The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-12-22
Ill TROVATORE."
BY x. TEMPLE MORE.

The room seemed to have crept into
that grim, prosaic home by mistake, so
bright, SO CHEEKY, SO cosy was it.
Crimson curtains shut out the bleak
November evening. A coal fire spark
led in little open stove, its soft light
making rosy twilight. Everywhere
were dainty feminine adornments, every
where the suggestion of a woman's
presence.
BY small shaded lamp in one corner
boy was porting over book. Swaying
herself slowly backward and forward in
low rocker sat q girl, a child at first
glance, so small was the black-robcd
figure.
A mass of fair curls tangled to her
waist The eyes under the dark, delicate
lids were as blue as meadow violets.
A knock at the door. She sprang to
her feet with sudden glad cry as she
caught sight of the tall, STABILITY dress
ed figure ON the threshold.
"Maxr' she cried. "Oh, Cedric, it's
Max"
She held out both hands rapturously,
her eyes alight. He smiled a little sadly
as he noticed the frank, childish Joy of
words and actions.
"When did you get back, MaxP' the
boy asked, flinging down his book aud
coming forward. We missed you awful
ly. Didn't we, CoraP Awfully!'
Eyes" Cora murmured absently,
looking up into the grave, handsome
face before her and still holding one
cold, brown hand in both her own little,
warm, snOw-white ones. ''Come and
get warm, Max. 1t is almost Christmas
weather. Haven't we the place nicep"
with quiet pride. '.Do you know"
cheerily, sthat sometimes we-Cedric
and I-don't-hardly missioner"
And there was a quick sob. Max
Marsden looked pityingly down on the
pretty, averted, fire-fushed face. She
had begun so bravely, only to falter and
limp lamely to the end.
at is cosy, Cora! 1t is home, dear.
Try and remember you have Cedric,
and love always makes homer
She lifted her head in sudden self de-
fiance. She resolutely curved her lips
into a smile, and winked the bright
tears away.
"Now, next will make you cup Of
tea. l can make tea, you know. And
steak-I can cook steak now, and"
But he laughed and held up one hand
deprecatingly.
what q menu! And what q little
cook it is to be sure! Never mind the
steak, dear. Just let us have cup OF
tea and then we will 60 to the opera. I"
1.-THE operar'
She stood quite still in the rosy fire.
shine, just gasping out the one enchant-
ing word. She was little more than a
child, remember-this girl of sixteen.
And she had never been to the opera.
"Yes-'n Trovatore.' Really and
truly. Now little woman muffie up. for
its seven o'clock and we may be-" using
q genuine Chicagoism, 'bridged?"
One year before Cora Testers father
had died, leaving his children orphaned
and almost friendless. He had been &C
counted a wealthy man. His house on
the Boulevard had been marvel Of al
most barbaric magnificence.
But after his death gradually the
knowledge came to his children that the
only heritage their father had left them
was that of bitter poverty.
Their only relative, an uncle, because
of former enmity with his brother re.
fused to aid them.
So with childish pride taking the
small portion remaining to them they
went out into the world alone.
But slowly their slender purse grew
slighter and slighter. and would have
totally collapsed were it not that Max
Marsden came forward with kindly Of
fers of assistance.
He was only struggling, unsuccss-
full journalist, but he was an old friend
of the family and they looked to him
and trusted him accordingly.
| Many the little comfort which found
its way from his hands to this upper
story room. Cora got work, painting
porcelain for city house. Often, aftei
Offering to deliver it, she would cry ou
In surprise at the ample pay her friend
brought back: "They had q customer
who was willing to pay good pric,
for suitable work." Max Marsden would
answer gravely.
Chicago was not at its pleasantest thil
sharp. unlovely evening. Winter hat
come upon it suddenly, Unexpectedly
Gusts of wind whirled the brown leaves
madly down the avenues. The very car
bells jingled mournfully.
Once the girl glanced up at her com
panion In quick questioning:
"Where is your overcoat, MAXI Yo'
will perishr'
"It's-it's a bad habit to muffie u]
early and-Pm not cold"