Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-09
ALCIDOR:
Or, the Power Of Song.


AlciGor.
"C'est magnifque! c'est charmantm-
sit It's superb! ravishing" was whispered
alike in pit, boxes and gallery, as Alci-
dor was singing 30, Richard! O, mon
ROi"
Aud when he finished the beautiful
s ong IN the second act of the opera, "Un
reve 81 doux" the public enthusiasm
ouid no longer be restrained. The house
shook with thunders of applause. Even
Robespierle's features were, for the mo-
m ent, litup with an agreeable smile.
The favorite seemed neither to notice
the enthusiasm of the audience nor the
smile of satisfaction on the 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 lis 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 ian, whilst he, beside himself,
stretched out both arms towards her
The audience knew very we'll that the
ma!quise was Aicidor'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 raptorous
sone; as his guardian angel The applause
woo e. IL
quise as for the singer.
the next morning Alcidor was reclin-
ing on d couch, exhausted with the past
evenings excitement, arrayed in gor-
geou silk dressing gown, and with his feet
feet thrust calelessly into pair of Turk
ish slippers.
There was an air Of agreeable confusion
about the room, On a tam BORNE was the
ermlne mantle il 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 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 pleasant reverie
A rustling at the door aroused him, and
the next minute sweet voice asked
MAY come in?" Alcidor started up. his
countenance radiant with delight. He
fastened 10 the door, opened it, and the
ma:quise entered. The singe stood
speechless with establishment and ioy at
this unexpected visit; but the marquise,
who did not remark his embarrassment,
hastily bolted the door, enquiring earn
estly, "Can any ore hear usS'
mo, no one" he replied, scarcely able
to command his voice, from emotion; and
falling on his knees, he exclaimed, 90,
Cecilia, you come to me, you deign to
honor this Wretched apartment with your
presence! Thanks, ten Thousand thanks,
my tltalar genius, my guardian angel,
my beloved!''
Not so--not sop said the marquise,
anxiously- Listen, I beseech you Some
time since ] gave in-o your custody
small box, of which you promised to take
care for me. May I now ask you to re-
turn it2''
Alcldor went to his bureau. The
marquise watched him breathlesslY as he
sought for the box amongst books, notes
and letters, and when he had found it she
could not repress joyful scream.
quickly she pressed spring; the lid
new open, and costly jewels were exposed
to view.
"Look, Alcidor,' said the marquise, ex-
citedly; "this IS all ne property I Dos
sess, and you have carefully preserved it
for me-
Alcidor kissed her outstretched hands.
20, Cecilia exclaimed he, "what do I
care tor dazzling jewels, costly though
they are? lvur eyes are my jewels, and
your love my treasure. Say you still
love me-"
The marqnise was silent.
80. say you still love mel" besought
Alcldor. "Speak to me, I beseech you -
you, the JOY of my life!"
The marquise turned pale: her
eyes filed with tears. Suddenly she
flung herself at his feet, and, raising her
beautiful arms, sobbed forth. 80, Aicidor.
forgive me; ] have deceived you!'
The singer drew back, and exclaimed.
'You NO longer love mer'
"Forgive mel" entreated the marouise.
30, do not look at me like that. Spurn
me, kill me, but do not look at me like
that"
Alcidor recovered his self. command.
Stretching out his hands towards the
marquise, he cried, "Stand up, madame
That is no true position for you!'
But the marquise replied, 81 will not
quit this lowly position until you say
you will forgive me. Listen to me patient
ly a moment. You remember the cruel
outrages of the 10th of August? I saw
my father and mother slaug Uttered by the
men whom you call the protectors of
France They forced me to be witness,
Alcldor, OF their death by the guillotine
Then they thrust me back again into nv
prison, to be guillotined some other dav.
But that night I was set free. Count
Roger obtained my pardon from Robe
sphere. I had disdained his love bnt he
saved my life, and out of gratitude re-
solved to devote my life to him."
Alcldor, as she went on speaking, coy
ered his face with his hands. His low
sobs alarmed the marquise, and the tears
started into her eyes, as she continued:
Il secretly became his wife: I could
not love him, but could only thus re-
compense him for saving me-"
"And wht retore did you marry him
thus secretly2" said Alcidor, reproach-
fully.
ITO prevent suspicion. Apparently be
rescued me through the selfish motive Of
obtaining possession of my estate, which
he could only obtain by marrying me.