The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-05-30
"R,ght, !" admitted NJ. p.,,ll..

wei. then. thus saith Madame numot-
that some ten or twelve years ago young
CREATURE, scarce sixteen years old and yet at
that tender aSe not only orphaned but wild.
owed, and perfectly destitute, wandered 10
rived on foot, late 81 at night, IN the midst Ola
snowstorm. Exhausted with fatigue, hun.
ger, and cold. she sank tainting on the street.
She was picked up by week. minded old
watchman, who, instead Of carrying her of
to the watch.house pitied her condition, and
took her homo to his own dwelling
"But this houscleas wanderer could not
have been the great Mslpomsnei" interrupted
Mr.. Devile.
"Wait q bit Rumor further saith that
this feeble Drained old Waterman, who car.
ried forlorn women to his own house. had q
daughter who was employed Us girl
at one Of the minor theatres, and that event.
ualiy the young stranger, being unfit for
every thing else under the sun, went with her
hosts daughter to the theatre, whore her
personal beauty and grace, and her melodous
voice and ready intelligence, procured her O
humble engagement"
'Yes: YOU begin to SEQ how this might have
been. Well. as years passed, and to her orig.
inal gifts were added experience md knowl-
edge OF the business. our young artist rosein
her profession through the successive stages
Of ballet dancer, singing grisette, walking
lady, lender, &C., to her present position"
Then, as every step of this tragedienne.
before the eyes Of this public, don't see how
you can call this story mere gossip and as
sert that her true history Is unknown" said
Mr.. Devillc.
and yet do assert it. Every step il not
accounted for There 10 long gap. IL is
had reached the rank of walking lady ut
Ills theatre. that part ofthe company went
Tor tour through tho provinces, and that
Nora Norl accompanied them. That summer
this beautiful young creature attracted the
attention of the celebrated Mrs. Bracegirdle,
who. then in the zenith OF her fame, was max
ing II tour oithc northern counties The great
actress, never dreaming of future rivalry,
herame the patroness Ot tho friendless young
nspirnnt, gave her instructions, and brought
hcr forward From that suspicious time the
star OF the young artist nrose, and she, who,
nine years ngo. lett the London stage us the
humble Nora Norl, returned as the great
Melpomcnc."
"A probable story. do not see why it
should be questioned.
Yet it is. Nine yenrs change the charac-
ter of II community us we'll as the appear.
ance OF IL young female. And there are
those who Gun trace 10 resent lance be-
tween the thin, nndevcloped girl Of seventeen
and the magnificent woman Of twenty.six
between the obscure Nora Norl and tho H.
lustrious Mclpomene.
81 must see this wo rid q wonder! She pluys
tonight"
Eyes. and not again for week. This
queen uf tragedy, like other queens, is jeal
GUS oil her royal presence. and no inducsment
eau bring her to appear more than once n
week
"And-let us see-whnti liz her role To- night"
"RoXalnua. in the Rival Queens l have
seen Mesames Bearcgirlle and Oldfeld in
that part. but have never seen this Mel
pomene. who is said in that particular i'm
personation o: the outraged vie aud queen,
to surpass not only all the others, but even
her own sol"
Then, shall we go together to test her
Ip;its this EVENING""
Will. p!sasure, especially il the beauteous
Lady Adelaide ID to be Of the party" said
the gallant colonel.
Lady. Adelaide never gocsto the tlieatre, :"
replied Mr.. Deville.
Ali eonstientioualy opposed to it?'
Sincerely so-yes."
by the way, Melpomene has apartments
in this very house."
Impossible"
"Truc however, though. SHE might as well
lie in kalntchatka for anything We see OF her
here"
why. how liz that?"
"She has not only her private suite Of
apartments, hut also u private entrance to
them, and private Attendants 50 that there
is no possibility OF seeing her without intru-
sion, and she receives no visitors"
Except professionally, at the theatre"