Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-03-20

And for all this" she said bitterly, IL
have to thank Guy Travers."
Then, with the few dollars remaining at
ter all debts were settled, and her hrst love
| forever. The villagers shook their heads and
locked grave whenever Madge HeathcOte
was mentioned.
Weak and weary Madge Heathcote arriv-
ed in New York. after journey of sixteen
hours. The next morning, after scabty
breakfast, she started to ind her Old music
teacher, IN the hope that he would be able to
ard her in obtaining pupils; but her heart
sank when, arriving at her destination, she
was told that Professor Schwartz had been
dead more than year.
What was she to do now? She went from
place 10 place, but without any success what
ever She was a stranger, alone and friend
less, aud IN all that great, grand city there
was no place for her.
II will make one more effort she said.
81 will go to the great Sign0r de LAMA and
ask him TO aid me, and If fail again | can
but return to my poor logging and make a
fresh start tomorrow"
Asking the first policeman TO direct her to
the residence of the professor, she started
thither. SignOr de LAMA listened attentive
ly while she told him the sad history of her
poverty and utter friendlessLe,s and her
anxiety to earn an honest living.
When she had finished he requested her to
let him hear her play, and seating herself at
the piano she played brilliant fantasia,
which he pronounced '..well DONE
"Weli," she said. Let me sing something
flor you; want to know if you think / could
earn my living with my voice"
Then. after few preliminary chords she
sang, with great expression, Home, Sweet
Home" The professor listened breathless-
I,r ha 4 ha Sa.nnA ynrca-anH % a
recollection of her dear old home and the
mother she had lost came back 10 her, she
burst into tears, and her head sank upon the
keyboard. De LAMA was deeply moved.
He went over to her, and placing his hand
kindly on the bowed head, said earnestly:
'SignOrina, you are friendleSs; let me be
your friend; come and make your home with
us. have yOung daughter who will be
delighted to have a companion about her own
age, and-SignOrlna. listen-in five year
you can make your fortune with that mag
nificent voice. You have one OF the finest
voices have ever heard in America
You can make my fortune in i've yearsv'
she repeated. Are you sure?'
'As sure as that you aGd are in this room
that is, of course II you will pat yourself en-.
tirely under my management" he answer
ed.
A glad look crept into the weary black
eyes, 81 ght color into the pale cheeks, as she
repeated over and over again to herself:
"a fortune In five years. 1t is long time
but can afford to watt
y
"You really must go to the opera tonight,
Guy; don't believe you have heard Viola
de LAMA yet; all New York is raving over
her. She is quite the fashion,"
Guy Travers had just returned from a
three years tour on the ointment. He had
forgotten all about that little episode in Vir-
ginia five years ago. In looks he had not al
tered one Iota, tut was the same handsome,
careless fellow, a1d all his dear five hundred
friends were glad to welcome him home
again.
asked in careless tone II do not remem-
Der of bearing of her abroad"
mo, she Is new star from Italy, believe.
Her father Or uncle, fJrget which, l. her
manager; and a deuced old bore he IS too,
can tell you; won't let fellow look at her
off the stage, much less speak TO her."
All right, III 60 with you and see your
divinity" said Guy.
That night the opera house was crowded to
excess. When the singer appeared in all her
regal beauty she was wildly appauded, and
Guy Travels, as he looked at the graceful.
rounded figure, the dimpled white arms, the
glorious black hair piled high on the proud
head. little thought that this Queenly wom-
heartlessly five years before.
Inc opera over, Jack MOrdaunt presented
himself at the stage door and sent in his
card, asking permission to introduce to The
signOrna his friend Guy Travers. The sig
norma sent out her regrets, but she would
be unable to see either gentleman that night.
Night after night they received the same
answer. THE signOrina was very sorry, but
she was too much fatigued," etc.
For three weeks Guy Trayers was the first
To enter the opera house and the last to leave
1t each night; and although his friend often
chaffed him about being hard hit and re-
marked his worn, haggard face, he was not
the man to give up while there was the
faintest shadow of a chance to win. On
Viola de LAMA he had staked his all, even
though 1t was reported that she was be-
trOthed of Sir Maurice Conway, wealthy
English haronet.
At last fortune favored him. AT grand
dinner party he met her, and was supreme
ly happy. She said she was delighted to
see him, as she seen him so often at the
opera house, bu of course, she did not
know he was the "Mr. Travers whom MIR.
M0rdaunt wished to present. and she was
so sweet and gracious that he was more in
fatuated than ever.
Tbs day she had so longed for had come
at last. For MOI . than five years she had
waited, and now sue would pay him back in
his own coin. She invited him TO call ON her
whenever he had nothing else to do" and
she would always make him welcome.
AFTER this he was always near her, and
for three months he was her devoted slave.
During this time he often saw Sir Maurice.
but as Viola did not seem to notice him much
he did not consider him rival.
One evening he told her no " dear she was
to him; how he wOrshiped her, and how, if
IL would serve her, he would gladly Law down
bis life for her dear sake.
he took the dimpled hand and smOthered
1t with kisses; then he answered.
Viola, my darling, until saw YOU new
er met woman for whom cared one iota."
And when was that?" she questioned.
when did you see me first-remember now
the very first tIme?'
THE ght you appeared in 'Traviata,'"
he replied.
"And you neverIoved any one before thate
can scarcely believe YOU" she said laugh
inglv.
Viola, darling, you have told me N I'll.
ing OF your life, and you know L am so Gag
er TO know everything about you, my
MY early life would be scarcely interest
ing to you, Guy, as il was very sad one. -
she replied; land my career i'm public ends
with this month. And yOu," she declared.
, have told me nothing of yours. Come, Guy,
am your cOnfessOr to night. Is there moth. |
ing In the past that You regretPr
confession Il good for the sOul,n he |
lu0th gayly. mo, no my dearest, there Is |
nothing l regret or repent of expecting thai
dld not meet Viola de Lama years ago"
he had utterly forgotten Glenmore then.
IL ne mad only remembered that she might
have had some pity, but now
tfuy, you are sure you love memo other
woman IN the world but me?" -, : I