The Red Cloud chief., 1892-12-09
THE DEATH'S-HEADCANE.
A Pathetic Story as Told by u
Stately Prima-Donna.

She appeared almost TRANSPORTED Ior
the moment, seated before the old
spinet. ~pausing in the midst OF the soft
nocturnc to contemplate the old teak
wood walking stick with its sallow ivo-
nv deaths head and leathern tasscls
and triple bands of gold inscribed
with flourishes Madeline
Mark, the stately prima-donna, upon
whom now the world had turned its IA
voring eyes.
Come; sit closer to me-" she said.
"Thc carriage will not be here this
half hour. | will tell you of II who
loved me, who CAV up his life that
triumph might be mine. Would to heav-
en- ! had been worthy!
THAT cane was my fathers. lie was
one of the brave few who survived
Trafalgar, and whom the good queen
decorated with her own hands. For an
especial act of bravery she also gave
him this token, and beautiful indeed
was it then.-a solid gold head where
now is a staring skull, more of an i'm
perial sceptcr thar the staff Of a hero.
That cane has Witnessed all the divine
comedy of our lives.
II was Just sixteen when l made my
DEBUT. 1 recall WIFI ia iupN"i'
sprang from the stage after the third
encore and felt my proud fathers arms
about me, his dear kiss OF graduation
upon my fevered brow. But ah! with
the coming of triumph came the mon
ster which has crossed the threshold OF
many n happy home and driven peace
into the hcarth-fiames. Ambition
ah, what have | not to answer yet Tor
thee!
"As a risen star | was much sought
by the curious and the sincere alike. !
was invited everywhere, received with
fiattcring honors for so snail an
achievement. my father ever beside
me. One night an incident occurred
which directed the whole course OF my
future. II was at a reception of IA great
lady whose mansion faced "a fashion
able square. After quite an ovation
started down the marble stairway
dazed at the magnifccncc abou me.
just as / stepped by the great candle
abrum. the fair hostess. who appeared
indeed angelic at that moment, with
whitest shoulders and dazzling jewels
glanced up and approached me. bless
mel she said. THE poor child has nc
cloak and, with perhaps IA pompons
desire to he thought gracious, she
threw her own magnificent whit,
mantle over my shoulders, walking 10y
INV side. Suddenly, in the great mirror
/ caught sight Of the great lady ant
myself side by side. 1t was a rcveia
ton. | became the deformed trans
formed. Under the ~cnchantment o
this one momcn | grew tall, noble
F-t -. l-, An,n ntI mari
beautiful than she? Wherein lay tn
difference between this one OF tn
greatest ladies' Of the land and tn,
struggling singer? a white silk cloaI
nothing more!
1T was two years before ! met tn
great lady again, and that was whei
INV father and | were celebrating on
of his rare Sabbaths ofrest in the parl
A swift regal carriage turned dow
from an unexpected nook, and my eye
met those of my bcnefactreSs. Ere
could shrink into ambush, as was IN
foolish impulse, she recognized mt
salutcd, then ordered her carriag
drawn to the cu~rbstonc, reckoning III
thithcr.
".My dear she murmurcd, seductive
ly. Il have watched Your struggle
these two wears, and know the M
tions of your heart. ! am going to Si'
the initiative to the success you cove
DAY after tomorrow night the prime
of - will honor me ut Il receptio
given for him ut my house. You w
come, and perhaps ! shall request yt
to sing. If YOU do, you may win
glance of favor from his highnes
which, | need lot say, means n pas
port into public favor. Come. Am
not very good"
I'm my specchlcss gratitude ma'
some inarticulatc murmur of surpri
and delight.
"Eemember! Tuesday night at te
Do not disappoint me- And with
wave of the hand, and II smile half
patronage, half pity, the carria
rolled down under the intertWinl
trees.
- stood still a moment, scarce RI
lizing my good fortune; then rad
my good father, and e~Xultantly Il
him all. r,
"'Father. father! exclaimed. 'Thi
of it. | shall meet the great prin
and / shall sing for him. Why is not
the world mine now?
"'DeliShtful, my chlld' ne salu' w
that half joy that was so full of me-
ing. And You shall go-by all meal
1.-THE dress ! sand, n lcngth; 'wh'
and how shall ! ever obtain one fit
bear the scrutiny of a princcP
''For d moment he looked BAN
Then he turned his face away, strik
his palm with the gold-headed ca
You shall CO. he said, calmly.
"For the two days | worked likt
battle-paintcr-like one who prepn
for u great coup d'ctat. The Low
gown was procured; and even whel
noted that the solid gold head of
good fathers staff was replaced by
sallow dea~th's-hcad, did not even I
%rcproach at this one unspcakablc 81
flee. / was to meet the grand pri
and To sing for him; to get Il glimpse
myself in the great mirror once m'
I.- Ill - .NAa1r M.