Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-08
ana M ore Knows wnere sne g

"
Job did not add that she had gone with
Benedict, whose name she now bore, and
that her mother was broken-hearted. Job
saw no need Of telling these facts, and SO
sat in silence.
"Where shall we go now7" said the
cashier, as they left the restaurant.
wherever you please"
Strolling down to the Strand, they no.
ticed concert room in street running
towards the river, and almost under the
railway-station, towards which a number
of people were huIrying.
Suppose we go ju, too, for half an
hour2" said Job, anxious to cheer his
friend, if possible.
florence made no objection. It looked
like the arch of bridge. transformed in
to a musIc-haU. Although 1t was early,
the room was crowded. The air was suf-
locating, and the glare of gas bewildering.
Little tables were scattered about, and at
the extreme end was raised platform.
Our two friends had much difficulty in
finding seats. but finally established them
selves in corner, whence only a partial
view could be obtained Of the platform, at
that moment occupied by magnificent
parsonage in evening dress and lemon
colored kid gloves.
The public-the small tradespeople OF
the neighborhood, with their wives or
sweethearts-were highly delighted with
the romance he was singing; but Florence
and Job drank their beer without paying
much attention to the music, when sud-
denly the cashier exclaimed, ust as the
song came to an end:
There is We're de Lacy"
Sure enough, the old actor was there.
close to the little stage. He was careless
ly leaning against a pillar, dressed with
most punctilious care, his linen was dazz
ling, and a huge flower adorned his black
coat. He occasionally examined the crowd
with the air Of a man who accidentally
finds himself among his interiors; but his
attention was mainly directed to the plat
form, where he turned continually with
an encouraging smile or gesture, intended
for some one whom DcnInan could not see
on account Of the intervening pillars.
There was nothing very extraordinary
in the presence Of old De Lacy in this mu
sic-hall, and yet the cashier felt uneasy,
more especially when he saw Madame 70
las sparkling eyes and black hair among
the audience. Amid the tobacco smoke
and the noise Of the crowd, these two IA
ccs had the effect Of the illusions Of a bad
dream. He felt afraid for his friend. md
yet he knew not why nor what he had to
dread; But he determined to take him
away.
Come, Florence, let us go; the heat is
intoIerable here"
Just as they rose, for Florence was as
willing to go as to stay, the orchestra,
composed of piano and several violins,
began d peculiar air.
Hush" cried several people. ''Sit
flCy ry1't ,,iol "a ,n,.S
They were obliged TO resume their seats.
But Florence felt vaguely disturbed.
Il know that air" he said; "whcre
have | heard it,"
Vociferous applause, and an exclana-
ton from Job. made him turn round.
Come, quick-let us go!" said the
cashier.
But it was too late! Florence had seen
his wife come forward to the edge Of the
platform, and bow with the air of ballet
dancer.
She wore white dress, as she had done
the last time he saw her; but the material
was less rich, and the style vulgar in the
extreme. The body was excessively low /;
her hair was crinped and waved. until it
met her eyebrows; and round her throat
was a necklace of pearls too large to be
real. De Lacy was quite correct III bis
judgment. She was thoroughly at home
in Bohemia. and had acquired that unmis-
taxable stamp, that air of utter inditter-
ence to all pure and noble influences. And
how perfectly unembarrassed she was!
All! had she seen that despairing ter
ribe look in those eyes which were fixed
upon her from the other end of the room,
her smile would have lacked its serenity,
and her voice would never have been so
smooth as she sang the l&n~Uishing notes
of the only song Madame lola had ever
been able to teach her:
"Pauvrc petite Mam'selle Zizi,
C'est Pamour, Pamour. qui tourne-"
Florence rose to his feet, in spite Of all
his friends cntreatics.
"Down, down." someone cried.
But he heard nothing, saw nothing, but
Sylvia.
C'est ramour, Tamour-"
continued his wife with a seductive
glance lie asked himself if he should
leap on the platform and kill her, there
and then! Fiery flashes passed before his
ewes. and mad brutal rage came over
him. But, suddenly, shame and disgust
filed his soul. and he rushed ont of the
room. scattering chairs and tables on his
way, and followed by EXPLANATIONS Of
amazemcnt and disapproval from the
scandalizcl audience.