The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-03-13

Bucher pursued. "He didn't steal, did
hep
."Dh, nor the girl answered bitterly.
"He did nothing worse than play me
false. He deserted me, without word,
in The houro my greatest need; left my
father, whom he called his best friend,
TO die in want in foreign country; and
he was rich, too. did not want his
charity, but"
She burst into tears, and Frau Bucher
leaned over to pat her on the shoulder.
"There, there" she said soothingly,
don't cry, child Don't think about
those things. What's the useP Think
about the opera. Won't we two be
grand sitting there like fine ladies to-
night-eh, TheklaP"
"It is my fathers opera" the girl
said, drying her tears, and lifting her
head proudly. "He wrote it, Mrs.
Bucher-every note; and oh, there are
such lovely choruses! First, there's a
lot of soldiers, you know"
In a few moments she was deep in
the plot of the opera, giving the airs as
she went along, till Frau Bucher cried
"IVhy, you know it already"
81 know every note of it," Thekla
said, pushing her toast aside barely
tasted, "and love it all. Tonight l
shall hear it again for the first time in
six years"
"But aren't you going to eat any
thing?"
NO; l am not hungry. Come, we
must be going. The people are crowd
ing in, and there are no reserved seats
in the gallery she said with faint
smile.
She was wondering what that gay
audience would do if they were sudden
ly informed that the daughter of the
man who wrote their favorite opera was
sitting in the gallery.
The house was crowded, and as Thick
la took her seat her heart bounded, for
she saw that score of the opera, as it
stool on the leaders stand in the or
chestra, was resting on pillow of flow
ers. that bore the words:
"In Mcmoriam, Berlin, May 9, 1s -
Someone else remembered, then
Someone remembered that happy night
of her fathers triumph There was
someone here who had been there!
'Oh-h-hr exclaimed Fran Bucher, in
indescribablc tones, as the curtain rose
to the notes of stirring military
chorus.
Thekla leaned over eagerly. For a
brief spell she was happy.
Entranccd by the sound of her faith
er''s music, she sat through the first act
like one in dream. When the curtain
fell, she turned with sympathetic
smile to seedy looking musician, who
had been devouring the score through .
lergnette.
g'Will YOU lend me your glass for &
moment, sirY she said politely.
And when the request was granted
she looked for the first time at th'
house.
The orchestra occupied her some time
and then there was a fair girl sitting il
the lower box, richly attired, and at thu
back of her chair stood Il gentleman il
fautless full-dress costume. 1t wa
Count Edclstadt.
4 low smothered cry escaped Thokla''
lips, and she grew deathly white. Sh'
knew him NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. anC
courtly as ever. And that girl owe
whom he was bending so devotedly-ah
something in the girls heart seemed t.
snap!
'Thekla, child, what is the matter?
cried Frau Buchcr, shaking her slightly
But the lights were dancing away ,anC
the opening strains of the second ac
were swallowed up in the empty silence
of unconsciousness.
Il told you you was working too hare
yet,' said Frau Bucher some time after
wards, when she sat on the edge o
Thekla's bed, chiding her gently fo
taxing her strength too far.
The girl only shook her head Sh,
lay quite still, but her heart was in
tumult.
The opera was over, and the peopl
nt,f n.
thought nothing of Thckla, save to won
der who that woman was who faintet
in the beginning of the second act, an'
: caused such distracting noise in tn
gallery.
1T was very unfortunaten COun
Edelstadt observed to his companion
That vespcr-song was spoiled entirely
! All, Miss Irwin, see what have done
pushed the bottom out of your neN
, opera-bag?
You naughty man! Those glasse
won't go in that bag; they're too large
They're mammals, you see. But neye
mind; l guess can mend it,
NO. he said, putting the bag in hi
pocket; IN get you a new one. In
sorry, but-Ah, here is our carriage
lie went home that night in dream
mood, for the familiar airs of that dea
old opera were haunting him.
Eight years ago, he unused, as h
took Miss Irwin's opera-bag from hi
pocket and looked at it idly. Opera
bags were not in fashion then. Prett
little thing, but not very strong, Stiff
fened with wnting-paper,' he added
examining the bag. 'Eh, what's this
Whoever made this has been using u
some old letters
A mans curiosity is fully equal to
woman's, and Count Edclsladt was no
above ripping the bag omen to find ou
Aphat Ntrittav, ~, HE pnta >, ,,f ,,o,,ar