The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1880-02-13
And as of old statue thrilled 10 song
At rising OF the sun,
He felt within his soul, silent SO long,
fiia,a r,naaic had heoun -

AAO pAOt~4Ds bAAS 0AGn0 Va 0CCdy III 1l1S
habiliments, in sort of ecstatic dream,
wherein the blue-eyed divinity turned
and blushed and smiled on him.
But he was brought sharply out of
his vagaries by a peculiarly ihcisiEe
voice, and turned to face a grenadier-
looking female, in high, smoky-look-
ing Normandy cap, surmounting sal
low countenance, pair of sharp black
eyes, a mouth garnished with projecting
teeth, which clashed a sort of accom-.
paniment as the lady proceeded to give
poor Ray piece of her mind.
Is 1t that monsieur had not the
money forthcumfngp All, whist world,
where the rich ride over the poor, and
grind their faces in the mud. Mas, ouii
| have had patienee-oh, yes, the pa
tience of one of Gods angels-but the
end has arrived"
But tomorrow answered Ray,
assure you / shall have something. I
have promise"
:" Is 1t that / shall feed longer on
promisesp" screamed Madame Charlton,
with angry sparks in her black eyes.
a bGS! with pfomises-they do not
agree with me. l spit out your prom
ises, my fine lodger, and rent your
room IN two days, in one day, in an
hour. if have not the money. Go,
then"
And, much to Rays relief. she turned
on her heel in a manly fashion and
strobe out of the room as unceremo-
niously as she had entered il.
A discord seemed to pervade the music
after that, and with final crash, into
which be put all the perplexities and
cares that vexed him, the young man
at last shut the piano and went to
bed.
The next morning, after breakfasting
for four sous at a cremerie, he strolled
into large piano store where he had
been promised trif1a for showing off
the instruments. Ray was not in a con.
dition to despise any sort of employ
ment, and SO he was glad to ans wer
questions of all sorts, to rattle off bril-
liant Waltzes when q party of young
people entered, to execute solemn and
stately marches when their elders ap-
peared, and to treat himself with
delicious bits of Verdi now and then
alone.
Sometimes he improvised his own
dreams and fancies. Fro m one of these
he was reused by a voice saying:
"Ah, monsieur, from what opera
then, msy I take the liberty of asking?'
Turning, he started and rose to his
feet in surprise. He saw before him the
gentleman of distinguished appearance
who had driven the mysterious beauty
of the day before. Ray felt the color
rushing to his face, as if the speaker
could read all the foolish thoughts in
which he had indTlppd since
Mats, monsieurr he said, with a
bow; "that is from an unpublished
opera, and exists only in my brain.n
"Ahi does that brain contain much
of the same sort of furniturePn asked the
stranger, with q benevolent smile. Il
ike IL; / am an enthusiast of music,
and gather around me friends of the
same taste. If monsieur would conde-
sccnd to come and amuse us this even
ing will pay well for the favor.n
Ray could scarcely believe his ears.
To be paid for chance to find out all.
it seemed too absurd. He accepted
eagerly, and the gentleman handed him
a card with his address, which Ray saw
at glance was in an aristocratic quar-
ter OF the city. He could not work any
longer, this strange freak of fortune
was so bewildering. He roamed about
like an uneasy spirit the whole day.,
About ten o'clock in the evening he
presented himself at the door of a grand
mansion, which was opened by SER
want in rich livery. The host received
him at the door, and led him into an
immense saloon, lighted dimly with
three wax tapers only. A faint blaze
quivered on the hearth though the night
was chilly, but the furniture was rich
and elegant. Glowing rugs were placed
over the inlaid floors; buhl and ormolu
abounded; Japanese brQnzes and ex-
quisite Sevres were scattered about; q
priceless service of Satzurna stood on a
mosaic table near lady. who was lean
ing back negligently in an easy-chair.
led Ray forward and said, "My wife" !"
So she was indeed his wife Ray saw
again the exquisite face, with the fixed
and serious ewes, which seemed to look
through and through him to his very
movement of the head at the introduce
tion, no smile curved the perfect lips,
no word came from them. Ray looked
around; there was a young lady seated
at a table near with novel in her
li<tllua4 OlG w ttS lllbAO AOQuCCl CtD b1lC 11OSb .
sister. but was more ungracious still,
for she did not condescend to raise her
eyes.
"The mischiefin muttered Ray to
himself, "my host must have quarreled
this evening with his sister as well as
his wife, or she has, perhaps, been op-
posed to the whole entertainment, |
could not have imagined such want of
politeness in a French party"
The hest muttered something about
his sisters studious habits that sounded
like an apology, and then led Ray to a
couple of military gentlemen who were
playing chess. Chess-players, in criti-
cal state of the game, may be excused
for not interrupting themselves; still,
our young friend felt exceedingly un-
comfortable at not receiving the least
nod from these absorbed gentlemen. He
begged his host not to trouble himself
with further introductions
There was a strange stiffness in the
room. which, together with the flicker
ing light and cool atmosphere, seemed
to curdle his blood, He fancied there
was a blush tinge to the slender spears
OF flame that came from each wax
candle.
He sat down and began to run his
hands over the piano. He had never
played to such a rapt audience before.
Whether twas Auber or Donizetti, Mo-
Fart or Verdi, there was not a murmur
net whisper-not ripple Of COM
ment. Grave snd gay fell on their ears
alike. ak-%
The unearthly stiffness appalled, him.
He felt as if he had been transported into
a world of spirits, as if he breathed the
cold, damp air of "a charnel vault. And
yet the beautiful woman, about whom
he had dreamed all day. seemed sub
stantial enough. Her perfect hand
pink-lined like sea shell, dimpled like
child's. lay almost within his reach.
Would nothing rouse his frozen audi
enceP He ratified off gay waltz thai
might have set Quakers dancing, but
there was no sound. His hand shook in
turning leaf. He was really growing
alarmed at the unearthly stiffness. The
leaf fiuttered to the ground. In stoop.
ing to pick it up his hand touched that
Of his silent hostess.
Her hand was cold as icei
He started to his feet with cry. Nc
one moved even then, but the host, who
hurried toward him.
Do not be alarmed - he said; cit is
nothing. / should have explained he-