The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-17
EDALAlNE:A METRlCAL ROMANCE

A very clever book, possessing added local
interest from tho fact that the author,
MADAME Medini. Ia now and has been for
over d year 4 resident OF Helena. Tho
story itself, however. does not doal with
Western characters, oxcspt in the fact that
the author began her musical career In the
adjoining state of Idaho. when yet in her
teens. The story 10 graphically told in
very correct blank verse and contains many
passages Of unusual literary merit aud
great strength. while containing no very
startling incidents the plot il sufficiently
unique and complicated, especially in the
closing portions OF the work, to be Of more
than passing interest. and we cannot help
but think it could have been embellished
and amplifed to very great advantage in
graceful prose, of which the author is
doubtless muster. Poetical measures too
often hamper the progress and vivid am
pliioation of romance. being more properly
the vehicle of sentiment or emotion. But
ms a whole the story is one that will retain
the interest of the reader unto the last and
ia we'll worthy a careful reading.
The story is that of m American girl.
born of parents probably OF the middle
class. endowed with an unusual ambition,
which leads her to choose the medium of
opera in which to accomplish her life's
work. Early in life Edalaine, the heroine,
learned that she had inherited the faint of
insanity from her father, which knowledge
career, leading her to declare. when her
heart was sought in love and her hand in
marriage,
II ne'er shall we'd" she made reply, ''e'en
though
l loved. That. then. can naver be-"
And something stern, though sad of voice and
mien,
Seemed then to check desire to ask her more,
And he who never lacked for ready words
Gould find no speech.
This episode occurred while on her way
to Europe to pursue her musical studies,
and, as may bs readily surlnised. Arnold
Deith appeared again and again during her
career. and with such zeal as she would
permit as often pressed his suit, which rs
often she declined, though keeping him in
ignorance of the real reason. Edalaine.
after tho completion Of her musical studies,
made her debut in opera and was very sue
%cessful, winning not more friends BY the
HaRlC OIL HGT FOlCe LnAu ny tuO kthCcS vi AcI
manner and goodness Of her heart.
1t came about during one of her Journeys
that she met d young mother in sore dis
tress, and whom she nuraed with tenderest
care through a long delirium, during which
time she learned that the child was that Of
Arnold Delth, whose memory she cher
ished. Only enough Of the woman's career
was learned to know that she had been sent
from home an outcast, though not whether
through fault Of hers. When next Edalains
met Arnold Deith, and he again urged his
suit upon her, the circumstance of her meet
ing with the sor owing woman and her
babe in another country came out. and in
justification of himself he cold her his
story, according to which he was much
wronged by a woman who WINS
his wife. When Paris WAS invested
by the German troops, Edalaine left the
stage and went as nurse in one of the many
hospitals which were then crowded with the
mangled victims of war. It CHANGED that
there fell to her tender care a soldier NOR
tally hurt, 80 like i'll form and feature to
Arnold Deith that they could scarce be told
apart. The wounded soldier was, in fact,
his brother, and before he expired cleared
away the unfortunate mystery which led to
the punishment of Arnold's wife. Fncour-
aged by Edalaine the Respondent woman
had taken q new lease on hope and reso-
lutely set helself to work by good deeds to
the sorrow of her life, and by
chance the two women mot us nurses in
that hospital. OF course a reconciliation
was speedily. brought about by the infor-
nation that Edalaine had learned. and worn
out by toll and weariness of spirit Arnold
Deith's wife soon slel t the sleep of death.
happy in his arms. Being thsn free to
press his suit upon Edaline, his character
untarnished, he once more sought her hand
in marriage. This time she told him the
reason why she meier would wed.
Thou. Arnold Deith,
Wouldst make such sacrifice, would choose q
wife
Whose light may so out utterly, not pale
To silence while Il Q senses fail; their at,
Best sense,t the seeing. hearing, touching thee?
Not that, but go out horribly. one sense betray-
ing all the ~rest?'''
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