The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-04-22


sconced, within long range to be sure,
but in good view of the stage.
Too we'll accustomed to his Partially
for female beauty on or of the stage,
his companions do not notice the sud-
den change in expression, the marked
earnestness OF manner, and the pro-
longed use of the opera glass by their
friend, as the "favorite" advances
slowly to the footlights.
Favorite, indeed and small wonder !
Such rare, peculiar beauty A slnall,
graceful form, mass of wonderful
: auburn hair, and dark, sad eyes-rest-
less, and glowing like Goals of fire as
( they roam titfully over the house-down
stairs, over tho galleries, through the
/ boxes, and YEARLY back to the lights
at her feet.
She sees nothing, however, but the
glimmer of light, the flesh tinted sea,
and the shadows thrown around like a
/ cloak.
1t is the last night of long ard sue
cessful engagement, and feeling akin
to love for the great mass of human
beings who have petted, praised, and
made her their idol, stirs within her at
/
welcomes her presence. She owes it to
them to show how the "Queen of One
Heart" can rule.
And never was part so played be-
fore. The feryid glow of genius, ex-
cited to white heat, melted and bent
and shaped the scenes through which
she passed, enhancing the ears, start
ling the hearts, and maddening the
senses of the spell-bound throng. More
than one close observer noted the I'M
wonted excitement, the unusual blaze
of the luminous eyes, the'spot of flame
on each cheek, and the passionate vi
| bration of the exquisite tones, and one
young fellow, III seat far back, drop
ped his glass and sank back in his seat
with sigh-perhaps of relief. ut is
impossible! 1t cannot be! She had a
dear little voice, to be sure, with which
she sung her quaint little ballads for
him but this Oh no, it is quite inn
possible!"
Once, twice, thrice, she is recalled.
For the fourth time the thrilling tones
rise above the peals of applause. The
beautiful arms are outstretched, the
wonderful face Illuminated by 81 strange
light, the whole frame in tremble of
passionate excitement; when suddenly,
and without seconds warning,
break in the voice-a swaying of the
slight figure, a few gasping sounds-a
shiver-and senseless line of glitter
ing costume, a white face distorted by
pain, two little hands clutching the left
side, meet the gaze of the grief-stricken
crowd.
Expressions of pity, shame, and re-
morse at their thoughtless greediness
pass from lip to lip as the people lin
geringly dispense, and foremost in the
small crowd of the more venturesome
who press behind the scenes is tall,
elegant form, with an unaccustomed
look of anxiety in the bold, bright
eyes, as he passes his few courteous re-
grets to the manager who received
them.
Put "Madamoiselle is too i'll to see
any one. Only n trifli g indisposition,
to be sure: slight attack of the heart
to which she is subject; still the doctor
insists on absolute quiet, or serious re-
suits may follow"
Il will see her in the morning." he
thinks, as he comes away. Il must
know for certain. And Fate meets
him at his hotel with telegram
business of the utmost Importance de-
handing his presence Immediately with
the Eastern braU ch of the house-and
six hours later with a small grip in his
hand. and great disturbance iii his
heart, he is on his way toward the
rocky fence between him and-WHAT?
1t is Christmas Day in Chicago, and
the boulevards of the gay young metrop-
oils Iesound with the Jingle of many
bells and the voices and gay laughter
of the merry riders.
The reflected light of the snowy world
streams into long, low room-the
same little room whose poor shabbness
witnessed the pitiful parting within its
four walls Just one year and half ago.
But it is no longer the poor little
room, with scanty furnishing, but
dainty boudoir, in which everything
that refined taste could devise or wealth
furnish is to be found.
Only two familiar oh. ects remain "a
large, brown armchair and tiny shell
The big chair stands N a corner, look
Ing Sulleu anu lOHtSOHlS, auu-tIHpby.
The shell is mounted in gold frame,
and ingeniously covered with glass.
It's contents-the ashes of two cigars
A girl, frail and slender, but very
beautiful, is lying on soft couch OF
creamy satin. kich auburn har falls
over the cushion. The eyes are closed,
the little hands crossed over bosom
whose quick rise and fall show that the
attitude of WEAKNESS belongs not to the
rest of sleep. The breath comes fitfully
through the sweet parted lips, and all
the tears have not quite left their beau
tiful homes.
A large bouquet of flowers is on a
table near by, and beside it an open
letter, both messages from the manager
of the opera of which she is now the
acknowledged and idolized star-the
dear, kind gentleman, who has been her
brother, friend, and counselor ever
since the day she first appeared before
him miserable, beautiful girl, and
begged him for Gods sake to save her
from the dark lake bv letting her go
with his company. He never sought to
know her trouble, only to share it, to