Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-07-28

az have asked Miss Lee to take her
Mace. |" h4 said, !" but she pQsitivel re-
fmses IA The part is unsuited to her, and
she prefers her own. Then where could
we lind another Beatrice ~
There was short silence then Cora
stepped from the ranks OF flower girls
and approached the manager Her
cheeks were flushed and her eyes spark
ling.
Z" think I can take her place, she
said. "I have listened very atren lively
to the rebearsals, and know the music
by heart. If Gou will let Inc try, Mr..
Burton"
"You, Miss Worthington ." exclaim-
ed the manager.
eyes. No one else has offered. May
| try?"
"Well, yes A poor substitute is
better than none, and of course the au
|di.nce will not expect Helen Bently's
equal," he said ungraciOusiy, but Cora
sc freely Needed his words.
The new opera was great success
No one missed Comma Worlhington
from the chorus, and Helen Bently's
substitute was an idea. SIMON
The irst murmur Of complaint was
the last. Even the star herself had
never received the wild applause that
was accorded to this humble chorus
girl.
There may have been faults in her
rendition undoubtedly there We're but
there was an earnestness and Intensity
in her acting that carried III" a"''"nce
by storm, and won her a triumph
beyond doubt.
They wondered among themselves
why they had never noticed her before,
why her genius and grace had remain
ed in obscurity so long, and her voice
been unheard.
That night Cora and the manager had
a long talk together, aud on the NOR
row, when Helen Bently sent word than
he had been ordered 10 the south tor
her heal h, Corinna W0rthingt"n took
her place.
When Ellis Gaylor returned 70 the
city after two weeks absen 20, the fifth
story lodger had engaged rooms next to
Miss West own and coming from
the latter one afternoon he met her face
to face in the hall.
| Iii her blue cashmere robes, with lace
at her throat and wrists, and her COL
den hair waved becomlngly on her fore
head, he could scarcely recognize tue
pale, weary woman he had met at the
door a month before; but what had
been a mere suspicion then, became
certainty now.
Cora, i" he cried, and advanced with
0utstretcbed hands then stood still anu
droppAd his arms to his side again.
eyes, Mr.. Gaylor," she answ cred,
calmly, 81 am Cora Worth. F"
"But your other name Miss West
told me. IL" be hogan in contu-
sion.
"That is my stage name she said.
| 81 want TO see you awhile; may |
come in your parlor? "h1 asked.
She assented, and led the way, think
ing then with little thrill of pride of
the Brussels carpet and lace curtains
equal tic Miss Vests own.
There, at his request, she told him
her story, and he listened with bewlld-
cred gaze.
81 wrote you when father died, y she
said. "but you never answered my let
ter"
:" never received II, ne anSwerr't,
"Do you think, Cora, would have
sta, ed away it had known OF your
misfortune No; thought that you
had forgotten me.
"And | thought you had deserted
me-" she said, sadly.
i've have misunderstood each other
dear" he said, softly "b,lt it is moi
too late now to make amends if you arr
willing"
"Oh, Ellis, you know | AIM" sh'
cried, and then his arms were about NJ
and he was pressing passionate kisse
on cheek and lips.
"But, DEAR" he said, by-and-bye
"think what you have to give up TO
my sake. You are growing famous
now all your ambitions
Don't, Ellis" she said, gently
"What is ambition TO love, or fame II
happiness? care for nothing but you
and so long as You love me shall he
happy"
| And she never regretted her choice.