The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-02-16


sparkle and flash of the blue eyes as
she returned in obedience to the en-
thusiastic recall watched the trium-
phant mien of the old Vaterchen as he
peeped from the curtains Of the mana
gers box, and knew that his last hope of
saving her from this life was dead.
A fixed purpose now shone from his
deep erAy 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 feverish bright,
her mouth still smiling, the violin still
clasped in one arm, while the other
held huge mass of the loveliest flow
ers-a perfect incarnation of triumph.
Earlston sprang toward her with
cry of delight, but with little laugh she
thrust forth the violin, AMI so held him
of.
"You will spoil my flowers she
said, with a playful pout. "See arnt
they lovely?"
"Yes,' he answered, starting back,
"I would spoil your flowers, and so L
have come to say real farewell"
Why? You are not going away ?"
she asked, troubled expression COM
ing into her face. -.
"Going West" he answered, abruptly.
Perhaps I, too, may some day break
forth from my chrysalis ; at all events,
1 will find something more to do
something beyond this everyday plod-
ding. Goodbye II and without waiting
for an answer he was gone.
In the corridors he found old yater-
chen, his face one 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.
What you CO." exclaimed the old
gentleman, seizing Earlston's unwilling
arm. Nein, nein, that makes not"
as the young man attempted to offer an
excuse. We must haf a little of good
times, s,a-sholly celebration, nichtwhar." !"
But Fred slipped away at last, and
rushing forth into the night soon lost
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
guelite, this German daisy, was sounded
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 fa7orite. All that winter
Vaterchen felt himself growing daily
weaker and weaker, the strong current
of excitement preying upon his old,
worn frame, until with the coming of
the 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
off from all old associations, placed in
an unreal atmosphere, surrounded by
jealousy, rivalry and fattery, she longed
for
"The touch of vanished hand,
For the sound of voice that was still P'
During tho 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, al
ambition, save to requi'- the ones who
had drawn her ont 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 hel
violin in her arms as she always would
trusting no one else with its care, in
the short space intervening between
hall and waiting carriage, her foot
slipped and she fell heavily to the harj
pavement. Even in the act of falling
however, the old instinct enabled hel
to hold her beloved instrument out O.
harm's way, but the act cost her dear
for her right arm received the full
force of the shock, and was mangleG
and crushed into an almost shapeles:
mass.
Who can tell of the dreadful struggle
that followed-the fierce rebellion
against the skilled surgeons hard de
cree?
"Oh l cannot, 1 must not lose it
DOCTOR" the poor child screamed in he
terrible agony. "You will not be 81
cruel. There must be some way Il
save it. There must be-"
"My DEAR" answered the kind ole
man, touched by her hopefulness whel
all was hopeless, 81 wish-I only wisl
for your sake that there was"
"'Then let me die" she urged
passionately, burying her face in tn,
pillows.
But death when so entreated seldom
: comes, and so few weeks later Mar
: guerite sat in an easy reclining. chai
looking out on the passers.by, her fai
face pale and worn, her empty sleev'
concealed under soft draperies by he
loving maid, her bonny blue eyes filled
with despair.
| Suddenly the door opened. Their,
, was rush of fresh, invigorating air,
thrill as if some strong presence hat
entered.
i The girl turned her head slowly
} languidly, uninterestedly, and saw he
, lover, unchanged save for the NOR,
resolute, manly bearing.
"Fritzp she called. half doubtingly
! and then sprang toward him.
} "My darling" he answered, as h,
clasped her close. ...
! "But how did you knowp" she asked
/, 1 IL a. 4