Louisiana capitolian., 1880-08-28


grace and loveiiness Of his visitor burst
upon him. II was 30 much interested
in this article that | quite forgot was
waited upon by lady caller. Is there
anything l can do for you, madame"
Agnes explained her errand.
"Your face, figure, voice, and pronun-
citation are in your favor, assure you
but have you the necessary talent for
delineatiug your character If you con
prove to me that you have, | shall be
very glad of your services. Now, to-
night we play tie School for Scandal"
Our Lady Teazep is not reliable, on ac-
count of illness. If you could take the
character we should be delighted"
"There will be no doubt with regard
to it, sir. am perfectly familiar with
the part"
"Let me hear you read it, if you
please"
Agnes unfa!teringly read the selection.
Remain to rehearsal, madame. be-
lieve you will do"
And so it proved. No fault could be
found, and the manager had sense enough
to know that lie had secured a prize.
That evening. Agues, uuder "nom
de plume" was called before the curtain
ut the conclusion of each act, showered
with bouquets, and literally overwhel'
med with enthusiastic admiration. She
rose in the profession so rapaidly, and her
intimate friends-although not few
were convinced that their tavorite was
the former Agne Sheldon-recelved no
look of recognition and the woman
who, abused and disowned, robbed other
darling, penniless and forsaken-wbo
had attempted in so many different ways
to earn respectable and comfortable
livelihood, now found her appropriate
sphere and III one years time occupied
fine suite of rooms in one of the best
hotels, aud was surrounded by luxury.
Not only did she deny herself to all
visitors, but went from the carriage to
her rooms closely veiled, aud always
dined in her own apartments.
Among the ladies at the hotel to whom
Agnes felt herself especially attracted,
was married woman, about her own
age, who occupied apartments contig-
uous to hers. 1t passing through the
hall, she often saw her bending fondly
over baby. sometimes soothing it to
sleep with a Joyous melody sometimes
there was plaintiveness about the music
which touched the heart Of Agnes but
the babe She had never allowed her
eyes to rest on an infant since her own
cruel loss.
One morning, Agnes, who had been
engaged with her costumer ia the cal
culation of certain dresses for new play
with her long, brown, lnstrons hair
| floating around her, stood for moment
at the door of her room, giving the last
order.
On lounge near the open door of the
opposite room lay the little one which
had several times before attracted the
longing mothers attention. A certain
something in expression or style of feat.
ures struck Agnes strangely, and for d
moment she almost ceased to breathe
Then. without word, by your leave,
or Excuse me- she entered the room
and approached the couch. The gentle
man and lady drew back, at the look Of
pain on her sweet features. For mo
ment Agnes stood entranced; then witt
a glorious smile, she turned to the won
der stricken couple, and in a moment
recognized the gentleman who, yea'
previous, had entered her miserable
dwelling.
You remember me, sir | see. an
the mother Of that babe, and now
claim her. | should have recognized
my darling had l not remembered you
on account of that mark on her righ
arm. We will share her together she
continued, noticing how deeply he
wolds affected the young wife. 'Bu
she is mine-bone of my bone, and hesl
Of my flesh. Oh, God make me thank
fnl for this last most unexpected kind
ness
Mrs. Winthrop arose, took the babe
from iss couch, and, imprinting kiss o,
her velvet cheek, laid her, still sleep
ing, in her new found mothers arms.
They are still the warmest friends
and little Blanche divides Ler tim
between her real and adopted mother.
We should be toe happy to inform
the reader that the miserable cause @
ali this wretchedness died and left Az