The Portland daily press., 1877-07-09

cratS tney were suspicious OF Ior5iSueTs, anu
in consequence did not seem to be very
much drawn toward me. So did not get
any opportunity to speak to my darling
alone, until one night at ball, when l took
her to dance. We went just as far from
madame la mere as the limits of the room
would permit. We didn't valse very long
before l discovered that l was very tired,
and we decided it would be much pieasanter
in the conservatory. Once there l told her
how 1 loved her, and she told me in her
sweet broken English that she had learned
to love Monsieur and-well-oh, Edith, I
was in FOOLS paradise for one short half
hour.
The next morning I went to see her
father, and told him plainly that wanted to
marry his daughter. He listened politely,
and assured me he was desoated to refused
monsieur; that he entertained sentiments
for him the most distinguished, but that his
daughter had no dot, and that it was neces-
sary she should marry some one most
wealthy and most noble; therefore he had
promised her hand to the most noble
the Marquis de Foutenac--a man, Edith,
old enough to be her father; and such a
man--why, he wasn't fit to touch her hand.
pleaded, argued, stormed and swore, but
all to no purpose. might Just as well have
tried to move mountain. Monsieur bowed
me out and said an repoir just as sweetly as
if he had accepted me for son-in-law.
They kept her very much secluded after
that suppose that might not have any
opportunity of seeing her. Once or twice l
saw her in carriage with her mother and
that old rascal of a marquis. I tried to bride
her maid, but she was vinegar-faced Breton
who probably never had love affair in her
life, and who virtuously refused to listen to
me. At last, mad with rage, l left Paris and
went to Germany and the Tyrol, and then to
the Danube; and at Durenstein met Nine.
La Marquise de Fontenac. She was travel
ing with her husband for his health. He
had the grace to be confined to his room
with the govt, and for one week I was madly,
wildly happy. No, don't look at me that
way. l didn't play the role of the French
the word. My darling was as pure as an
angel, but loved her; she belonged to me
not that old worn out roue who had bought
her with his money and titles.
Well, of courses the awakening came.
They went back to Paris; went to Rome.
have never seen her since, never shall,
but / shall never forget her."
He ceased. The handsome head went
down into his hands, and there was silence
between us. The waves on the beach sung
hooking song, the stars twinkled and
laughed at his misery, the moon smiled down
in sardonic splendor-all nature seemed to
gloat over his agony.
MY poor brother! What could 1 say to
comfort him? There are moments when
words avail nothing to an anguished soul;
when the empty forms of speech are only
mockery. He went on hurriedly after few
moments of perfect silence;
81 have come home to go to work. I am
going into my profession with vengeance.
must do something to stop this terrible
thinking. My only salvation is in work."
y
I did not see Charley again for nearly
year. I remained at the sea shore for the
rest of the summer, and in autumn went on
a starring trip through the western states,
and did not return to New York until the
following spring. Then saw the prince
again. In his dark hair and moustache the
silver was beginning to show itself, and he
was looking very care-worn. urged him to
take rest; he looked sadly in need of it /;
but no, he would not listen to such an idea
for a moment. His work was his life, he
said; without it he should die.
He had been admitted to the bar, and had
already won reputation by speech made in
famous case, and was Considered one of the
shining lights of the profession. He was a
great catch in society, too. Anxious
mammas with marriageable daughters
angled skillfully for him, but all in vain. He
seemed proof against such attacks. have
seen him at crowded receptions listening to
the pretty chatter of fashionable bellies, with
the weary, listless air and the tired look in
his eyes which were now habitual with him.
That spring was filling an engagement at
one of the uptown theatres, and on going to
rehearsal one morning saw by the placards
outside the doors that at the close of my
engagement ga grand spectacular play and
gorgeous pageant" would be presented to the
public; moreover that sixty ballet girls were
wanted Immediately. After rehearsal, as I
sat chatting with the manager, the applicants
began to file in. One by one they passed
me; some pale and haggard, looking as if
actual want had driven them to seek this
employment; others round of limb, plump of
face, saucy and pert. I was Specializing
upon their probable lives, and trying hard to
solve some perplexing life problems, and I
fear giving some very vague answers to the
questions of the gentlemanly manager, when
suddenly he exclaimed:
"Ah! there's our favorite, pretty Nell
Stanley; but who the dickens has she with
her? Look, Miss S., is not that an ex-
quisite tace?''
1 turned and saw slender young girl,
stately as princess, with glorious dark eyes, Yes
and face of rare loneliness. She looked
like tall, fair liv amid a crowd of Haunting
peoples and tulips.
81 wonder who she s?' continued the
manager; "she doesn't look as if she bad
been used to this kind of business"
watched her curiously; noted the half
frightened, wondering look she wore. and de-
cided that she had never been behind the
footlights before. While gazing at her saw
the big, brawny ballet master approach and
say something to her, and | knew bv the
sudden rush Of color to her sweet face and
the flash of her dark eve that he had asked
her some insulting question. She turned
hastily away from him and burst into pas
sion of tears. In an instant I was a. her
side, all my woman's indignation reused. and
after giving the man stinging rebuke. from
which he shrank away like a whipped cur. T
put an arm around the child (for She seemed
very young) and said to her:
'My dear, why do you come here?"
"Ah, madame" said she in broken Eng
ish. "Je suis tres malhereuse,. I haf no
lmonnie. Je trouve notings to do. Cete
madamoiselle she brings me lei. She saw T
will find Pouvrage. Mais Get homme. Ali
mon dieu!' and LAYING her head on INV sbonl-
der she sobbed again.
"How long have YOU been in this coun-
try?"
"Twelf mont. All! ma belle France. whv
did leave thee?''