Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-06-25

IA FRIDAY NE E25 N

Monsieur, vOus etes tres bon, ''she mur
mored, breaking into her native French
and gathering her shawl closer about her
Was It fancy. or did hear moans |
started from my seat. She was as white
Ias marble, and could not refrain from
Questioning her concerning this sudde.
illness. But she put away my inquiries.
and repelled me with slight gesture.
1T is nothing. ! am not ill.," she sale
calmly, and without . tremor 10 her voice
turning to go as she spoke. Then +.
stranger thought crossed my miLd-an i'm
preston we WE'RE NOT ALONE IN TIE
ROOM took possession of me, and lnvoluu
tarily ] followed her to the door. Sh.
Was standing in the dimly-lightcd entry.
ard, with y face full of the sa.ldest en-.
treaty, seemed gazing imploringly at
someth,ng-wHAT: I strained my eyes
in the semi-darkness-of course. you will
all laugh at me; call it absurd. etc-but
distinctly saw, standing at her side, tho
shadow-only the shadow-of human
being. A chill! fell on the atmosphere;
strong hands seemed grasping at my
throat; dashed back into the Office and
slammed the door. From that hour, III
confess it, l was afraid of our leading
lady!
The night of her first appearance ar
rived. The house was fu!l-crowded-fo
. pretty debutante is strong magnet, and
I had advertised largely. She was to make
her debut on the American stage as Marcu
in "The Marble Heart" Just as the or
chestra ''struck up" and as was passing
near one of the wings" somebody
touched my arm, and an imploring llttl.
face looked up into mine. 1t was Miss
Marie, the favorite of the company. She
was dressed for her Part, as the slave in
the prologue of the play; but there was
an anxious look in her eyes, and a nervous
ring in her cl,ar, soft voice, as she ad
dressed me:
''Mr Montford, she said, I'm afraid
to go on tonight"
"What?" cried l, ian actress OF thret
seasons experience down with the stage
fright at this Late day!"
mo. sir" she responded, laughing
though in half hysterical manner, ''bu'
I'll tell you. 1t makes me nervous to &c
near Miss Lenore. Everybody says she Is
haunted. Just watch hel when she stands
in the shadow, or any place where tn.
lights are not turned on, and you will SC.
what we've all seen.''
"And what is tllat?" asked hastily.
Marie looked at me with close scrutiny
before making answer.
"Mr. Montford. you must have observed
it. The shadow of man, carrying some
thing in his arms. appears at her side, ant
seems to wiring his hands, and gaze ut he1
|img;orlngly. The first time we saw II il
was at the rehearsal, and there wasn''
much light. Mr. Carter cried out when
he noticed it, and then, If course. every
, body gathered around her, and she faintef
away. don't think she would have faint
ed, for the world, if she could have con
trolled herself; for after she recovered
she would go on with her part, only say
ing che wished more light and air, Is sh.
was so faint, and then Mr.. Carter opened
the windows, and we saw no more of thu
ghost that day. 1t has appeared twic'
since them"
Nonsense !" cried !. 1T was all you
Imagination. But just then the csll-boy
summoned Miss Marie. and ! was left t
ponder on the strange recital to which
had been listening.
Mademoiselle Lenore had made q sue
cessful debut. in short, she pleased, ant
became popular. Our theatre was neve
, so we'll patronized before, and l congratu
late myself upon the accession to the com
pany that had so mysteriously come in my
way. There was but one objection to th'
i young lady, and that was her extrem'
Iwillfulness in regard 10 the plays put on
lfor she would not appear In any par
!, where dim light was absolutely necea
! sary, and in my secret heart l fancfed he
reasons therefor. l was dazed, bewilderes
Nv the woman; but she certainly was
!, superb creature, a fine actress, and alto
lgelher WI ming card, and ] must retai'
lIher for the remainder Of the season, n'
matter what happened.
! But something did happen, and the en'
came at last. We had been playing "Cs
Im,le," and Madamolselle Lenoreperforme'
lher part Is had seldom before seen 1t rep
PRESENTED. She seemed to throw her who'll
soul into II; to merge her own existence
Into that of the woman she repres ented
!. until I saw that her bodily strength va
giving way, and, realizing somehow tia
the character was too much for her, De
cided to replace ''Camille" with new
.|drama. which had for some time beer
Intending to introduce. The prel'Gpar1
|reheaTssls were over, and the morning o
1.-The day upon which it was to be produced
had arrived, when again 1ademoisell
\ J.enore sought me in my sanctum. Sh
came in with . white but resolute face
and dropped wearily into the chair on
llcred her.
.You are working too hard. mademol
selle," ! said kindly.
i "Nr. Nonttord," she cried abruptly
IsprinGing to her feet - she spoke. - j
1.-THE action impaired strength and courag'
Ito her, II have come to tell you my stor!
latter that you can discharge me. II yo'
rIsee fit. shall die soon, anyway" sh
! r|murmured, half to herself. Then, gather
l,.~ conr.ve FINN NV annarent interest Il