Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-09-27
CASCARINI.


such advice had it been given by my
aunt, but it was not my aunt who gave
it; it was my Uncle Robert. Impossible
to suppose that my Uncle Robert was be-
traying me. and that he had entered into
a conspiracy with the avowed purpose of
getting me married-and married for
good and all.
My grandfather had had three chill
dren-papa, the eldest, my Aunt Gabri-
ellie, and Uncle Robert Papa had died
leaving me quite handsome fortune;
my Aunt Gabrielle was richer than |,
and as for Uncle Robert, he wasn't rich
at all, having squandered in the most
gentlemanlike manner every sou that he
had left him.
Some five or six years ago there was
being given at the Eden Theater a mag
nificently mounted ballet entitled
"Sieba. One of the dancers in the bal
let was a young woman named Vittoria
Cascarini. / was infatuated with this
young woman-had absolutely taken
leave of my senses-and it was on this
account that my poor aunt was 50 anxious
that l should marry.
To this end she had given in my honor
an elaborate entertainment, at which /
had assisted, much against my will. After
it was over and the last guest had de-
parted my aunt asked me what / thought
of Mile. Henriette Lobligeois.
Ireplied that l hadn't thought any
thing about her, and couldn't tell whether
she was blonde or brunette, short or tall.
The only thing that had occurred to me
during that interminable evening was
that was a long way off from Eden,
and among all the women present ! had
only seen one-one who was not there.
but whose great dreamy eyes and ire
sistible smile called me away to the cor
ner of the Rue Roudreau. All, was
thoroughly in love-I can safely say
that-but that was about all, for had
never yet spoken word to the object of
my alteration. l had sent her letters
and bouquets innumerable; the latter
had been kept, but no answers came to
the former.
To-day nothing is easier than to get
behind the scenes at the Eden-one only
has to subscribe; but when "Sieba' was
being given subscriptions had not been
invented for the benefit of the jeunesse
doree / was cud cling my brains to
discover how should approach her who
was my life, when / suddenly remem-
bered that in my own family was one
who would look upon the solution of
such difficulty in the light of child's
play. To my Uncle Robert there were
no secrets in the game of love which he
did not understand, and it was his hand
that could place in mine a clue to lead
me out of my embarrassments
One day when we had all been dining
at my Aunt Gabrielle's took him aside
in the smoking room, confded to him
my idyl, and begged assistance. He con-
sented at once.
"Some ten years ago, said he, the
very same thing happened to me with
little Clara, of the Varieties. They posi-
lively refused to LET me go behind the
scenes, but determined that I should go
in spite of them, and did. ] got my
self hired as stage carpenter.
A stage carpenter, uncle?
eyes, nephew, every evening before
the play the mechanics out of work pre-
sent themselves at the stage door to get
a Job. donned blouse and an old cap
and mingled among these honest people.
Slipping louis into the hand of the man
who passed us in review, he signaled to
me to go in, and within two hours my
little Clara found herself in the presence
of astage carpenter who kissed lGr hand
and asked after her health.
l could have kissed Uncle Robert.
81. too, cried !, Il, too, will be car
penter o-morrow. Not day later than
tomorrow viii offer my services at the
Eden.
Tomorrow, nephew"
Yes, uncle, tomorrow
We then went to find my aunt, and
Uncle Robert at once entered into con-
versation with her. They both looked
at me. I don't know what made me
think So but / got it into my head that
my uncle was repeating what l had just
said to him. However, at once dis
missed the idea as highly improbable.
1t was true, however, / found it out
afterward-after was married
The next day, following nay uncle's
advice, / entered the employ of the Eden
Theater IS mechanic. /, too, had
donned blouse and an old cap, but !
must confess that did not wear the
costume as one to the manor born and
that / was not at all at mE ease In nv