The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-02-25

the other with n smile, and then Bay
bowed and walked on.
| Strange how the face of that woman
haunted him. The steadfast, immov-
able face, where all the life of hope
seemed indeed dead for ever. And yet
there was a wild-rose bloom on the
cheek, ard the lips were red and full.
The sorrow, whatever it was, had not
wasted or changed the soft, round out
lines, or drawn dark lines of grief be-
meath the lovely eyes, or paled the fresh
color of the young face.
He must know something more of her.
Perhaps the man was not her husband,
and then he might reiea sc the beautiful
creature from some hateful bond or
slavery.
What strange sweet airs stole out be-
meath his hands that evening as he
turned his fantasies into music.
He had always set his dreams to
music; but now-now it seemed for the
| first time that
/" He heard strange melodies around linn roll,
Sudden and sweet as when
The stars of morning sung, and from his soul
Uprose the glad AmenP
| And as OF old statue thrilled to song
At rising OF the sun,
lie felt within his soul, silent 50 long,
Lite's music had begun"
He forgot al the perplexities that had
been haunting him all day, the rent that
he owed, the hunger that had gnawed
his vitals, the signs of decay in his
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 incisive
voice, and turned to face grenadier-
looking female, in a high, smoky-look
ing Normandy cap, surmounting a sal
low countenaDce, pair of sharp black
eyes, a mouth garnished with projecting
teeth, which clashed sort of accom-
paniment as the lady proceeded to give
pool Ray piece of her mind.
"Is it that monsieur had not the
money forthcomingP All, what world,
where The rich ride over the poor, and
grind their faces in the mud. MGiS, otti!
] have had patience-oh, yes, the pa
ticnce of one of Gods angels-but the
end has arrived"
but tomorrow, answered Ray, al
assure you / shall have something.
have promise"
"Is it that 1 shall feed longer on
promisesp" screamed Madame Charlton,
with angry sparks in her black eyes
81 bGS! with promises-they do not
agree with me. 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,
tLen."
And, much to Rays relief she turned
on her heel in 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 he put all the perplexities and
cares that vexed him, the young man
at last shut the piano and went to
bed.
The next morning, afHr breakfasting g
for four sous at a cremetie, he strolled
into large piano store where he had
been promised trife for showing off
the instruments. Ray was not in con-
dition to despise any sort of employ
ment, and so he was glad to answer
questions of all sorts, to rattle off bril-
liant waltzes when a 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 tancies. From one OF these
he was reused by voice saying:
"Ah, monsieur, from what opera
then, may take the liberty of askingP
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 INDUCED since.
MGiS, monsieur!" he said, with q
bow; THAT is from an unpublished
opera, and exists only in my brain"
All does that brain contain much
of the same sort of furnitureP" asked the
: stranger, with It benevolent smile. u
ike it; / am an enthusiast of music
and gather around me friends of the
same taste. If monsieur would conde
scend to come and amuse us this even.
ing l will pay we'll for the favor"
/ Ray cONld scarcely believe his ears
} To be paid for chance to find out all
it seemed too absurd. He accepted
! eagerly, and the gentleman handed hin
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 abou
g like an uneasy spirit the whole day.
} About ten o'clock in the evening ht
presented himself at the door of grant
| mansion, which was opened by a ser
want in rich livery. The host received
him at the door, and led him into al
e immense saloon, lighted dimly will
1 three wax tapers only. A faint biaz
S quivered on the hearth though the nigh
was chilly, but the furniture was ricl
e and elegant. Glowing rugs were place.
s over the inlaid floors; buhl and ormoll
j abounded; Japanese bronzes and ex
quisite SeVres were scattered about;
: priceless service of Satzuma stood on
i mosaic table near a lady, who was lean
ing back negligently in an easy-chair
II She did not look up as the gentlemal
j led Ray forward and said, my wife.
So she was indeed his wifel-Ray saw
!e again the exquisite face, with the fixe