Saint Mary's beacon., 1881-02-17

iOuFi1i hotthS tuC tudtiSC III ~ ihSCs
Nothing, or at least, nothing you
would care TO hear" said, laughing
constraInedly, for the words that hoated
through my head were these, what
woman cares most for in this world is
man" No higher aim, no grander plat
form to which she could be elevated
1t is justice. | have nothing to say.
81 care to hear any thought s. ou may
have and the grave philosopher looked
so out OF characterin This gallant speech
that could not help smiling a. I won
dered if he philosophical over his love
and reasoned out its multi!udinous man
ifestaiions. Perhaps all he says is
ground outby wellreguated machinery.
But the stoppage OF the carriage dis
PEELED my lancies and the presen. be-
came paramount Hastily buying H.
brctto, he took me 10 his box and drew
our chairs to tie front.
Would you like 10 examine some OF
your neighbors - he Sid, taking out an
elegant opera glass.
Thanks; do not suppose there is
any one here know. Yes, let me
have them moment" holding out my
hand lndidrrently.
"Ah then, look in the gallery near
the middle Of the front and see il there
is not familiar face"
Sweeping the house slowly with my
glasses, | reached The designated seat,
they trembled second, but the next,
swept on leisurely. aud apparently
scanned the crowd with attention,
had seen but one face in the whole
house. Lowering them, folded my
arms and sat back 10 my chair IN utter
iorgeltulnrss OF my surroundings. Did
Lewis know | was coming How was
It be trailed across my path wherever |
wcnt' The light and fragrance Of The
scene were gone, aud in stony despair
lelt that the glare OF the lights was ia
tense, the perfume OF the flowers over
powerlngly strong, and all was very
tre-eme. looked hopclessIy at the
gallery m hopes that there might have
been some mistake. No, there was no
doubt that ii was he, with his arm.
folded, and naughty, handsome head
thrown back. lie was not looking al;
ms, bat knew the slightest move in the
box was watched with unceasing ylgi-
lance,
Did sos kaclg ho was coming this
evening did be know lllat YOU were
coming ?" said Fem. without looking
at me.
Not through me, and am sure Roe
did not mention il. he mui be d.
yDucr Of thoughts for have no win.
dow 10 my soul.
Except your eyes. lic is fine
looking man. itl se4dom you meet I'm
err
"FcrY; II he were stranger, should
unhestatingly pronounce him hand
somg."
Ills physique, stranger or not, IS
perfect. As TO the soul, the shade
stamped by il on the iace is rather re-
pelling.'
While he was speaking, the musi-
clans took their places, and the voices
were lost ia The wclliog harmony
sympathjzcd with the rnnuyed Martha,
aud with breathiess interest and deep
est excitement, followed her career TO
the happy denouement OF the play ---
did not notice the attention our box
received or see the lorgnetts Ievelled TO
get look at Paul and the lady with
hlm. Who can she be p But absorbed
in the music and acting, remembered
that Fem was beside me only when the
music ceased. As the curtain fell on
the last scene, drew long sigh, and
reluctantly returned TO the every day
world.
"Your face has been a study. | new
er saw such enthusiasm before. You
were designed either for a great artist
or an appreciator Of great artists. Tell
me what YOU think Of Operal'
Il think it very bewitching; had |
my life work 10 choose, would ask for
no happier life than that Of great Diva.
! cannot thank you enough, Fem, Tor
bringing me tonight. Music is go-
rious never feel like the same per-
son after ii ceases. While | hear it,
am something nobler, purer, with grand
possibilities and unlimited capabilities.
How bard it is 10 realize again the bald,
bleak realities Of life But cannot be
ETHEREAL till disembodied; the memory ol
this evenings pleasure will be like the
faint, sweet strains OF an Ko!ian harp
that will echo and re-echo through my
soul forever"
How happy ! am TO have given you
! pleasure. You will dream OF il tonight
Darling, will you dream Of me, too p
No need to dream OF you; you are
such substantial reality II said Smil-
ing, and raising my eyes as we decend-
ed the stairs, | smiled across into the
dark, scowling face of Lewis Rodan.-
How quickly the smile on my face van
ished, and dread despair drew its pale
covering over my features Fem hur-
RED me to the Carriage, but as we drove
of the mocking, sneerlng face peered
at us from the gloom. Feen tried 10
soothe me, but in vain. was com.
pletely unnerved, and though | neither
cried nor laughed, trembed and my
heart huttered wildly.
Don't get out Of The carriage; he
will be waiting TO hurt you. Do listen
TO me" | said, when we reached the
house, but he spTang coolly out of the
carriage, assisted me out, and going to
the door, waited till Roe answered his