Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-14

she looked with favor on Inc adNanc0i
of the stranger. who yet was not q
stranger.
Within the small whitc glove was
hidden an envelope; that cover con-
tanned perfumed note; upon its white
page was written three little words
only, without signature, without date.
This note was addressed To 1.-The Viz.
ard" and the words were, "Wait ana
hope"
This expressive missive was care
fully concealed. and the old Count APP
psared with his captivating and lovely
ward, in due time, 1T the opera house.
Every seat was occupied; but direc-
tons had been given. so that in the
event of the Counts application fol-
places, they could be readily obtained.
The ring had remained in the wizard {
hand uncalled for; and and he felt sure
that its fair owner had ut least taken
no umbrage at his proposal, from
the fact that the jewel had not been
claimed.
The strangers JOY was silent, but in.
tense, when the curtain rose at length,
and the eye of the magician fell upon
the looked for objec Francesca was
there! He saw her ia her proudest at
and he felt that his suit had not been
offensive to her She could not ha We
but have found his letter. and he
should get reply TO it. All, how
anxiously did he watch for some token
of recognition from that fair face. and
how weary were the passing moments,
even amidst his rapid experiments,
that interviewed between him and the
proper opportunity to solicit the loan
81 that glove once more.
A wild bravo of hearty Italian wei
come greeted the astonishing and
graceful performer when he appeared
and during the cheering and continued
plaudts which preceded his
commencement of operations for the
evening. he recovered the self-pos.
sion which momentarily deserted him.
under the circumstances, when he made
his entrance Quiet was restored al
last, and the advertisement proceeded.
The kerchiefs the bracelets, the rings
of the ladies, and the watches and the
pocketcoins of the gentlemen, were
brought into requisition in rapid sue
cession for the performance of various
tricks. The broad stage was alive
with doves and paroquets and petite
animals that had risen from the earth.
or been created apparently in the air,
at the magician call; scores of mass.
i've and elegant boquets of flowers were
called from his vesture for general dis.
tribution; vase upon vase OF the rarest
fruits were produced from his tiny
magic thimble. which he stood di-
rectly in front of the stage; and lady :
glove was at last desired by the adroi
and accomplished professor.
A score of outstretched hands were
instantly presented, from which, with
easy gracefulness. the necromancer
made his choice; and retiring 10 the
stage, he bore with him the delicate
glove of Francesca Donati. the Ital-
ian's ward. The experiment was sim
pie but beautiful. The magician
placed the glove upon vase of living
coals: and the audience. some with
surprise. others with solid amusement.
saw it quickly crisped and burned to a
cinder before their eyes. The ashes.
however. were gu ckly and carefully
collected by the magician. who placed
the smoky and blackened ruins upon
a clean silver salver. This he placed
upon a small table near the foot-lights.
and then apologlzed in broken Italian
for having destroyed the lady's glove.
Nevertheless, he declared his willing
ness TO make some amends for the mis-
hap; and forthwith commenced an I'M
Ineligible incarnation over the ashes.
Immediately wreath of bright, blue
smoke was seen to rise directly from
the center of the salver; and as the at
tentive auditory watched, a bud sue
ceeded, then blossom, and as it slow
" rose from the surface of the dish. a
pure, white flower grew out from the
stem, which at last expanded into full
bloom. A shout Of delight followed
this demonstration. in the midst of
which another bud appeared. The
wizard waited moment and then ad
vancing TO the table, he gently opened
the last named blossom. and from out
its center, seemingly, there flew mag
nificent dove, which lowered over the
table an instant, and then alighted on
the magician's shoulder. Around its
neck there hung a silken cord, and de
HUN IL W Us q
package scarcely two inches in length
The heart of Francesca leaped in her
bosom iitfully, for she recognized. or
thought she did. instdnter. the little
package she had trusted TO the stran-
gers honor! But the gentle bird
perched on its masters hand at the
word. and advancing to the dress cir
Gle. he presented the dove TO Frances
ca, and begged her to open the packet
which hung upon its neck. She did so
tremblingly and abashed, when, 10.
compressed within the folds of the lit
tie envelope, unstained and perfect
she discovered her missing glove, A
thousand 6rdcOS succeeded this feat;
the dove flew to the stage; the wizard
retired; and the curtain fell amidst
tumultuous applause.
Ere the laughter and noisy approba-
ton had ceased, the wizard was alone
in his private apartment. He had Sc
cured the little treasure intended for
him. and he saw in it's superscrip-
ton the delicate tracing of a LADY,
handwriting. All. how did his heart
leap again. while he broke the seal of
that note! Its contents were quickly
devoured. There appeared no date.
no signature; but he was half delerious
with Joy and satisfaction, it was
enough! Francesca had deigned to re-
ply to his burning and hastily-prepared
missive of love! The past was forgiv-
en-! He felt nothing. asked nothing.
thought of nothing but the magic
words which glistened on the pages
afnFa hifn--ssW aft anH hnnaff Ia
pressed the tiny letter to his lips, and