Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-01-03

t0D Cruel.
NAY, | do not say that. after her
studies under Vidot are completed you
may speak TO her, but at present can
not have her disturbed"
And with this the count was obliged
to be content; but he still met Mar
guer.te at her friends house as often
as possible, and when the Southworths
left for Tpuville his calls became
more frequent at the little home in
Rue Rude. Yet still his manner was
not that of lover, and the watchful
aunt could not discover that Marguer-
lie ever thought OF him in that rela.
ton; and though she singled out his
bouquet from the others and gave il
the place of honor on her table, yet il
seemed only the caprice of a girl wish.
ing TO give special attention to the
Offering of n near friend.
The day so filled with gladness
brought an added joy. For message
came from her father saying he could
bear the separation no longer, but
would sail from New York by the next
steamer. This completed her happi.
ness, and when the manager, now all
Difference and smiles for the success.
ful debutante, came To the little home
and engaged her to sing for several
months, Marguerite felt that her tri.
umph was fully accomplished.
The next day her aunt told her of
the counts Oilerof marriage, prompted
by an urgent letter from him. But
Marguerite would give no definite an.
swer 10 the proposal. She told her
aunt she esteemed the count as a dear
friend, but no thought of marriage
ever intruded upon her.
Although Marguerite's success had
been instant. there were many who
criticised her singing bitterly, espe-
cially rival musicians and their
clientele. SO her second appearance
was awaited by critical audience.
The first two acts passed successfully,
and Marguerite had gone TO her dress.
ing room TO make some change in her
dress, when she found on the table a
telegram addressed TO herself. She
tore il open hastily. 1t was from
one Of their oldest friends, and
said: Your father is very i'll; do not
expect him." Almost frenzied with
grief at this startling news, Marguerite
knew not what to do. Her father ill,
and the great ocean between them.
Oh! if she had wings, that she might
fly TO him. She must go at once.
Without him life would be nothing.
AT this moment the call boy tapped
upon the door, and receiving no re-
spouse put his head into the room,
saying:
"Madcmoiselle, your cue." But he
heard no reply. You are called,
mademoiselle." Still no answer He
ventured TO enter the room, and shak-
ing her slightly TO arouse her, said:
Pardon. mademoiselle, the stage
waits; but you look i'll. Are you
faint" lac asked.
Yes, yes, am i'll"
but the stage waits, you are called"
She rose t. her feet, and strove to
regain the mastery of her nerves,
shaken by the unexpected intelligence.
The boy seeing her efforts, and be-
ing, alas! well accustomed TO the
methods used by some artists TO gain
inspiration, ran across the corridor to
the dressing room of one of the actors,
seized flask of brandy that stood upon
the table, poured out a glass and has
tened back to Marguerite. who was
gradually becoming more composed.
There. mademoiselle, drink this
he said. Almost mechanically and
without thought, Marguerite raised
the glass 10 her lips and drank its con-
tents. Unaccustomed TO the use of
spirits, the fiery draught had an i'm
mediate effect upon her. Her eyes
frightened, and she ran quickly down
the short light of steps that led TO the
stage. The conductor waved his baton,
the short prelude was played.
Commence, ' whispered the promp-
ter.
She opened her lips, the audience,
almost breathless, listened for the
matchless voice to issue from the love-
ly mouth.
But her head grew dizzy; she could
not see the conductor, or rather there
seemed 10 be many before her; she
tried TO sing, but instead she broke
into wild peal of hysterical laughter,
staggered half way across the stage
and sank into seat.
Then her mirth changed to tears
and she seemed in paroxysm of
grief. Then arose a wild storm Of
Kisses. There were many only too
glad to disgrace the singer. ''She is
intoxicated was whispered Next
came hootings and loud cries Of de-
rision. which continued long after the
curtain had been rung down and the
manager had explained that "A sudden
illness of the prima donna would ne.
cessitate the close oil the erformance.
Marguerite's aunt and some of her
friends hasteued behind the scenes,
where they found the telegram upon
the floor, and Marguerite, who had
been helped Ia her dressing room, sob.
bed violently, but the kindly minis.
trations Of her friends soon quieted
her and she was hurried into car.
riage, which was driven rapidly
away. Marguerite slept upon her
aunts shoulder until they reached
home and when she awoke she was en-.
tirely free from the effects Of the BRAN
dy she had taken.
Count de Frontin bad begged TO ac.
company them, and Marguerite's aunt
had been glad TO have his protection.
D.tl, ,,-..,... -, I,,.,o ., . m, ,lap Manon.