The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-05-13

laid at her shrine. She wore q thin
white dress, when, in reaching her
arm upward, the material caught in
the flame of candle aud blazed up
ward. She uttered slight scream,
and stood paralyzed with terror.
He tore off his coat and threw it
about her. With but a few slight
burns, she was unframed: but as he
held her in his arms, close to his
wildly. beating heart, he knew that
sophistry and false reasoning lay in
the ruins of his pride at his feet-that
he was but nIan, and she but q
woman, with the glorious dover of
her beauty and genus; and that, to
gain her, he would count the world
well lost.
"Eleanorn" he said in a low, sup
pressed whisper; ''my love! my
wife!"
But, If she had waited for these
words, she heard them not. She had
swooned upon his breast.
The next day, she would not see
even him, SO carefully must she rest to
be able to undergo the evenings per-
iOrmance.
Each hour now which delayed the
telling Oflove dragged into an eternity.
He longed to see the marvellous eyes
forget their sadness, and to hear the
sweet lips murmur Yes to his wooing.
Evening came at last AS usual,
the house was crowded. More lovely
than ever she appeared at the stated
time. The exquisite voice had lost
neither strength nor sweetness.
He had come to the front of the box
tonight; he wished not to lose sim
gle gesture. His glance devoured her.
The opera was almost finished. 1t
was at the close of the third act of 'La
Somnamhula," and Eleanor was sing
ing the pean of praise and thanks
giving which is so beautiful test of
vocal skill. Higher and higher rose
the lovely voice as she advanced to the
front of the stage, smiling at the audi
ence, when suddenly her voice broke.
A man, clad in common seafaring
dress, had carelessly strolled into the
building, and strangely enough saun-
tered into the aisle of the better por-
ton of the house. On him her glance
rested. Her face grew deathly pale.
Her hands clasred convulsively.
Then she stretched out both arms
toward him, in sight of all that won
dering people.
pierre! Pierre!'' she cried, and
oh, the matchless longing, the exqui-
site joy of those two simple words!
Then recovering herself, she took
up the strain where she had dropped
it, and ended it in a burst of melody
which seemed scarce human. a#
Like one man the house rose to
their feet, but the sailor stood as if
carved in stone. Like one walking in
his sleep, Jack Desmond left the place.
What did the scene mean he just
had witnessed? From one source only
might he learn yet he dared not seek
the truth. Merciful heaven! even
this torturing suspense were better
than the more torturing certainty.
But next morning came note con.
tanning but three words: 4
"Come to me-"
She was waiting for him.
"Have I done wrong not to tell
you ?'' she began. "Ah, but thought
never should see him more, nv
Pierre! He loved me; but he was poor
and I had no dover, so he went to
sea, and 1 sang, that I might save
enough to marry on his return. He
did not come, I thought he had for
gotten me; but last night 1 saw him.
1 am rich now-very rich. We can
marry. Oh. tell nae! are you not
glad for me?"
VI a uIOLucuI Iilc uldu u0arL D6aL
to suffocation. He who loved her SO
well to give her to this man of the
people, whom she preferred to him.
Yet might it not be that she did not
know her own heart ? He forced him.
self to calmness. $3.50
Eleanor" he said. quietly, ire
member your lover is where you left
him. You have scared far above him.
May you not regret your choice ?"
"With Pierre p" she questioned.
proudly. "Ah, night and day through
all these years have dreamed of
bim."
you love no other ?"
"None."
And as she spoke, she raised her
eyes to his; but the veil of sadness
had dropped-they were lustrous with
their newborn joy. They answered
him more fully than her spoken
words. But going out from her pres