Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-09-21
TAKEN By SIEGE.


tend the making Of costume with so
much interest that she would forget all
about the ordinary pleasures Of life, and
be wholly wrapped up in the dry details
Of her profession. She studied hard
every day, and exercised and ate as
carefully as an oarsman in training for
a race. Properly speaking. she had
never had any childhood, as she had
begun her studies when very young and
had been singing since she was In her
teens. She liked the life OF q singer and
she didn't like it. The act Of singing
was of itself pleasure, and there was
nothing in the world 80 exciting to her
as large and enthusiastic audience.
"f an audience only knew how much
better music it gets from an artist when
it gives her something in return" she
used to say, 81 think it would always
show a sympathetic spirit" She had lit
tie to complain of on the score Of cold
ness in her audiences. In New York she
was always treated as though she were
the particular favorite Of every auditor,
and the applause when she came upon
the stage only ceased that they might
hear her sing.
1t is not surprising that a woman Of
this sort should have had many admirers
1t was said in society that she could
marry any man she wanted-that they
all would only be too happy to bestow
their hands and fortunes upon her, from
Uncle Lghtfoot Myers to that much
courted young man, Mr.. West Hastings
Aunt Rebecca smiled at the attentions
Of Uncle Lghtfoot, but she was more
severe upon West Hastings. though the
latter was Of suitable age, had an in
come of eighty thousand dollars a year,
and was considered most desirable
parti altogether. He was looked upon
as confirmed bachelor until he met
Helen Knowlton, to whom he began
paying devoted attentions very early in
their acquaintance Hastings was a
man of the world, member of half a
dozen clubs, and lived more like a
European than DO most Americans. He
had inherited his money, and had never
done days work in his life, which was
SO much the worse for him; but he was
not SO good-for-nothing as are many of
his countrymen similarly gifted by for
tune. 1t was said that he patronized the
ballet in the persons Of its premieres;
but, however this may be, you could
never find q woman In society who
would believe it, for there was nothing
in bis manner to betoken that he was
not a man of the most exquisite refine
ment II it had been Livingston Dash,
or Charlie Vernon, or any one Of half a
dozen other well known club men, who
had been SO accused. the accusation
might have been believed
= When Archie Tillinghast told his cous-
In Bessie Archer that he had seen West
Hastings coupe, with the blinds up,
driving away from the stage door Of
Niblo's Garden during the run Of "The
Black Crook, she left the room in indig
nation, and would hardly speak to him
the rest of the evening, though he was
her escort to the Charity ball When it
became generally known that Hastings
was paying marked attentions to Helen
Knowlton the women said that she
would do well to accept him; that a
marriage with him would be brilliant
close for 4 brilliant career; but some of
the men who knew him best shook their
heads and said that, while West Hast
ings was good fellow" he was hardly
calculated to make a good husband; that
he would get tired of the best woman in
the world If he was married to her, and
they wanted to see Helen Knowlton
married to man who would make her
happy to the end of her days.
That Hastings was interested in Miss
Knowlton is not surprising. She was
the most feted woman in New York, and
she was the one woman whose head was
not turned by his attentions. He had
been used to q different sort Of woman
on the stage Here was prima donna
who was as MUCK Of lady and as pure
Q woman as his own sister. He began
by pouring the ordinary compliments of
a man of the world into her ear (he had
to do it in Italian, for Aunt Rebecca was
always ON hand); but he soon saw that
1t bored her, and that she was only in.
terested when he talked sense. He had
Travelled far and wide, had heard the
native music Of many countries, and
could be very interesting if he chose,
That she listened ITO him best when he
appeared to the best advantage pleased
him. Indeed, she pleased him alto
gether, for she gave him a new sensa-
ton, and II there was anything in this
world that Hastings honestly loved. it
was new sensation.
He was beginning to think that he was
In love with Helen Knowlton; and so
no was, to certain extent. He thought
her cold, but he also thought her the
most interesting person he had ever met;
and then he liked to be considered the
favored suitor of the most popular prima
donna in the country. 1t pleased him
that the men at the club called him a
"lucky dog" and no enjoyed hearing it
whispered, "That is West Hastings with
Miss Knowlton." II believe I'll marry