The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-07-30
INTERESTING STORY.
A FAMOUS SINGER.

~ WIS one OF those dark, sleety March
nights, when the heavens above and the
earth beneath are alike wrapped in inky
darkness, when the wind smites like n
two-edged cimeter, and the little flakes Of
frozen snow sting the face like miniature
arrows. The train from St Louis had been
late, and Mr.. Kirkland looked at his watch
as he came out under the row of electric
lights that overarched the terminus gates.
with doubtful glance.
" 1t is too late to go there tonight" he
thought. "Or rather it would be too late
after had got to the hotel and made thu
regulation toilet which society requires.
And after all dear little Erica does not expect
me until to-morrow,-so III just step into
one of the theater5 for half an hour,-I
haven't seen decent play decently acted
since l went to Leadyille."
Thus meditating Mr.. Kirkland paid his
entrance money and walked into the exquis
lite precincts of the Aladdin Theater, where
the walls were covered with mirrors set in
to plush panels, and the very drop curtain
was an oljet dart.
They were playing pretty little PASTORAL
operetta there, with great deal of wildly
painted blue sky, blossoming vines and
picturesque scenery. The blot was toler-
ably good, the acting passable, the choruses
good-but presently the prima donna,
Shepherdess Ia Watteau, with ribbon
Topped crook, golden hair which streamed
Enthusiastically down her back, and pale
blue satin gown, bounded on the stage,
singing wildly and sweetly as any lark
Great Jove!" cried Mr.. Kirkland, in
voluntarily grnsping the velvet-cushioned
arm of his seat it's Erica No IL isn't
it can't be! Yes it is. Erica, herself
How ON earth came she here ?"
And still Leuolie-which, be it under
stood, was the stage-name of the Vatican
bhepherdess, sung on-and the audience
clapped their hands, and applauded, and
bouquets rained down about the little blue
kidded feet, and Mr.. Kirkland sat Ms If
transfxed
Erica Field, thegirl to whom he was engag-
ed, singing on the stage Erica smiling to a
senseless, idiotic crowd, who had paid n
dollar each for the privilege of staring at
her dimpled young face and drinking in the
silver sweetness of her voice ! To Kirkland
it seemed like dream, and most Disagree
able dream, too
Nevertheless, he sat it through. AMI
when the drop-curtain fell, he went around
to the side entrance and asked if he could
see Miss Field.
An old woman with sharp red eyes and
che nut-cracker style of face, looked scorn-
fully OF him. ft6
+" Miss Field never sees no gentlemen
company" said She :" You amt the first
one as has asked for her p
"Will you take my card to herr"
81 won't take nothing /" said this per-
sistent old Cerberus. Her ma comes with
her every night, and"
Mr.. Kirkland slipped coin into the old
crone's withered hand.
81 can see her mother, suppose 7" said
he.
:" 1t won't be of no use," said the old
woman, softening somewhat. But"
Mr.. Kirkland slipped past her. Mrs.
Field, sweet faced elderly lady stood at
the dressing room door, all shawled and
bonneted.
Norman !" she exclaimed. "Mr. Kirk
land !"
Yes," said Mr. Kirkland, in q voice of
scarcely suppressed anger, 1t is I. Where
is Erica? And what does all this mean ?''
He had hardly ceased speaking when the
door opened, and Erica herself came out,
her golden hair hidden by the folds of a
black tissue veil, sober waterproof cloak
drawn over the blue-satin Vatican gown.
Norman I" she cried. "Oh, Norman
oh, my darling"
"Stop," said the returned traveller. 81
scarcely expected to see you-an opera
singerl"
" Do you like my voice Z" she cried, ra-
dainty.
81 like nothing about it !" he said, stern
y.
By this time they had passed out from
under the half circle Of glittering lights,
and separated themselves from the crowd,
and were walking along under the black
March sky, with the sharp wind In their
faces and the sleet Auttsring wildly by.
But, ice cold as were the drifts of frozen