Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-12-25

10 loss himself in his part--to be for very
short time the very devil. There was
mere life in the creature and yet ielt
the effort-the purposod abandonment OF
himself Anybody could see that he was
more vigorous. that his favorite Mephisto-
phelian attitude was less shaky; the pit
became more attentive the gallery more
excited; there was some applause. Al
the sound of applause MephiStophes
pricked his ears like a war-horSe. He was
warmed bv that unusual fire; he felt that
he was acting with unwonted force. rs
he opened the iewel-case. and temptations 5
paste flashed brilliant IN the stage gas
light, his mocking laughter rang with
startling effect. Even my neighbor in the
stalls gave n slight movement. What
chance had the paper roses of cotton
velvet Siebel against that magnificent dis
play?
''Perchance. said FaustuS, "Shc will
choose the flowers.
Not if she be Eyes daughter cried
the old gentleman with almost hysterieal
passion.
There was round OF applause, and
much laughter of iocular husbands and
fathers in the gallery; but it struck me
that the devil showed too much emotion.
His mockery was surely too fierce. How
ever. it is certain that the old gentleman
had never before appeared SO strong. He
swept Faust into concealmcnt behind
tree with an appearance of power, and he
peered forth with terrible malignity to
study the working Of curiosity. Who
could have brodght those Jewels? When
Margaret. entering. had found the casket.
she raised her eyes, | thought that she
was looking at me The shadows under
the dark browS were turned in my dlrec-
ton; felt rather than saw the hali-closed
eyes in the shadows. In a moment knew
that | was mistaken-that | bad been
thrilled in vain: and | laughed at my
vanity. She was looking at my neighbor
with look both defiant and bored, which
was quite out of keeping with the char
actcr which she played. When that SEN
sible woman, Martha, found the girl with
diamonds in her ears, and discerned the
situation in an instant. Margaret BETRAYED
but little astonishment.
''Tis a present from lover-perhaps
from a rich lord, who has fallen in love
with YOU cried the fat little housewife.
"A lover! O heavens - said the girl, and
a motion which lacked impulse. as if she
would take the jewels from her ears. In
deed this was phlegmatic Gretchen. |
turned my eyes from herto heriather. who
was sneaking from the stage. The old gen
tleman had some elaborate stage business
here, which occupied much time. He
moved from covert to covert, and paused
in divers attitudes that might watch the
working of the charm. Now he seemed to
1,n 1nin,r tba l,a ,,,aaboti,u1lt- H.
unusual force had deserted him Ills
elaborate progress was i'll slightly wavy
lines. His expression was peculiar. Never
before on the face of fiend was look so
pathetically human. | passed my hand
over my eyes that might trust my own
impression. II was the face of wan old
ghost drawn back by invisible forces into
the shades-a ghost with dim longing
eyes fixed on his dearest, who abode in
the upper gaslight already iorgetful of
him. 1t seemed impossible that the whole
house should not discover this umparall-
elled phenomena-th impossible devil.
/ glanced at my next neighbor in the
stalls; he was holding his opera hat
against his lips; it was harder than ever
TO read his expression. ! was uncomior-
table, as il | were at n double perform
ance--as if two familiar dramas were in
terwoyen in anightmare. "Sure. It's the
prince of Trebizond. who is travelling in
cognite," cried judicious Martha and
Margaret bit her under lip and from. She
cared not jot for the character nor the
audience. At the end of the second act
my neighbor again left his seat but | did
not follow him. ! was at once ,listless
and restless.
In the last act the old gentleman played
splendidly. ! could still detect in him
unusual excitement, and was aware of his
excitement, and was using it for artistic
ends. 1t filed the lines OF his conception
with abounding life: instead of meagre
sketch here was glowing picture in
stead of tremulous but careful player a
vivid mocking devil Within the vast ca
thedral, where Margaret tries to pray,
stands the tiend in shadow. more and less
than human. angelic and batlike The
old gentleman was positively appalling.
'Close in upon her, spirits Of darkness
take your own" Then the demons are
heard lowly chanting through the heaven
ly music. and Margaret falls senseless.
This swoon was admirably managed by
the girl, who for the rest had PLAYED the
part poorly enough The remainder of
the story was disposed of with amazing
speed. The butchery of Valentine, the
madness of Margaret rushed by to the
throb of violins; and there was the old
gentleman in the supreme moment. Bai.
fled he glared at his lost prey, but could
still mock at all thing aud himself. "'Tis
enough to make the devil swear to be
robbed Of such a dainty There was
slch scorn and and spite in his words that
! turned cold and shuddered. Even the
audience was moved; and as the curtain
fell there was loud and general applause.
The old gentleman stepped out smirkinr
and iaunty, and turned up his ewes with
conventional respect for the gallery
Concluded Saturday.
The peculiar adaptation OF DR.. Bulls Cough
Syrup to 50 many phases Of Throat and Bron-
chial diseases has rendered this remedy inn /
mensely popular. Sold everywhere. - cents (