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


bIushed and hesitated. then tore it
open clumsily, but arrested by the
words, exclaimed in unfeigned delight,
"Oh, Roe it is an invitation to the
Opera tonight can go' Can't II?
Oh it viii! be grand;l 4 have never been
in all my long existence. am Wild TO
60" looked at her pleadingly, for
knew obstacles were thick ia the path
OF any recreaiion Tor me, especially in
the company OF my intended escort.
81 think can manage it this time.
You have not had any amusement for a
long time. You shall go tonight"
had never been TO the Opera, and
the prospect filled me with joyful anti
cipation. Scarcely able to contain my
Joy ran up stairs trying 10 decide
what | should wear, not a difficult mat
ter to decide in truth, as my wardrobe
consisted OF best dress and two every
day ones. | should have to wear my
silk, as / always did wherever | went,
but that would not matter; no one would
know me, and # they dad, they would
also know that | was poor teacher and
therefore could not afford TO dress in
the rich robes of fortune favored gil.
With these philosophical reflections,
laid out my attire on the bed aud went
galy down to the waiting dinner. As
the door bell rang that evening, stood
waiting, and my heart bounded as the
coIored man Knocked at my door, and
handed me a bouquet; said gentleman
was waiting at the door Tor me. Taking a
last hurried glance at myself TO be sure
looked as well as | could look, caught
up fan and bouquet and ran INTO Roe's
room.
Am ] all right? Do you approve
lie is waiting for me, Roe. oh wish
you were going too !"
"You look very we'll indeed heard
the door bell ring a few moments ago.
My day for such pleasure is past: here at
home shall hc quite contented: but #
pleases me to see you happy. Have a.
good time as you can and come home
early"
Il will Try; Roe. Goodbye I"
- leaned aHectlonalely over her, and
with our customary parting, walked de-
mureIy to the front door Fem met
me, and taking my hand in bis, said
i was AFRAID you could not 60; |
trembled al the, afternoon. So YOU
have really eyaded ihe Gofgons Have
they been caught sleeping for the Sc.
cond time : presume you are invisible
l,F hmm as laa.J 81 tra.aTt -
II am really out, aud no one J.,
harmed. ltB wonder They must
be Sleeping" lie led me to the car
RAG, aud carefully helped me 10, AT.
ter telling the driver where to go, he
spraug to the seat beside me. knew
that ! looked unusually well wa,
dressed in a heavy black silk, plainly
made, but eXquI,ilely fitting. A bertha
OF elegant white lace lell over nv shoul.
dcrs aud white lace in the sleeve,
lighted the dress. My hair was brought
to the back OF my head and laid low on
my neck, but from lis waves hung thai
most graceful OF white flowers, III,
Chinese spirea. A cluster at my neck
with a few tube roses, completed m,
attire. As the dark background Of the
cameo throws out in relief the cxqul
steIy carved face, so my robes height
t ned my fairness, and was, as it were
crowned with an aureole. was ra
dianuy happy the excitement ha,
family tInted NY cheeks and my eye,
glowed with eager excitement. Fem
glanced approyingy at my costume, anc
| vas satisfied. Sis always pleasan
TO lady 10 feel that the gentleman whC
is to accompany her Is pleased with her
attire; without this consciousness, there
is little dissatisfaction.
So am to have the pleasure of in
iliatlng a novice into Opera gong. DE-
you know they tell some rare stories o
those who visit the opera for the frs
tlme2 Shall tell you some Of them /"
"PieaSe don't | ain sufficiently ner
vous without any stories. Tell me wha
! may expect TO see"
"W ell, IN the first place, we will stoy
before a large building called the Oper,
House which in lis modesty pretcnds lc
no such dimensions as the Grand Opera
House Of Paris or Milan, or other places
but still is a respectable size for our di.
mlnuliye city. You will find this build
ing lighted, not with electric daylight
but with our ordinary gas Jets. Wa
will walk up brilliantly lighted stair.
way, and lom that will enter private
box; you know these overlook the stage
After we have been there a short time
the performance will begin; that con
slider beyond my powers Of description
so will leave il TO your imagination
saying as an aside, the Opera we see
tonight is very beautiful"
Indeed what is il :"
Martha; and as often as have seer
it, each announcement of its perform
ance draws me to the Opera. / will &c
the llbrctto for you did have one il
my pocket but must have misplaced
it, for ii is not here now"
No matter; dare say | shall emo,
tonight immensely, and you, my green
ness just as much, SO we will be quits.
ITO be with you, darling, is enjoy
ment to me. 1t is so seldom | have
good look into your eyes; there, do no
turn from me; that would be harde
still. Darling, love you so. Don
curl your lip IN that unbelieving way
| know you believe me, is it not so >
He drew me to him, and passed his arm
around me, with a motion that smoke