The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-10-24
Written for the CHICAeo ELEcTRoTYFE NEWS,
HETOILE PERDIT.
''The gentleman has tainted P
BY HELEN LUOUEER.


'The gentleman has faintedp
Tainted? Who? Where, Willie P'
and Mrs Bennett glanced in eager, vuI-
gar curiosity around the crowded theatre.
"Why, mother, the gentleman in the
opposite private box" /" returned theyoung
lady. Il have been watching the party
ever since they came in; he is so dark
and diSingIs looking, and the lady SO
elegant"
"Yes, he seems to have tainted. No,
seer replied Mrs. Bennett, che is sitting
up again. But, heavens ! how pale he is,
and with what ghastly smile he puts
away Madam's wet handkerchief and
fan"
'Eho upon earth can they be? quer-
ried her daughter.
The question was answered by her
brother Charley, who Mile declared
was a perfect walking encyclopedia of
town knowledge.
8They are tourists and stopping for a
few days at the Ridge House" said he,
"2nd are from France, Germany, OrsOme
other foreign land"
every defnitew laughed his sister
@But what face he just turned in this
direction? It was positively savage"
"He is evidently annoyed by the vul-
gar curiosity of the people. Everybody
is staring at them. Do look in another
direction, NHIlie. See how the clods arc
gaping? The Lord deliver me from Il
town that apes city ways with country
manners"
The subject of criticism was Major
Lavasuer-the lady with him a widow
ed sister. This much was known at the
hotel where they were stopping for a
time in an Overgrown country town,
( boasting of q couple Of churches rather
smalD, and theatre Of pretentious di-
mensions for the size ef the place, and
by way of contrast, the pride and exceed
ingly better pauonized of the institu-
tons.
Madam Ponsetta had said to her broth
er, after their early dinner:
fHoW in the world Claude, are We to
manage the long evening? five DO not
find something to Kill time it VIII be the
death of us!T
"Did I not tell you, Pauline, that I had
taken box at the theatreP'
"TheatreI" and Madam widely open
ed her ewes. 'rNow I know, Claude, you
have designs upon me. Think Of being
cooped up in a asweltering little hole upon
such q night as thisg'
"Of course It is not as grand as those
In Paris. but it is still quite creditable,
and boasts an interesting bill for the
niCht-an Italian troupe, or something
Of the kinda new prima donna getting
accustomed to the stage and the public,
| it is said, preparatory to a grand debut
in the great city. At any rate it will
passer Ie temps, as you say, ana cbere."
Accordingly at the appointed hour
I they were seated in their box at the
/ theatre, the cynOsure Of all eyes; the
elegant attire and brilliant Jewels of Mad
am cutie distracing attention from the
actors.
She sat tanning herself with a well
bred expression Of ennUi, stared at by
the Bennetts from the opposite box, as
well as the lesser lights, while her broth
! er, sitting at her side, commented upon
the performance for her amusement
at is 4 positive aftlIctiOn, Claude" re-
Z turned she with an expression Of disgust.
Good heavens what a voice that fellow
has. It is too shallow TO be bass, and too
/ heavy TO be anything else. And then
the nasal twang"
"But YOU Will admit his pose being that
of ApollOr answered the Major, "and
what is voice compared to a shapely pair
of limbsP
Madam shrugged her shoulders. But
! the next instant she leaned forward with
an expression Of interest. The young
debutante had appeared upon the stage.
1T is the prima DONNA whispered the
/ Major, also becoming interested.
AT the foot lights stood young crea-
ture so delcately beautiful as to seem
| almost unreal. She was clad in a cloud
| like dress Of the pUrest white, revealing
/ the lovely contour Of neck and breast,
/ and the supple roUndness Of arms. The
/ web Of bright hair was thrown back from
a low, sweet brow, and tlOated as a gold
| en- veil down her back. Her eyes were
/ large, dark and luminous as stars.
Can such a fragile creature as that
sing2 questioned Madam POnsetta, in
whisper
She glanced at the face of her brother,
noticed he was pale as death and staring
at the cantatrice with a dazed, far awsy
/ expression. But before she had time to
again address him there burst upon the
! stiffness a gush Of song that held Madam
and indeed the entire house spell-bOund.
/ 1t was at the outset very soft, though
clear as a flute and had an uncertain
! quiveTing, as that of a bird warbling for
] the first time in its little life. Then it
! gradually rose to such tones of liquid
melody, so full and tender as to entrance
the ear of every listener, and breaking
! into sudden flights and soaring from
height to height.
She stood there, the sweet, beautiful
young sOnCstress, forgetting the gaping
crowd. lost to all of criticism, conscious
lonlv Of q heaven-bOrn power, with her
lhands clasped upon her bosom, and sing
ling for the very love Of It.
Every one sat wTapt and brcathless.
4 Madam Ponsetta forget to move her Jew
Ieled fan, and the Benefits neglected
their gossip And when the song had
/ ceased, and the girl been led from the
stage, with her eyes sparkling as dia-
monds through tears, the well meritcd
applause came.
hJust think, Claude, of such a voice
! being sacrificed TO such an audience
Why it cquals-Hon DiCu, what is the
matter? He has tainted" "
The exclamation was uttered simUlta-
neously with a Ike one from the box
occupied by the Benefits. Madam gave
some directions to hermaid, 6larie, (WhO
sat at tie rear Of the box with her wraps,)
and instantly a glass of water was
I brought. She safurated her handker-
chief. sprinkled the pallid face and very
soon her brother revived. "GN PCfte
dzme r. he mut;erCG, not as yet himself
"You are i'll, Claude. 1t is the bad ar;
/ let us retire" was answered.
He arose with an effort and gathered
strength. as the maid wrapped a shawl
about his sister. 4 few moments later
thew were in the street, and for tie re-
mainder of the evening the Bcnnetts
/ CouId make their comments in the face