The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-01-28

Ahe girl oniy snouK ner mead She
lay quito still, but her heart was In a
tumult
The opera was over. aud the people
wero coming out They knew and
thought nothing of Thelka, save to
wonder who that woman was who
tainted in the beginning OF tho second
act. and caused such n distracting
noise in the gallery.
ut was very unfortunate!' Count
Edelstadt observed to his companion.
That vesper-song was spoiled entire
ly. All, Miss Irwin. see what i have
done; pushed the bottom out of your
new opera-bagi'
You naughty man! Those glasses
won't go in that bag; they re too large.
They're mammals, you see. But never
mind; | guess | can mend It..
NO" nc said, putting the bag in his
pocket; "pll get you a new one. I'm
sorry, but All. here is your car
riago.
He went home that nightin dreamy
mood, for the familiar airs OF that dear
old opera were haunting him.
Eight years agoP' ne unused, rs he
took Miss Twins opera-bag from his
pocket and looked at it idly. "opera-
bags were not in fashion then. Pretty
little thing, but not very strong. Stiff
ened with writing-paper, he added,
examining the bag. 'Eh, what's this?
Whoever made this has been using up
some old letters.
A mans curiosity is fully equal to a
woman's, ana Count Edelstadt was not
above ripping the bag open to find out
what was written on this scrap or
paper.
1t proved TO be a letter-head, read
ing:
Lorgnettc and Gay, Opticians,
No. IS Oliver street.
Then below, in clerks hand. was
following part of letter:
miss Theka NJ, 100 Brown ST.. City.
dear Miss There is an extra order for
opcra-bags TO go out iii
The rest was cut of, but that did not
concern Count Edelstadt
He leaped to his feet. Could it be
possible that he had found her. after
all these yearsP His lost love, Thelka
his promised wife! Would the morn
ing never dawn. that he might go and
seek her?
Thekla was sitting, the next day,
very listlessly by her fireside, when
there came a bounding step on the
stairs and an eager knock.
Pardon metz said the glad voice of
one who paused on the threshold.
Frau Bucher told me to come right
up. Thclka darling! don't you know
me? i am"
Felix
Yes. yes!" he cried clasping her in
bis arms. "Where have you been hid
ingp | have sought you so long"
But you never came to see US after
"Steinmetz told me you had gone
away, and he could not give ME your
address. | waited to hear from you,
and when you never wrote, thought
-
That was false! Steinmetz knew
very well where we were, but he had
stolen my fathers operas, and he
tried to keep anyone from finding it
out.
Il heard that afterwards, and |
found out that you had come TO Amer
lea. But have tried SO often TO find
you; and oh, Thekla, | have been so
unhappy
Then you did not forget!' she fall
tered.
Forget" he echoed; but his only
answer was TO fold his arms about her
and lay his cheek tenderly against
hers. 'Dearest-always!' he muir
INJURED. "My poor little girl! what you
must have suffered. ION, if that vii
lain Steinmetz--"
HE is dead" Thekla said gently,
"and it cannot matter now. can
bear anything. Felix, with your
A few days later. Miss Irwin re-
ceived very handsome new opera-bag
and superb pair of gold-mounted
opera-glasses, with the compliments
OF the Count and Countess of Edel-
stadt."