The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-29

| "hSh you caH leaNe at once and be Tree
from this slavery?"
Because, dear brother" she an
swered, hesitating and blushing, Frau
Ieln Dora told me | was great deal
prettlef than she was, and a better
dancer; and that | should have the
first place in the new dance they are
to put on the stage next week. Oh, |
would like to have such a triumph
once! 1t would be such a pleasant
way to say good-by to the stage.''
| L could deny her nothing, my little
sister; and though for me it was like
going into the torture-room of the In
! QUESTION to enter the theatre and see
| Count Ernest on such familiar terms
with Dora, 1 consented for the present
to conceal my good fortune from our
friends, and go on just the same as if
nothing had happened.
The eventful 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 of a
mimic lake. 1t SO happened, just be-
fore the last scene, went into the room
underneath the stage, where the ma
chinery for raising the car was placed,
impelled by strange foreboding of
impending misfortune, to assure my
self that everything was in order, and
that no precaution against accident
had been neglected. There | found
the master machinist, a dark and
gloomy visaged man standing by the
car, muttering to himself in an under
tone. Better she should die than
marry the count. He has bewitched
slit would"
What are you muttering to your
self?" l asked him, suddenly; "and
what do you mean by these mysteri-
Gus words 2"
He faced me, as if struck by an I'M
expected blow.
Il was only examining the machine
ry to see that all was right" he an
swered, sullenly, and turned away.
l carefully examined the cords by
which the car was raised. Everything
appeared to be secure and in good or
| der; and went back to my place, try
tensions. But though it was easy to
argue that all was right, and that my
fears arose merely from some explica-
BILE disorder of the brain, | could not
feel secure. l was positive that some
frightful misadventure would occur be-
fore 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 transforma-
ton scene; and the plaudits of the au-
dience grew tumultuous as the spIen-
dors unrolled before them. At length
the car began to rise slowly and ma
jestically, to low, sweet strains of mu-
sic. l watched, with scarcely beating
heart and bated breath, the first ap-
pearance of the beautiful vision-for
like vision it looked, rising and still
rising, the car resplendent 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
Saanad opening npnn tho eight, ~,-isI.
arching bowers and far-reaching vistas,
and myriads of elfin forms disporting
on the ground and in the air For a
moment | was fascinated, when Ada
and Dora, in all their beauty, rose
above the lake, their stately car SEEM
ingly lifted by invisible hands. for
got my apprehensions, and once more
breathed freely.
Suddenly there was dreadful crash,
and wild cry filled the house. The
car had fallen. For an instant, felt
rooted to the spot where l was stand
ing, and 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 J" Which
was it Ada Dora g.? l fought my
way through the crowd of actors and
attendants, and saw my little Ada lying
senseless in Dora's arms. Throwing
myself on my knees, l took her cold
hands in both of mine. my dear
friend" said Dora, who was weeping
silently, "she is not dead, tho dread
fully hurt. The surgeon will be here
directly. Compose yourself She is
revivingp
My little darling opened her eyes,
with deep sigh, and looked about her
with bewildered gaze.
"Hush, little one" said Dora, softly,
as she saw Ada was about to speak.
'Lie still and be patient till the sur
geon comes"
The gentle sufferer closed her eyes,
and her little hands pressed mine with
tender grasp. Thesurgeon was soon
on the spot. He assured me that Ada
had sustained no fatal injury, but it
was doubtful whether she would be
able to walk again. With a piteous
cry, she fell back in Dora's arms, and
tainted dead away
had noticed no one but Ada and
Dora, but at this moment l was con-
scious that the count was kneeling be-