
ing that vocation, do you ?'
~ think that you have a most decided
talent for it. Your voice is very fine, your
gestures easy and graceful, and there is no
doubt but THAT you would meet with great
success ;'hut-I shall be very sorry to see
you become an actress, and hope that you
| will change your mind.'
"Why do you hope SOP" she enquired
quickly. "You certainly can have no pre-
JUDGE against the theatre, when you make it
your profession to prepare asprants for it,"
80, no, of course not. 1 advised a great
many young ladies to adopt that profession,
| instead of wearing their lives out in teaching
or sewing. 1t is more healthful and more
| remunerative."
"And still you would not advise me to go
upon the stage?"
81 do not like to think of you as an actress,
"But will you not tell me the reason ?"
she persisted.
He looked at her for a few moments very
earnestly; seemed about to say something,
| then stopped. 81 will tell you some other
time, but not just now. Shall we continue
! the lesson ?" s..t-.....t.
| Emma thought him very peculiar man,
but at the same time an unusually interest
ing one. He was always saying something
to excite her curiosity, and always left it I'M
satisfied. ..e.a-.'
| One day, as she entered the hall in which
she took her lessons, opening the door very
quietly, she surprised the Professor, listening
most intently to a pretty young girl, whose
hand he was holding, and who was talking with
| great rapidity and earnestness. He colored
up at her approach, and instantly dropped
the little hand he was holding. Emma felt
a cold chill suddenly seize her heart, and
with formal Excuse me-" she turned
away and walked to distant window.
The girl left at once, and in moment the
teacher stood beside his pupil.
| ut is young girl, }" he said hurriedly, Sin
whom am much Interested; she is very poor
and very grateful for the little that L have
been able to do for her."
Emma bowed, and tried very hard to ap.
pear as usual, but her manner was forced
and unnatural, and for almost the first time
she was glad when the lesson was finished.
She went home disguised with herself, the
Professor, and everything else, but more
especially herself.
''Salome might well tell me not to be too
confident, - she thought, "here, after all ofmy
boasts of GOODNESS and indifference, l have
allowed myself to become as much infatuated
with that man as any girl of sixteen.
suppose he looks and acts the same way with
all his young lady scholars. A dignified
triaer. 1 wonder if he thinks that believed
that story. He shall never know how much
I cared for him, however,"
AS she sat in her room, that afternoon,
looking somewhat discOnsolate, it must be
confessed, with one hand supporting her
dropping head, the other toying idly with the
trimmings of her dress, there was soft tap
impatient-'Come I'M" Salome made her
appearance, eager to communicate some
great news, Emma saw at once. "Am de
hop ?" she inquired laughingly, 81 thought
your summons to enter did not sound very
| amiable."
81 did not know who it was, but you have
permission to come and 60 at your own sweet
will, you know. l am very much fatigued,
this evening, and when we are 80 dreadfully
/ n Al t.
it not SOP" ii.
so, dear, yes. feel like dogs and cats.
when am tired. But, Emma Nelson, am
| so disappointed, and so mad, and so out of
| patience"
| "Why, what is the matter, child?"
swell, here l was building such a beauti-
| full romance about you and the handsome
Professor. heard that he admired YOU very
much, and now it appears that he is en-
gagged" Emma drew her breath quick and
| hard but the room was almost dark, and
Salome was SO full of her story that she did
not notice the agitation of her listener,
"They say that he is engaged to poor young
girl, beautiful as hour that, after assist
ing her in the most disinterested manner, he
| finally fell in love. l am so mad. thought
you were just the one to suit him, but sup
pose you were so supremely lofty anil indif-
| ferent that he was afraid to think of such
| thing. But l never will build any more cas-
ties for myself, or my friends either; they
always fall fiat as a pancake"
II am the last person to make heroine
out of, Salome."
"Indeed! Now you are very much mis-.
taken there. You answer perfectly to the
description not handsome, but entirely
unlike any one else.' 1 thought you and
Professor Goodwin would fall in love and be
married, and then you would not 60 upon
the STAGE" at
-."WhO told you all that story?"
"Mrs. Ellis; she boards with him, you
know. But you look very pale and tired,
En-; you had better 60 to bed. Good
But the young girl sat for long time, after
her friend had left her, looking out upon
the night, and, somehow, her undertaking
seemed to have lost all interest for her, and
instead of eagerly anticipating her next les
son, she looked forward to it with dread.
But when the day came, greatly to her sur
prise, the Professor said to her, a"Miss Mel.
it?'' ,aa -
Certainly" she replied, somewhat coldly,