Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-11-13
brother who had settled ia England i

| Orotner VINO nau settled Ia England IN
early youth, and from whom vague
report came, from time, to time OF a
successful mercantile career. The letter
was postmarked London, and the heavy
black border lines told the story before
the seal was broken. My uncle is dead
He had never married, and on his
death bed, remembering his only
brother, he left all his wealth to him or
his children. For a moment I felt
stunned and faint, and Ada, THROWN g
her arms about my neck, begged me
to tell her what bad news was in my
letter to make me look SO strange and
pale. I took her on my knee, and told
her we were rich, and would have no
more need to act in the theater. We
would leave this miserable little town
and 60 to Berlin.
To my surprise, Ada again put her
arms about my neck, and whispered
softly" need we leave the theater imme
diately, dear brother9"
''No, child, said /, 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"
"Because, dear brother" she answer
ed, hesitating and blushing, "Fraulein
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 on
the stage next week. Oh, l would
like to have such triumph once! 1t
would be such pleasant way to say
good by to the stage
I could deny her nothing, my little
sister, and though for me it was like
going into the fortune-room of the in
QUESTION to enter the theatre and see
Count Ernest on such familiar terms
with Dora, | consented for the present
to conceal my good fortune from our
friends, and go on just the same
as if nothing had happened.
The eventull evening came at length
The play was interspersed with ballet
dancing, and was to end with a grand
transformation, scene, in which Ada and
Dora were to rise as sea nymphs
in a shell-like car, from the waters o.
the mimic lake. 1t SO happened that
just before the last scene, I went into
the room underneath the stage, where
the machinery for raising the car was
placed, impelled by strange foiebod
ing Of impending misfortune. to assure
myself that every thing was in order
and that no precaution against accident
had been neglected. There | found
the master machinist dark and gloom,
visaged man, standing by the car
muttering to himself in an undertone
"Better she should die than marry the
Count He has bewitched her, as he
does all women. A little slit would
What are you muttering to yourself!'
I asked him, suddenly; ''and what de
you mean by these mysterious words 2
He faced me, as if struck by an unex
pected blow.
81 was only examining the machin
cry to see that everything was right,
he answered, sullenly and turnet
away.
1 carefully examined the cords by
which the car was raised. Everything
appeared to be secure and in good or
der; and l went back to my place, try
ing to laugh myself out Of my apprehen
sions. But though it was easy to argue
that all was right, and that my fears
arose merely from some inexplicable dis
order Of the brain, / could not feel Sc
cure / was positive that some fright
full misadventure would occur before
the play was over; and every nerve was
strained in the effort to maintain a calm
exterior.
The play progressed. The curtain
rose upon the magnificent transforms
ton scene, and the plaudits of the audi
ence grew tumultuous as the splendors
unrolled before them At length the
car began to rise slowly and majestical
lY, to low. sweet strains of music.
watched, with scarcely beating heart
and bated breath, the first appearance
of the beautiful vision for like visior
it looked, rising and still rising, the
car Respondent with all the tinse
which shown like gold and silver, and
diamonds. A sound as of many tinkl
ing fountains mingled with the strains
of delicious music; fairy land seemed
opening upon the sight with archine
bowers and far reaching vistas, and myr
lads of el6n forms disporting on the
ground and in the air. For moment
was fascinated, when Ada and Dora
in all their beauty, rose above the lake
their stately car seemed lifted by invisi
BILE hands. | forgot my apprehensions
and once more breathed freely.
4 Suddenly there was dreadful crash
81 !. ILL -, GILL ~ v,l