The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-26
MARIO's ROMANCE.
An Ugly Woman who Pursued the Great
Singer for Three Years,

L was SOJOurnlDg IN ST. Petersburg. During
the progress OF party, at which I was guest,
the lady OF the house asked permission to
present me to one of her friends, a young
society woman" very wealthy, passionately
fond of music, and DESTROYS of becoming ac-
quainted with me. | acceded to her re-
quest, and my fair hostess took my arm and
led me into dainty little salon, where her
friend awaited me.
Now that l am a white-haired old man,
with no other passion but a weakness for
archaeology, l may be permitted to say that
in my time, was not unsuccessful with the
fair sex. So | must confess that | felt a
triHe conceited over an introduction which
had so close resemblance to an amatory
rendezvous.
But what a Disseminating experience
awaited me- Heavens, what repusiye ugli-
ness The young woman's head was n genu-
inc skull. They had left us alone The lady
OF the house and her friends were making
merry in the adjoining apartment, but kept
up appearances, and was as polite and formal
as possible. Still, but one thought possessed
me; to find fair means to terminate as
quickly as practicable tete-a-tete so compro-
mlsing-tor my reputation as "ladykiller."
Unhappily, like death, to whom she bore so
strong likeness, my admirer showed no in
clinatiOn to loosen her hold. | could only
get rid OF her by accepting an invitation to a
luncheon and making the date as distant as
could.
In our subsequent intercourse our CONVEX
sation always remained within the ethereal
limits of the realm OF music; it would have
been too distressing to have been compelled
to lose my cloak under the ice-laden skies of
Russia. One thing treasured me-the near
approach OF my departure for America,
whittier was summoned by brilliant en-
gagement, My calculations were vain; the
lady prosecuted me for three years; for three
long years the skull followed me in every
cline.
l sailed in due course for America, and
the bad dream I dreamed in St. Petersburg
had flown away, driven off by the ocean
breezes. OF Il sudden, emerging from a COM
pauionway of the ship as from a trap-door
the sinister vision reappeared with crown
Of roses upon its head. During the whole
journey, upon the deck of the packet which
she transformed into a gigantic Charon' S
bark, the skull obstinately dogged by foot
steps.
At length we arrive and l breathe more
freely But, on the evening of my first APP
pearance l behold my st. Petersburg geneuse
opposite me. And thus it was at every sue
ceeding performance. [ return to France,
and she returns by the same steamer
One night was singing at the Italiens
i was somewhat ont of humor. Before
going upon the stage l glanced into the au-
ditorium through a small hole in the curtain.
Oh, terror! Ny eyes met those of the skull.
ayers office.
Monsieur" said l. 81 have Just per-
ceived in the first row of stalls, a woman
with head like q skull, who has tracked me
to Russia, to America, upon two steamships,
and whose sight affects my nerves most
dreadfully. If you do not find some way to
remove her tonight swear it will be impos-
sble for me to sing"
"Can you think of such a thing, my dear
Mario? The house is sold, the court ex-
pected-"
II would rather break my contract and pay
forfeit!'
But how can send away a society lady
who has bought her seat and whose behavior
is unexceptionable%'
THAT is no concern of mine. Make her de-
part or I win not performr
The perplexity into which my ultimatum
plunged the hapless director OF the Italiens
may be imagined A few minutes afterward
satisfaction, that, under some pretext or
other, and at the risk of a lawsuit, he had
succeeded in disposing of the nightmare.
gave vent to sigh of relief, and the sympa-
thetic demonstration which greeted my APP
pearance revived my spirits.
II Puritani" was the opera. The band had
executed the preliminary bars of my aria.
attacked the first notes, when suddenly, from
a box overlooking the stage, a shower of rose
leaves fell upon me.
Everybody was puzzled; every glass in the
theater was leyeied at the fingers plucking
the rose leaves. The shower kept on, and
merriment prevailed. l alone took no part
in the general hilarity. Furious over the
interruption of my grand air, / endeavored
to intimldate the rose-scatterer with glance,
and behold-the skull! l narrowly escaped
falling PROSTATE with nervous fit.
Alter that unfortunate experience a
month went by and | saw nothing more of
the too poetic dilettante. l was delighted
when l missed from every representation the
ill-omened face, the skull that appeared to
say: Brother, we must die' One evening
however, | was dressing, when young man
who, / was told, belonged to the best society,
but who seemed to be in condition of ex-
IRENE excitement, asked to see me at once
on most pressing business. | sent a message
to the unknown, saying that was at his dis
posal
A few seconds later the young man hastily
entered my dressing-room.
Sir" said he, 81 have not the honor of
being known to you, but they assure me
that you are an homme de c1ur and / am
come TO beg OF you an immense service"
What is it?'
Il must have two words in your hand
writing or some article which has belonged
to you"
Willingly, but should like to know
ut is i'll fulfillment Of the last wish of q
dying woman"
quite romance"
ALAS! reality is dramatic enough. A
lady-one of my relatives-is dying. She
wishes to be inferred with a necklace bear
ing something in remembrance Of YOU
Discussion under such circumstances was
not to be thought Of l complied with the
last wish of a dying woman. Before dawn
OF the following day my eccentric .admirer
had passed away.
Heaven preserve forever and aye the ten
ors of the future from similar bonnie for
tune!