Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-29

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interesting quartetts comfortably en-
sconced, "within long range" 10 be
sure, but In good view Of the stage.
Too well accustomed 10 his partiality
for female beauty on or on the stage,
his companions do not notice the sud-
den change In expression, the married
earnestness Of manner, and the pro-
ionged use Of the opera glass by their
friend, as the "favoritep advances
slowly TO the footlights.
Favorite, indeed and small wonder!
Such rare, peculiar beauty! A small,
graceful form, a mass OF wonderful
auburn hair, and dark sad eyes-rest-
less, and glowing like Goals Of fire as
they roam fitfully over the house-down
stairs, over the galleries, through the
boxes, and wearily back to the lights
ut her feet.
She sees nothing, however, but the
glimmer of light, the fiesh-tinted sea,
and the shadows thrown around like a
cloak.
1t is the last night of a long and sue
cessful engagement, and a feeling akin
to love for the great mass of human
beings who have petted, praised, and
made her their idol, stirs within her at
the well-known hum Of admiration
which welcomes her presence. She
owes it to them to show how the
"Queen of One Heart can rule.
And never was part so played before.
The fervid glow of genius excited to
white heat, melted and bent and shap-
ed the scenes through which she passed,
enhancing the ears, startling the hearts,
and maddening the senses of the spell
bound throng. More than one close
observer nooed the unwonted excite
ment, the unusual blaze Of the lumin-
GUS eyes, the spot Of flame on each
cheek, and the passionate vibration of
the exquisite tones, and one young fell
low, in seat far back, dropped his
glass and sank back in his seat with q
sigh-perhaps Of relief. "It is impossi-
BILE! 1t cannot be! She had dear lit
tie voice, to be sure, with which she
sung her quaint little ballads for him
but thisl Oh no, it is quite impossible"
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
strange light, the whole frame in a
tremble Of passionate excitement; when
suddenly, and without a seconds warn
| ing, a break in the voice-a swaying of
the slight figure, a few gasping sounds
| IA shiver- and senseless line Of gilt
tering 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 disperse, and foremost in the
small crowd of the more venturesome
who press behind the scenes is a tall,
elegant from, with an unaccustomed
look of anxiety in the bold, bright eyes,
as he passes his few courteous regrets
to the manager who received them.
But "Madamoiselle is too ill to see
any one. Only a trifiing indisposition,
to be sure; q slight attack of the heart
to which she is subject; still the doctor
insists on absolute quiet, or serious re-
suits may follow
II will see her in the morning." he
thinks, as he comes away. II must
know for certain.n And Fate meets
him at his hotel with a telegram busi-
ness of the utmost Importance demand
| ing his presence Immediately with the
Eastern branch of the house and six
hours later, with small grip in his
hand, and q great disturbance in his
heart, he is on his way toward the
rocky fence between him and WHAT?
Y
It is Christmas Day in Chicago, and
the boulevards Of the gay young me-
tropolis resound 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 shahbiness
witnessed the pitiful parting within its
four walls just one year and a 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 objects remain "a
large, brown arm-chairand tiny shell!
The big chair stands in a corner, look
ing cullen and lonesome, and empty.
The shell is mounted in a gold frame,
land 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. Rich auburn hair falls
over the cushion. The eyes are closed,