Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-11-30

Soon from the distance came the
notes of a guitar, and again the rip
ping. witching strains OF ''Sobre Las
Olasn reached his ear, and he readily
anticipated his answer from the tri-
umphant swell of the clear, pure
voice, which lent its charm to the waltz.
''Good-mornng, my pretty song
bird, he said, as the girl blushingly
drew near his window. Shall the
harvest be thorns from "a rugged path
OF poverty or roses plucked from the
garden of success"
Il could have but one reply. signor,
to so much generosity. | will accept
Your favor, for | am sure that | shall
be able to repay it," she said. the
curve of her red lips hetraY;ag bnr
resolution, and her dusk eyes aglow
like stars.
Count de Cardinus claspcd the brown
hand resting on the windOw-ledge firm
~ in his, rs he gazed earnestly into the
uplifted, trusting face.
"Luisa, you shall be my sister, and |
your elder brother"
The impulsive girl bent her head with
simple grace, and for an instant her
trembling lips touched the white hand
clasping her own, then the regal head
was raised proudly, smiles gathered
about her mouth, and a swift flash of
roguery came to her eyes.
Has my generous brother no name
that | must continue to call him, sig
nor?:" she questioned, archly.
Right, little sister, | had forgot en-.
My name is Michail de Cardinus. Some
time YOU shall visit our home in Cuba
now you must to work"
Within the month the young girl be-
gan her studies, and while her wonder
iul voice was being developed she was
fast learning the ways of the world,
and, through contact with refined peo-
pie, receiving a polish which gave a
new charm to her natural loyeliuess.
MiChail de CardinuS made many visits
to Rome in the interest Of his protege,
and each time he left the side of the
beautiful singer his heart vas less his
W and more the property OF Luisa
Montcz.
Four years had wrought its miracle
of change in the poor street singer. now
the talented prima-donna, and nightly
%fayors, tlattcry, and gold were layished
upon her, ay, and hearts were laid ut
her feet, many of noble blood, and
thrilling with an honest love; but ever
while the sweet face grew tender with
regret, the proud lips would say:
1t cannot bel do not love YOU"
From time to time her earnings had
been forced upon her benefactor, until
at last she had repaid the money y
pended for her advancement, and her
independence only caused the count to
love her more intensely, more hopeless
~, for her affection for him seemed on
ly that Of "A loving sister.
One night, as she stood in his pres
ence, proudly beautiful as some queen,
ready to appear before the eager wait
ing public, he caught both of her
haIds in his, and drawing her close to
him he gazed down INFO her lovely
eyes, as if he would read her very soul.
"Luisa, for Gods sake bid me go far
from your he said. brokenly. Il have
no ~brothelly love to give you. am a
miserable hypocrite! love you as a
bird loves the sunshine-as a flower the
dew-as something that giycth life and
Joy. Now, tell me how like a miscreant
1 have acted, then bid me go.n
NO. Michail; il was your hand that
'opcned the sealed volume OF success TO
me surely. You may be n dissembler,
if it p~leascs you. | cannot bid you
leave me-" She murmured. her face
burning with bushes and her eyes
downcast.
Michail de Cardinus read only graft
tude in her words and averted face,
| and his hands fell away from hers, his
face grew pale, and his voice low and
| resigned.
Forgive me. Luisa. Twas dreaming;
that was all. ! could not exist away
| from your side. But / will not offend
in this way again"
That is right, Michail. You shall
continue to be to ms what YOU have
been for years. /, too, have been
dreaming; | will tell YOU about it to-
night"
What n glad, triumphant ring there
was to her sweet voice. but it found no
response in the heart Of the count as he
turned sadly from the room.
The opera house was a sea of eager,
uplifted faces-a breathless hush of eX-
pectaut w~aiting-as he took a seat at
the front of his box. The curtain rose
in a burst of melody, but the count did
not consult his programme. 1t matter
ed little to him what the play was, for
he only listened to the rich, musical
voice Of husband tonight. as never
before, he realized how completely he
had loved and lost ha. Many times
during the evening her radiant face
was turned smilingly toward his box,
and her dusk eyes met his, but their
gaze held no comfort for him.
At the end of the second act she was
encorcd beyond a denial, and with the
sweetest blush and the most bewitching
grace she came to the front of the stage;
then, with the pathos of a heart over
flowing with love, she sung:
once again I saw the river.
Where the waterlilies grow
Where the wiiiow-branches CULVER
As the gentle zeplIyrs blow:
And l heard those well-beloyed accents
That once held my heart In thrall.
And they whispered words OF PROMISE
was dreaming. that was all"
For one instant Tulsa raised her face,
passion-tillcd and aglow, to the gaze OF
the count; then like the glad song OF
some bird set free, her voice rose into