Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-12-05

'The girls aren't here, eh?" said he.
well" with yawn, 81 thought you'd
get tired of tn en-"
mot in the least" said the Major,
brislly. "But in the prosecution Of
their life studies they have been obliged
to leave us. You shall see them in day
or two"
Plenty Of time; plenty of time," said
Mr.. Desmond.
well" said the Major, show shall
we amnse ourselves? Shall we go to
the theater tonight and see the beauti-
full young 'Ophelia, over whom the
whole world is raving?"
Mr.. Desmond frightened up at once.
"Yes, said he; '1et us go. / do like
good acting. l think | should have
made an actor myself if had ever had
chance to train properly"
"And in the meantime" said the
Major, with great gravity, 1--WE will
visit the studio of pretty artist friend
OF mine, who is winning herself great
name in the world"
"Tm a little rusty about art" said
Mr.. Desmond, "but know good pict-
ure when see it."
1t VAS large octagonal room, lighted
by dome of ground glass from above,
and hung with folds of claret-colored
cloth-a room filled with glowing land
| scapes, fair, serious heads, and studies
of the antique. Visitors moved quietly
about speaking in whispers and glanc-
ing now and again at a tall, slight girl
in brown holland dress belted at the
waist, who was working at an easel at
the end of the room.
'Let me introduce you to my friend
the artist" said Major Clippett. Mr..
Desmond bowed low.
81 reverence art in all its shapes"
said he. "And if had been fortu-
nate to have q SON"
"Papav cried the girl, passionately,
flinging aside her palette, don't you
know me?"
"Essie!" he cried. "No-it is not pos
sible!'
'But it is, papa" cried she, "your
little Essie!''
His eyes filled with tears, and for
the first time in her life Esther Desmond
saw shining in them the light of true
affection.
"My girl" said he, huskily, 81 am
proud of you. honor you for making
career for yourself And Ella?"
"Oh," said Essie, busy with her colors,
"you shall see her by and by"
"She is not at home, them"
''She is not here, papa"
Mr.. Desmond accompanied his wife
and daughter and Major Clippett to the
theater that night. 1t was crowded
from pit to dome, for the "Ophelia" of
the season had been a brilliant success;
and when she glided on the stage in her
pure white dress and girdle of dead
gold the house rang with applause.
Her face and figure were exquisite; her
acting such as Shakespeare himself
might have dreamed Of; and when at
last the curtain fell, and "Ophelia" was
called out again and again to receive
the enthusiastic laudations of the crowd,
!, the tears were raining down Mr..
Desmond's face.
81 call that acting" said he. "Clip-
petit, did you say you knew that grip"
Certainly, l know her." said Major
Clippett, with difficulty keeping the
corners of his mouth in order. "She
is coming to my house tonight to sup
per. Shall l introduce you?"
81 shall esteem it an honor to know
, a woman of such genius." said Mr.
Desmond.
sob, Georger' cried his wife, "didn'
q you recognize her? Our Ella!'
= "Not Ella" cried Mr.. Desmond, start
! ing up. "My daughter Ella?"
"And no other" said the Major
q swell, don't wonder that you didn'
know her. She has changed wonder
, fully. She's a genius, you know, i
Ella!"
And when the beautiful young Ophe
o liza was folded in her fathers arms tina
night his heart throbbed high will
pride, while Essie stood smilingly by
!. : and Major Clippett took infinite credi
n | W ulHlotll lOr all budb udu bldnSplTtu.
e "They live here with me and my sis
!, ter" said he. "They are my adopte,
n daughters. But we wanted to surpris
q you, so they are staying temporaril
> with friend. They are both artists
Desmond; they have conquered thei
own destiny, God bless them, an
q achieved success"
"Our girlsl' said Mrs. Desmond
n softly-and the familiar words which h
had so often spoken, in sort of cor
IS temptuous liberation, grated harshly o
!. her husbands ear.
is "Our girls!" he repeated. "Our treas
n ures, wife! have been signing all m
" life for a son, but shall never sigh an
ir more. My girls are all sufficient to m
now!"
$. And of all the triumphs which Ell
1t and Essie Desmond have won this hor
n was the sweetest to them!-Ernestin
Is McMullen, in N. Y. Ledger.
a Salaries of Foreign Statesmen.