The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-22

E.
"read no more, there is surely some
horrible fatality hanging over this piece:
l admit it. Let us return to the play"
The Count laughed, handed the record
| to Jacob, and the three 'wended their
way back to the audience room. They
arrived just as the act was over and the
spectators engaged in their usual work
OF conyersing and eyeing the occupants
OF the different boxes.
The King and Queen had momentarily
retired from the front of their box, and the
Princess Sophia and her sister sat in full
view OF the people. When the Baron
took his seat nearly opposite, she began
watching him and, as he, after q survey
of the house, turned his glasses towards
where she was sitting, the Princess
bmade peculiar movement with her
| hand, which he observed with the great
est apparent qualification. The action
had been slight, and not apt to be no.
ticeu by anyone-but it seemed to have
opened every flood gate of joy that was
| in the young noblemans sCul-his man.
ner and speech took complete change,
and his companion who had, in the ear
lier part of the evening, noted his gloom,
was much surprised at the sudden trans
formation.
After the play was over the three men
returned TO their hotel, and it was ar.
ranged that they should meet the next
night but one and witness ''Othello."
The evening came round and the house
was full. The majority were drawn by
| the fame of the singers who were to per-
senate Desdemona and Othello, but some
few who came knew the strange mys-
terry which connected this play with the
fate of royalty. The royal box was oc-
cupied, but gloom seemed to hang
around its bright gildings and gorgeous
tapestry. The stern old King and his
vile sat in their accustomed places.
The Grown Prince was beside his fatner
and the daughters sat by the mother:
Princess Gertrude appeared less happy
and vlvaclous than OF yore, and sophia
leaned against the railing OF the box,
nor even once gaZed toward the stage.
Two of our friends, the old officer and
the Count, were seated in the balcony.
but the Baron was absent. That some
misfortune had overtaken him was ap-
parent from their sad looks, and the Gu
lrious glances they cast toward the royal
box.
Nro think that they should have loved
each other 80 long, and that their affec-
tion should have such sorrowful end"
said the Count.
nHad she been less impulsive," was
| the answer Of the Colonel, "it might not
| nave DGCu ulSCOfGlCu uhOil Why nuu hSA3
and then it would have been too late.
Night before last she must perforce make
q signal to him, which was seen by Her
Majesty, and answered by the Baron.
4 The Princess was in consequence
wretched. Last night the Baron and her
| self were discovered in the gardens OF
the palace. and this morning our friend
was banis1ed from the country. The
Princess pleaded and begged OF the King
not to send him away, but he refused to
listen, and, to add to her misery, he CON-
PEELED her to be present tonight"
At this moment the curtain rose and
the opera began. The singing was of
more than common merit and the atten-
| tion of the audience rapt from first to
| last. After the final act Desdemona was
called out and received by the Kings or
der. from the hands Of the Princess
| Sophia, magnificent necklace. The au-
dience then dispersed and the royal party
retired.
Seven days after the performance OF
| the play the city was horrtied by the re-
port that the Princess was found dead IN
her bed and that ner parents in search.
ing through her letters had found small
uackage marked "When am dead" On
being opened it was found to contain a
| picture of the banished baron, lock OF
hair and brief note bearing aate the
night of the play of "Othello" and Which
ran as follows:
II have no wish to live since he loved
| Is no longer near me. l am dying OF a
| broken heart and on my father and moth
| er lay the cause"
In the old book in the box Office OF the
ROYAL Opera-house the entry was made
by the gray-haired official: q February
| 1S4-, the opera of 'Othello" performed
Seven days afterward the Princess
| Sophia was found dead in her bed.
And so ends the story Of Princess
love,