The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1891-02-18
ESTABLISHED 1890.
REGINA.

~ WIS pain, almost poverty
stricken, apartment whore Regina the
Queen OF Song. lived and studied.
The laslt OF her earnings had been
spent In paying the debts OF "A long
illness OF her only brother, who, a
few weeks before had been buried out
OF her sight
Ii was u crushing blow but now. as
she bent over her work, there was
not the least hint OF sadness in her
expression. Sorrow had given place
to JOY. for the girl loved.
On the table at her side was n set
oi oriental poarl~lus. opened-nccx-
-. bracelets and rings. In her
md. letter; this was what the let
ter said.
egina-Be kind ego ; 10 accept
these pearls, every on = wbich will
speak TO you eloQuentt ~ my pas
sion. II may take you home this
evening. will you be kind enough to
reply by bearor' Ever your own
H.
Tho case closed with click. and
In moment more the following note
accompanied the pearls 10 tho hands
OF tie m sSengcr:
Dear AIRY y-If you lovo nae bear
with ne Ia this our mutual disap-
pointment or want the pearls as
much rs you want me to have them
Please keep them for me until then
came long dash--until | am your
wife. You oan see me between the
acts. but | must return from the opera
In the carriage with my usual lady
escort Ever your REGINA.
On the evening OF her first great
success she had. rs she believed,
met her fate. The love on both sides
was sudden. intense and all-absorb--
ing.
At the stage entrance she was met
by her lover.
Regina. how could you hurt me
sol" were his first sorrow ful words.
II have them here and you must take
them.
Regina every pearl Is freighted
with my love for you. To every one
1 have whispered the story OF my
heart, and they know all about it,
keep the pearls for me until the
time have mentioned. she answered
with dropping lids; then more firmly:
ii know l am right Harry. and moth
ing shall induce me to disregard my
brothers advice.
Then will YOU marry me now-to-
nightP" In }uired the lover with sud
den resolve. ''Will you. Regina be
my wife at onceP'
oh. Harry sighed Regina
xwhw A1
meP"
II will be your wife to-nighLm she
replied at last slowly. as II weighing
every word.
That night the house was In blaze
OF glory. A tremendous round OF
applause followed her entrance.
With the grace OF a Queen Regina
bowed her thanks. a quick glance
at her lovers box showed him there
also. his face rs pale. his eyes as wild,
as whom they had parted that morn
ing.
A death-like stiffness pervaded the
whole great assembly as Regina COM
msnced her score. Eleven o'clock,
and enthusiasm rose 10 fever heat
During one OF the waits the lovers ex-
changed few brief words.
II shall not come back again until
the end" lie Faire whispered, as he
left her. 1T won't be long now be-
fore you will be mine DO you real
ize this Regina---ail mine?n
Calm yourself. Harry. To be all
yours Is all desire for my supreme
happiness; but / must leave you now.
The next time we meet we shall be
aoue forever.
La Faire returned to his box and
Regina to the stage. In the midst OF
a thrilling scene Regina turned TO her
lover. In q moment the house was
electrified by shrek which brought
ahe audience TO their feet In an agony
OF terror Those whose seats would
permit a view OF the box saw directly
Behind 10 Faire the spectral figure OF
= woman.
For moment the hands were ex-
=. uded over the head of the uncon-
.ci aus lie Faire and then the man
,,,n vi and beheld his strange visitor.
R.oin = kept her eyes fixed. The or
cha.,ra commenced at the beginning
~ ,he :, ~nin which had been so sud
denly iute vrapted. and the cantatrice,
like one In = dream. began her song
again.
At this the applause was deafen.
ine. and diving the excitement
Regina snw the egure glide out fol-
lowed by lie +, uro who. as IL I'm
pslled by an irresi, Nible will did not
east one backward glance at the
woman he so ardently loved.
That night Regina waited In vain
for her lover Two days passed, and
the queen of song grew Ill Night
came again without word from him
sbs loved. Then knock on the door
and the same messenger bearing the
same jewel case. She tore open the
note and road:
My Queen--There can DO no
harm In your accepting the pearls
now. for the giver will soon have
passed beyond the reach OF earthly