Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-03-23

and again as soon as the last note had
died away, and the girl turned to leave
the stage. Standing far back in the
shadow Of q huge column, young Earl
ston watched the slender form as it
passed of between the wings; watched
the flush of pleased excitement, the
sparkle and flash Of the blue eyes as she
returned in Obedienceto the enthusiastic
recall; watched the triumphant mien of
the old Vaterchen as he peeped from the
curtains Of the managers box, and knew
that his last hope of saving her from this
life was dead.
A fixed purpose now shone from his
deep gray eyes. Working his way
through interminable corridors, through
masses of machinery and avenues of un-
slightly scenery, he at length found him
self at her dressing-room door, and
heard her well-known voice bidding him
enter.
Marguerite sprang to her feet as she
saw him, her eyes still feverishly bright,
her mouth still smiling, the violin still
clasped in one arm, while the other held
huge mass of loveliest flowers-a per-
feet incarnation of triumph.
Earlston sprang towards her with
cry of delight but with a little laugh she
thrust forth the violin, and so held him
off.
"You will spoil my flowers" she said,
with a playful pout. "See arn't they
lovely?"
gee he ansN Noreu, sIarUlng back.
--Ould spoil your flowers, and so l
have come to say real farewell"
"Why? You are not going away?"
she asked, troubled expression coming
into her face.
"Going West" he answered abruptly.
perhaps l, too, may some day break
forth from my chrysalis; at all events,
will find something more to do-some-
thing beyond this everyday plodding.
Good by" and, without waiting for an
answer, he was gone.
In the corridors he found old Vater-
chen, his face zone vast substantial
smile," his broken English pouring
forth in wild attempts at oratory, shak-
ing hands with every one-on the very
topmost pinnacle of happiness.
"Whatl you CO." exclaimed the old
gentleman, saizing Earlston's unwilling
arm. 'Nein, nein, that makes not" as
the young man attempted to offer an ex-
cuse. 1--WE must haf little of good
times, IA sholly celebration, nicht-
aCdhr?n
But Fred slipped away at last, and
rushing forth into the night, soon lost
sight of the brilliant lights, heard no
longer the clatter and laughter; saw only
the awful blank in his future; heard
only the voices that called to him from
the awakening powers of the West.
All that Winter the fame of this Mar
gucrite. this German Daisy, was sound
ed all over the length and breadth of
her adopted country. All that Winter
the young girl lived the restless, uneasy,
dissatisfying life OF public performer a
popular favorite. All that winter Vat
erchen felt himself growing daily weaker
and weaker, the strong current of ex-
citement preying upon his old, worn
frame until with the coming of June
roses he grew tired unto death, and lay
down for long rest.
Then Marguerite realized the loneli-
ness of her position, the isolation of her
new sphere, as never before. Cut of
from all old associations, placed in an
unreal atmosphere, surrounded by jeal-
ousy, rivalry and fattery, she longed
| for
1.-THE touch of vanished hand,
For the sound of q voice that was still!'
During the Summer she wandered
about from one secluded watering place
to another, finding everywhere those
who were eager to claim an acquaint-
ance with the successful violiniste, but
none who cared to befriend the lonely
| girl.
The opening of the season found hel
again in the fitful maelstrom of profes
sional life the novelty worn away, all
ambition, save to requite the ones who
had drawn her out of obscurity, to pay
the debts that necessity had incurred
dead or dying in her.
Then came the sorrowful ending!
One December night, after an un
usually brilliant ovation, as she stepped
out into the icy street, holding her vic
lin in her arms as she always would
trusting no one else with its care, in thu
short space intervening between hal
and waiting carriage, her foot Slipped
and she fell heavily to the hard pave
ment. Even in the act of falling how
ever, the old instinct enabled her tt
hold her beloved instrument out o
harms way, but the act cost her dear
for her right arm received the full fore,
of the shock and was mangled an(
crushed into an almost shapeless mass
Who can tell of the dreadful struggle
that followed-the fierce rebellion
against the skilled surgeons hard de
cree?
''Oh! I cannot. must not lose it
DOCTOR the poor child screamed in he
terrible agony. You will not be ST
cruel. There must be some way to say
it. There mast be-"
"My DEAR" answered the kind ole
man, touched by her hopefulness whel
all was hopeless. Il wish-I only wis
for your sake that there WERE"
"Then let me die," she urged, pas
sionately, burying her face in the pil
lows.
But death when so entreated seldom
comes, and so few weeks later, Maj
guerite sat in an easy reclining chair
looking out on TO the passers-by, he
fair face pale and worn, her empt
sleeve concealed under soft draperies
by her loving maid, her bonny blue eye
filled with despair.
Suddenly the door opened. Their
was rush of fresh invigorating air,
thrill as if some presence had entered
The girl turned her head slowly, Ian
guidly, uninterestedly, and saw he
lover, unchanged save for the more resc
lutte, manly bearing.
"Fritzn' she called half doubtingly
and then sprang towards him.
IA i L 4 1