Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30

Ter, sue stopped, ana btoou polltcly vi
one side.
cater You, madam" said Cecil, bow
ing.
She responded by another bow, and
came forward, affording our hero mo-
mentary view of mn exquisite migonnc
face, framed in halo of bright gold hair,
anil lighted by pair Of large eyes, that
sparkled like the wine Of Here's, when the
sun shines through it.
The vision passed out Cecil passed in.
and the concierge closed the door between
them but brief as the encounter had
been, it was long enough for the trans
mission of one of those subtle seeds
which, entering by mems eyes into their
hearts, take root there, and grow and
grow till the mans being is Incorporated
with theirs.
IL met lovely creature on your door
step we're you the fortunate object of
her visit p were the first words the young
Englishman uttered when theusual greet
ings were over.
Mr.. Foljambe laughed. .
"Men of my profession get plenty OF
favors of that sort, my dear fellow, only
the obligation is generally supposed to be
on the other side That was Mademois-
tlle TStellt, Ille 1tW bOpluuO.
"Madame Estelle for whom Ofenbach
wrote his last opera II exclaimed Cecil,
excitedly. mo wonder the Parisians are
all raving about herl"
"Umph public favor is not the surest
test of merit" retorted the elder man.
"The mob would idolize novice with no
moro melody in him than stick, if some
exalted person set the fashion. We shall
1 To-
rows ordeal That must decide her
claims to be primo donna in the musi-
cal world"
The order of merit which occupied Mr..
Foljambe's mind had quite another basis
from that which took Cecil's fancy cap
tive for whereas the elderly critic was
considering the quality ola singers voice,
the young man was thinking only of the
charms of n womau's face.
| Tomorrow ordeal y repeated Ches-
terton. "Ah, to be sure the first repro
sentation of the new opera, and she is the
Queen Of Hearts :"
Eyes it's pity you've engaged your
SELF" Mr.. Foliambc responded. "The
scenery alone is worth going to sec. Sew
eral of the best painters of the day have
been employed upon il"
| SeCll uuCTOSseu LIS legs, CIosbSu tiohi
again, and gave his light brown nous
tache two convulsive wrigglcs.
| "What time does it begin p he asked,
at length
"They will commence the overture at
eight o'clock"
~ meant what time does she first ap-
pear p
"She?"
Eyes; Madcmoiscle Estelle-the
Queen Of Hearts.
"Oh-ah-she comes on with Gonzolla
half m hour afterwards"
mot till half-past cight?' said Cezll,
eagerly Strengthening himself up in his
chair "Let me- see my uncle's com
pany is invited for sevcn-two brother
clerics. Surely they won't take an houl
and half over their dinner. Afterwards
I'll get myself excused. With little
management, l think I may be there il
time"
at will be worth making an effort for,
snid his friend. "Gastrclli takes the par
of Pedro, you know
But it was not anxiety to hear the is
nous baritone which made Cecil Chester
ton offer the cabriolct driver double fare
to drive him fast to the Opera House mex
evening.
Thanks to the good Offices of Mr.. Fol
. Jamie he possessed n carte of entree t.
! the reporters box, which was close to tn
stage, and he was Just entering it when
thunder of tumultuous applause an
nounced the fact that the celebrated dc
butdntc was upon the boards.
Some one indicated seat to the new
conner, which he took, but for the rest h
remained oblivious to everything abou
him but the one object WEIGH riveted hi
gaze. He had not supposed anythin,
could be 60 lovely rs this fairy creature il
glistcning draperies of silver tissue, wh'
looked more like one of those half-celes
tal beings our forefathers worshipped
than IA woman compounded of carthl
clay
Cecil had been separated from the sc
auctions of European life for many years
1t must be remembered that his opportu
mites of interviewing pretty white girl
had always been rare.
! Mademoiselle Estelle was typica
Western blonde. By birth an American
and by training Frenchwoman, sh
: combined the perfection OF Western forr
and texture with that charm and vlvacit
| 7 of manner which is distinctively French
\ She had figure like sylph, smil
fit to inspire hundred odes, and tn
most intoxicating eyes that were eve
created for the destruction of men. Blu
Q beyond and above ali scared her voice.
Could anything not angelic sing lik
1 that? As Cecil Listened, the tide OF SON
seemed to bear his heart up and up, as
cending heavenward like the lark till
ceased, and he dropped suddenly to tn
I dull earth again.
l Oar story is not concerned with tn
! plot of the opera but the tragedy GU
t inmates when the Queen Of Hearts
called upon to sacrifice either her cour
! try or her lover and the situations pre-
l viled are such as n sympathetic actor an
It fine vocalist can scarcely fail to rende
effective.
: That night Madamoiselle EStelle estal
: lished her reputation Ms the first sopran
o in Europe The musical world opene
= its arms to embrace new Drinlo donna
n and even our phegmatic friend Mr.. Flo
Q jambe admitted she was daisy.
l. As 5000 rs the curtain fell on the clo
o ing scene, Cecil WAS swept into the greer
= room with the tide of critics and repor
It ers, all intent on pouring hbations {
tlattory to the queen of vocalists and I'll
J. most versatile Of composers.
!, Cecil had no eyes for Olleubach. II
i pushed after mr. Foliambe into grou
a which surrounded the new Gree, an
y pinching the worthy critics arm, viii
pered excitedly, "Introduce me"
"a "Most happy-anything to oblige
!. was the calm response ''and rs retui
"a favor, my dear fellow, let me beg 20,
n merciful forbcarance towards my anat
q N.Y." ~.
Ia miss Estellc," continued the crit
" raising his voice little, elf You have
Z grain of human kindness in your natur
i, you will relieve me of the pangs of viz
le section by at once admitting this gent
i. man to your acquaintance. Whilst h
ar enthusiasm is denied it's appropriate vel
" arp, ia l,ninu ninphpl llo.lE nj