The Penn's Grove record., 1888-11-10

lOOh bO 1CiIOV II BhNobiJs Do
did not notice that. She was looking
at the carpet and q ping 1t restlessly
with an angelic littls loot
"Sol" rejolned Otto, after clearing
his throat (of tobacco smoke, probably
.'and to whom, you little r~ascalp"
ait is that very handsome one, " de-
murely rejoined the little woman, that
one to whom Mr.. Sprint. the manager,
introduced me. He is very rich and
he loves me or he says he does; and
Otto. l am going to do it. l like him,
because he's so big and brave and gem
tie, and l believe I could love him if l
tried. And oh, Otto, | do so long at
times for Just a little rest-yes. l do,
although none of you think so-and
Albert says that when we are married
I shall do nothing all day but sit in a
splendid parlor and wear magnificent
clothes and jewelry and receive COM
pany. OIL Otto, wont 1t be splendid?
Mel"
If Otto grew a shade paler she did
not notice it even then. He came for
ward as a father might have done and
touched her brow with his lips. "Tis
well. little one," said he tenderly.
'Thou wilt be well cared for, and
there will come a time when thou wilt
need rest. Now co." and he pushed
her playfully toward the door.
"And aren't you going to congratu-
late me, Ottop"
"wIth all my heart I wish thee joy.
little one."
She went away pouting aud only
half satisfied.
The sparrow might have wept over
the infinite patbos Of the melody that
poured from the Window after that.
1t was Rats Ca7atina that he played
and s,s4eRg passionate notes had ia
theSTian intensity and fervor that
spoke of some mighty inspiration
within. Then he played some other
a~irs-equally touching, equally tender
played on and on until the dusk
stole down and told him it was nearly
time to prepare for the theatre.
1t was a notable night, too. 1t was
the h%undredth night OF the piece and
was to be suitably COMMUNICATED.
The theatre was to be gloriously decor.
ated, and for this occasion only the
singers and dancers were to be per-
mitted to receive v g the f~ootlights
the floral offerings of their admirers.
He, himself, was to contribute to the
of the occasion a solo upon
his AmatI. and as he was w~ell-known
and in a degree famous, this latter fact
was duly announced on the bills.
Never had little Flora danced as she
danced that night. She was a breath
of air, a dream. a light, flmy thing on
wings, that flew and fluttered and shot
here and there in a ~bewildering series
of leaps and bounds and glides that it
panied the eyes TO follow. Triumph
ant, at last, she stood there, black eyes
glittering, head thrown back and
plump hands outstretched as though to
ward off hc-rraah of applause that
grysa1esTsilie, Ohid ed and recalled, she
slsth. .oA ana SaaaiI Me- a~ had Dsi0' mainly MluIs
wrought the measure of her flying foot.
steps. was mutely conscious of Il mel
low voice from the proscenium box to
the left of him reiteratlng its "bravol
bravol'' in a tone,that bespoke. AS Is
seemed to him, an excess of enthusiaS
even for that occasion.
As he drew his bow across the
strings he was conscious only of a sick
ening sense Of p~erfume-the perfume
of the masses of roses that had been
bestowed upon the favorite dancer.
But by and by his whole soul went into
the melody-that same cavatina of
Raff's-and the great audience listened
-utranced. Was 1t fancy, or as the
ta,& .oto r.tyfarol Frnpn hio Nran,n,,
instrument, did he really catch a
glimpse of Flora standing In the wings
watching him? He was not sure, but
could almost have sworn it was she.
and that she was holding a fragile lace
handkerchief to her eyes. But that
was to shield them from the lights.
doubtless. Anyway, he was conscious
of feeling dreadfully miserable, s mis-
cradle as to entirely disregard the ap.
plause and demands for Il repetition
that were showered upon him.
He dived down beneath the stage,
folded his instrument tenderly away IN
its case, lighted a cigar and strolled
out into the street. Unconsclously his
course took him round to the front OF
the theatre, and, almost before he
realized where he was, he found him
self face to face with a group of young
men, all dressed IN the heIghth of
fashion and loudly discussing the merits
of the play. In the foremost of the
group he recognized the youth, who
we'll, as Albert. He was a handsome
young fellow with a superb figure that
was set off to perfection by his evening
a raao md Iiuhf nyaranat Glttn yya1 In
the act Of turning moodily away when
words fell upon his ears that caused
him to pause in something like horror.
1t was Albert who was speaking
speaking in light, careless terms of the
girl who believed him brave and gentle
and true. He "a confessing to his
admiration OF her, but in a manner
that made poor Otto's blood boil.
Again was he about to turn away,
when
"But, Albert" persisted one of the
sprucely.attired group, ''what the d.
would your wife sayp You havua't
been married six months, you rascal"
Dear boy. don't ask conundrums so
early in the evening"" drawled the
other, zone tires"
But Otto could listen no further.
There was a terrible singing sound in
his ears, and a wild impulse in him to
strange the villain who had so baseiy
deceived his hSIest little friend. A
of direct hate he bestowed on
him. ar 81 p, still unopseryed and
mute led. ething between his teeth
thssh. a dim Ike wait, you young,
Forces Asnd seei' He hurried
tower, colored his place. reaching 1t
election. Fol- escape the censure Of
the head wit ader. whose baton wa
pi9ked IN a 81 he sank into his seat.
who shot him the performance he
pls,tantly. NFoa fury possessed him.
Mors tLstei.A the leader looked al
him in suy-th} but not anger; for his
work was ay} I'D correct as ever, but
there was AZ land PASSION In it un-
usual, even for Otto. At last the curtain
descended. with Fora forming the
figure of the final tableaux and
looking bewitchingly lovely in her
filmy white and gold ~draperies. Then
Otto snatched his hat and coat, broke
from his companions aud hurried out
of the rear entrance into the alley WAY