New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-16
CHAPTER Nv.

For Just moment almost believed that my lost
soul mad returned to me. But knew Immediately
after, as well l know at the present moment,
that the sensation felt thus suddenly beholding
Elsie Vernon was purely physical ana t tnas the
other equally strange and unexpected incident
might have done. Else's surprise on finding an old
chid-over in the person of Signor Alberto was so
obvious and the en- otOn caused by the rush of
memories my presence awakened was 80 great, that
the crowd which filled the stage OF the Opera
Parisenne would probably have been favored with
a scene from q drama such as no one among them
had ever dreamt Of had not been for the volatile
Scarati That gentleman, who suffered under NJ
such disadv antage myself gave full vent to his
surprise and JOY, and thus covered my confusion
from my fellow-perfOrmers.
The rehearsal dragged It's slow length along 10 It's
conclusion, and | offered Elsie my arm to conduct
her to her carriage. | would have left her there
but for her whispered invitation to accompany her
She gave the coachman the word 10 the Bols S nc
Boulogne and we drove thither in silence. She
stopped her carriage at the entrance OF secluded
path and we walked side by side to a rustic bench.
Jack she said presently you are very much
YES answered. Time works changes in us
might have added that she had not remained I'M
changed. | had left her girl; l found her q
woman, perfected by sorrow;
A great deal has happened SINCE we met last, sne
come q noted singer, and too, If may trlst your
mad friend Volney, aud Others beside him. You did
not tell me. when We last met, that you sang. You
praised Scarlatis voice but yours is greater than
his. Everyone says So.
This style of con fersaton not likely to add to
my comfort, and tried TO change t.
TELL me all your life since LAST saw you.'
Az | remember her story now it seems 10 me that
nothing had ever heard OF read could have touched
il for simple pathos There was no widness OF grief
in her words or voice sorrow had made home in
her heart and was a settled guest there | knew
that guest might be replaced by another, and that
love might drive out sorrow but had no heart TO
hope that that love would be any MESSENGER of
mine. She told me all the sudden disaster that
had driven her from tho home of her childhood !;
49, 81 gfP aft at
of poverty of foodlcss days and seepless nights
of the death of her aunt, the one human being who
still chung TO her; OF the sOrdd cares and ugly ac-
cidents Of her wIctched existence; of yolneys APP
him. 'A "
Il called him mad she said a little time ago,
who are now as / was them that there were more
madmen like HIM in the world, 1t would be hap
pier place. think sometimes he is the best gentle
man ever met. His soul is az beautiful as his body
is grotesque! And you too, and Scariat how good
you were L have your letter nov shail keep III
ALWAYS. ] could see your face as read IT, IL was
like Won as you were when were children, brave
and kind and generous
How do yor like your present life 7 asked.
81 like it. suppose, as well as should IKE any
other she answered YEARLY. seem 20 old, Jack.
] seem to have outlived everything and all my
friends aud to be quite alone in the world. am so
lonely; know no one In all TINS great CITY, except
who lives with me. and you And you seem
changed Jack. can't tell how, but you are not as
The world is full of trouble. Hunger, and death,
and disappointment: one finds them everywhere.
| used to think the world was such pleasant place,
and full of happy people, in tho old times and now
IL seems as If there only two kinds OF people IN
the world-those who seiiish- and those who are
sorrowful
Have You heard nothing OF your old frendsp
MY old friendsf No, Jack Neither Signora
Tremola nor Miss Jones is likely to find Elsie Yer
mons old friends. They wouldn't have cared for
MIss Jones, and SgnOra Tremola does not care for
them a.
lesson of eynicism already
'Cynicixui, Jack No You are wrong there.
am not cynic. / don't think could be one But
there is a wide tract 30 travel between Lady Cara
melss dra wing room and the Opera Parsienne, and
have kept my eyes open on route that's AL,
Jack
She rose YEARLY, and accompanied her back to
the carriage. and watched IL drive away and lose
itef in the deep green shadows OF the trees. Night
Was falling a night of storm and cloud Tor IL was
as vet barely evening judged by time. Before me
Law Paris under the imnennty of the stariess sky,
~ long lines of street and boulevard picked out IN
waving lines of FIRE. There WA dull vacuity IN
brain and heart more painful than any pain could
have felt. The woman had loved. o woman whom
knew TO be- worthy Of . purer and nober love
than had ever been mine 70 give cried out TO me ior
love and I had none to bestow; Twas empty, save
of that leaden sorrow had grown to know 80 wei.
I wandered on, asking myself many questions as
| went Did Elsie love mel And II she did, could
in iustioe ask her to share my lifef could not
lovs har. INIT miaht at loast be hAr ehlnid and