Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-09-19
ND, FRIDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 10. 1879.

~
vague reports came, from time to time.
OF successful mercantile career. Tie
letter was postmarked London, and the
heavy black border lines told the story
before the seal was broken. MY uncle
was dead. He had never married and
on his death-bed, remembered his only
brother he had left all his wealth to him
and his children. For moment | felt
stunned aud faint; and Ada. throwing
her arms about ,ay neck, begged me to
tell her what bad news was in my letter
to make me look so strange and pale. |
took her on my knee, and told her we
were rich, and would have no more need
to act in the theatre. We would leave
this miserable little town and 90 to Ber-
lin.
To my surprise, Ada again put her
arms about my neck, and whispered soft
ly, "Need we leave the theatre immedi-
atcly, dear brother ?"'
"No, child" said 1, wondering what
she could mean 'but tell me why you
should want to stay another day, when
you can leave at once and be free from
this slavery 2"
Because, dear, brother" she an
swered, hesitatingly and blushing, Frau
lein Dora told me [ was great deal pref
tier than she was, and better dancer !;
and that | should have the first place in
the new dance they are to put to on the
stage next week. Oh, | would like to
have to such triumph once It. would
be such pleasant way to say good-by to
the STAGE"
| could deny her nothing, my little
sister; and though for me it was like go
ing into the torture-room of the Inquisi-
ton to enter the theatre and see Count
Ernest on such familiar terms with Do
ra, | consented for the present to conceal
my good fortune from our friends, and
go on just the same. as if nothing had hap
pened.
The eventful evening came at length.
The play was interspersed with ballet
dancing, and was to end with grand
transformation scene in which Ada and
Dora were to rise as sea nymphs, in
shell-like car, from the waters of
mimic lake. 1t so happened that, just
before the last scene, | went into the
room underneath the stage, where the
machinery for raising the car was placed,
lmpelled by strange foreboding of i'm
pending misfortune, to assure myself
that everything was in order; and that
no prccaution against accident had been
neglected. There | found the master
machinist, dark and gloomy visaged
man, standing by the car, muttcrng to
himself in an undertone "Bctter she
should die than marry the count. He
has bcwitched her, as he does all women.
A little slit would"
What are you muttering to yourselfY
| asked him, suddenly; ''and what do
you mean by these mysterious words 2"
He faced me, as if struck by an mex
pected blow.
81 was only examining the machinery
to sec that everything was right" he
answered, sullenly, and turned away.
l carefully examined the cords by
which the car was raised Everything
appeared to be secure and in good order;
and | went back to my place, trying to
laugh myself out Of my apprehensions.
But though it was easy to argue that all
was right, and that my fears arose mere
ly from some inexplicable disorder of the
brain, could not feel secure. / was
positive that some frightful niisadventurc
would occur before the play was over
and every nerve was strained in the
effort to maintain calm exterior.
The play progressed The curtain
rose upon the magnificent transformation
scene; and the plaudits of the audiences
grew tumultuous as the splendors unroll-
cd before them. At length the car be-
gan to rise slowly and majestically to
low, sweet strains of music. watched,
with scarcely beating heart and bated
breath, the first appearance of the beau
tiful viSion--for like vision it looked,
rising and still rising, the car resplen-
dent with all the tinsel which shone like
gold, and silver, and diamonds A sound
as of many tinkling fountains mingled
with the strains of delicious music fairy
land seemed opening upon the sight, with
arching bowers and far-reaching vistas,
and myriads of elfn forms disporting on
the ground aud in the air. For a mo-
ment ! was fascinated, when Ada and
Cora, in all their beauty, rose above the
lake, their stately car seeming lifted by
invisible hands. l forgot my apprehen-
sions, and once moro breathed freely.
Suddenly there was dreadful crash,
and a wild cry filled the house. The car
had fallen. For an instant, / felt rooted
to the spot where was standing, then
recovering my senses, rushed forward to
learn the worst. As | made my way
through the narrow passage under the
stage, | heard some one say in plying
tone: Poor thing, she will never dance
again p Which was it? Ada? Dora /
fought my way through the crowd of
actors and attendants, and saw my little
Ada lying scnseless in Dora's arms
Throwing myself on my knees, | took
her cold hands in both of mine. "My
dear friends" said Dora, who was weep
ing silently, "shc is not dead, though
dreadfuily hurt. The surgeon will be
here directly. Compose yourself. She
is reviving!"
My little darling opened her eyes,
with deep sigh, and looked about her
with bewildercd gaze.
Flush, little one" said Dora, softly,
as she saw Ada was about to speak
'.Lic still and be patient till the surgeon