The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-03-13

rip-roaring statesmen and aspiring local pa
triots most terrifcally fiat.
-ag' ALCIDoR:
Il Or, the Power Of Song.
>.
It was the height Of the "Reign of Ter
rors" in Paris. A crowded audience was
breathlessly listening to the favorite tenor
,Alcidor.
"O'est magnifquel c'est charmaut"-
ut is superb! ravishingv' was whispered
alike in pit, boxes and gallery, as Alci
dor was singing 20, Richard! o, mon
Roip'
And when he finished the beautiful
song in the second act Of the opera, "Un
reve 81 doux!" the public enthusiasm
could no longer be restrained. The house
shook with thunders Of applause. Even
Robespierre's features were. for the mo-
ment, litup with an agreeable smile.
The favori,e seemed neither to notice
the enthusiasm of the audience nor the
smile of satisfaction on tho countenance
of the terrible Robespierre. His eyes
were steadily fixed upon one of the
boxes, in which sat the Marquise d. An
vile. Vainly he sought to catch the
glance of the marquis; she was deeply
engaged in conversation with gentleman
who was sitting near her in the box and
seemed to be totally unconscious of the
singer. But his ardent gaze at length
aroused her; she seemed to recollect her.
self, and, leaning forward over the front
of the box, waved him her handkerchief
and fan, whilst he, beside himself,
stretched out both arms towards her.
The audience knew very we'll that the
marquise was Alcidor's beloved-that he
devoted his love. voice and life to her,
and they honored the lady to whom Al
cidor frequently alluded in his rsptorous
song as his guardian angel. The applause
was now, therefore, as much for the mar
quisc as for the singer.
The next morning Alcidor was reclin-
ing on couch, exhausted with the past
evenings excitement, arrayed in gor-
geou silk dressing gown, and with his feet
feet thrust carelessly into pair Of Turk
ish slippers.
There was an air Of agreeable confusion
about the room On tamporine was the
ermjne mantle in which the singer had
appeared on the previous evening. On a
chair lay, carelessly huddled together, a
Spanish dress and gypsy costume. On a
small table were guitar and a dagger,
whilst on the piano, where lay the open
music book, stood bottles and champagne
glasses. Alcidor threw quick glance
round upon this elegant disorder, and
then, with an ironical smile, leant his head
back on the soft cushions of the couch
and sank into a pleasant revere.
A rustling at the door al ouscd him, and
the next minute sweet voice asked
MAY come in?" Alcidor started up, his
counterance radiant with delight. He
fastened TO the door, openedit and the
ma,quise entered. The singer stood
speechlcss with astonishmtnt and JOY at
this unexpected visit; but the marquise,
who did not remark his embarrassment,
hastily bolted the door, enquiring earn
estly, "Can any one hear us1''
mo, no one" he replied, scarcely able
to command his voice, from emotion; and
falling on his knees, he exclaimed, 30,
Cecilia, you come to me, you deign to
honor this wretched apartment with your
presencs! Thanks, ten thousand thanks.
my titalar genius, my guardian angel,
my belovedi''
mot so--not sol" said the marquise,
anxiously. "Listeu, beseech you! Some
time since J. gave INFO your custody a
small box, of which you promised to take
care for me. May now ask you to re-
turn it,"
Alcidor went to his bureau. The
marquise watched him breathlessiv as he
sought for the box amongst books, notes
and letters, and when he had found it she
could not repress a joyful scream.
Quickly she pressed a spring; the lid
flew open, and costly jewels were exposed
to view.
"Look, Alcidor," said the marquise, ex.
citedly; "this IS all the property I pos.
sess, and you have carefully preserved il
for me-"
Alcidor kissed her outstretched hands
20, Cecilia" exclaimed he, "what do
care for dazzling jewels, costly though
they ares Your eyes are my jewels, and
your love my treasure. Say you still
love me-"
The marquisc was silent.
30. say you still love mel" besought
Alcidor. "Speak to me, beseech you
you, the joy Of my lifel"
The marquise turned pale; hel
eyes filed with tears. Suddenly she
flung herself at his feet, and, raising he1
beautiful arms, sobbed forth, 30, Alcidor
forgive me; have deceived you'll
The singer drew back, and exclaimed
"You NO longer love me!'
"Forgive mel" entreated the marquise
20, do not look at me like that. Spur
me, kill me, but do not look at me like
that"
Alcidor recovered his self command
Stretching out his hands towards tn,
marquise, he cried, "Stand up, madame
That is no true position tor youp'
But the marquise replied, II will no
quit this lowly position until you So,
you will forgive me. Listen to me patient
~ moment. You remember the crue
outrages Of the 10th Of Augusta I saw
nv father and mother slaughtered by thu
men whom you call the protectors o
France. They forced me to be witness
Alcidor, Of their death by tho guillotine
Then they thrust me back again into my
prison, to be guillotined some other day
But that night I was set free. Coun
Roger obtained my pardon from Robe
sphere. had disdained his love, but he
saved my life, and out of gratitude I r.
solved to devote my life to him."
Alcidor, as she went on speaking, GOV
cred his face with his hands. His Low
sobs alarmed the marquise, and the tear
started into her eyes, as she continued:
~ secretly became his wife; l coulG
not love him, but | could only thus re-
compense him for saving me-"
"And wherefore did you marry hin
thus secretly9" said Alcidor, reproach
fully.
"To prevent suspicion. Apparently b.
rescued me through the selfish motive O.
obtaining possession of my estate, which
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