Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-09-28

i
don't wonder at it, since I see so many
of her admirers in the boxes. The
Count dc Brandenhurg never once removes
his eyes rom the Corona while she is act
ing: but the moment she makes her exit,
he turns his back upon the stage, and like
wise upon whomsoever she may leave up
on i; "
Did you see him do as much, Madem.
oiscic?' asked Paul Favarse. uncasily.
Yes over and oyer rgan, replied the
actress.
At this moment, Corona, flushed with
success, let the stage. and entered the
green-roon. followed by the Count de
box and rushed behind the scenes. to COM
pliment the actress upon the wondrous
powers she had but now displayed.
Paul Favarge looked annoyed; and
madcmoiselle i..adre took possession Of the
unoccupie'l seat by his side.
"What supreme felicity it would be to
be the husband OF a woman thus ever fiat
tered by titled ar>tocrats.." sneered Mar
got La'!re, glancing towards the Coro-
ma. 81 would not envy the lot ofsuch q
husband, not !"
The actor WINGED at these TO him) sting
ing remarks; hut remembering that his
engagement to Corona was not genera "
known. and that Mademoiselle Ladre
might be in utter ignoraace of it, he for
bore making any reply.
The Count was talking to Corona. bend.
ing over the chair on which she had lust
seated herself. His lace was full of ANNA
ton, while hers was calm and listless.
She did not care or his Hattering speeches,
nor or the love-words he contrived to
mingle with his syllnbles of praise
AT length he drew forth diamond brace
let, and pre- ented it. For the Corona,
from the Emperor, whose manager am l. ,
he said offer .ng to clasp ,he costly circlet
OH the actresses arm.
From the Emperor. Corona dared not
refuse the valuable gift. so she permitted
the Count to tasten it around her wrist
Mademoiscic ladre's eyes We're at work
She saw the glittering bracelet placed on
Corona's arm; and her crvious heart was
Wcll-nigh bursting. She looked around at
her companion, malice cleaning in her
floor, moody aud disconnected, vexed
with his betrothed, with himself
and with everything about him like.
wise.
Paul Favarge's temper was ruiflcd to-
night. His really excellent acting had
while that .! Corona had been rewarded
with dealening shouts and braves. He did
notlike this treatment: and his spirit was
Ea::cd at that which should have most re-
joiced it, namely, Corona's success.
Presently Mudemoiselle Ladrc touched
Paul Oh the shoulder and llirtel HE full in
his face.
Paul Favarse, rccognizin" me- flushed an
angry scarlet.
rs not this Corona de Narncvs FAM"
'AsSuredly it is, Monsieur l'avarge. All
swered Mademoi~cIlc I.adre, quickly" and
using NE very freely Il She spoke.
lie made no further remark: hut he
mnaned inwardiy at finding his costly love
token to Corona III the hands OF another
woman.
MarSot Ladrc understood something of
his feelings-i'ir she guessed it was he who
had given me to the C0rona--nut she
looked quite innocent, and went on as be-
lore.
Its a pretty trihc. isn't IT," said. she
waiting me 10 and fro. 81 call it a trihc
because it must be such to one who re-
ccives diamond bracelets from the Count
de Brandenbur@.
Corona has received no bracelet from
the Count" flashed Paul Favargc. Mad
clnoiselle must have been misiniOrmed Oh
tue sub cct.'
Use your own eyes, Monsieur Favarge"
Mango. rejoined, lightly Struggling her
white shoulders, and nodding towards the
Corona. who was still listening to her
noble admirer in tar-Uif corner of the
room.
Paul Favargc's gaze fell on hc'Glistening
jewels on his bet:uthed ones arm, and a
sickc.:!ng clraion crept through all his
veins. When. when did Corona become
possessed of that splendid ornament. and
wherefore hal she never mentioned it to
him. to him who had the right to know
her every action?
Corona, meanwhile, though apparently
listening to her noble admirer. was narrow
" watching her lover, Paul Favarge. and
Mademoisel!c Iadre. Corona could see
that lauy smiling on Paul, and displaying
all her many attractions; and certain
jealous fears crcpt into the COrOna's heart.
Presently she was summoned to attend
the business OF the stage; and the Count de
Branhenhurg following the actress, Paul
and Maryot were once more lett alone to-
gether
Now Margot was very specous and very
clever as well; and she had tongue that
could speak most iairly-that could belle
the feelings of her heart: and she could
smile end deceive every day in the week,
and every hour O. the day, when she found
it was to her own particular interest to do
so.
Margot Lahre. pcrceiving Pauls present
humor. determined 10 take advantage Oft.
Margot was ambitious. She did not like to
stand in the second ranks when she i'm
agined she ought to be standing in the first;
and she was longing 10 steal Paul Fuvarge's
affections from the CorOna-lOnging to
drive her away from Paris. il she could, in
order that the field might be lett entirely
to herself. Margot was well aware of her
own charms OF person, and of her towers
of fascination also; and she doubted not he.
ing able to gain certain influence over the
unstable mind of Paul Favarge. He vas
snlarting with disappointment. and she
sympathized with him, and flattered him;
and Paul was, at length, won to listen to
her-won to whisper back into her ear the
candied words she had just poured into his
own.
Thus encouraged, Margaret Ladre's eyes
melted and dashed by turns, and her voice
grew softer and softer in its tones which
tones begun to penetrate the actors too
susceptible breast.
Paul looked up into the beauteous face
of the speaker, and became gradually en-
tranced by it.
Marquis accents, we're now tremulo us
and broken; she was forgetting the mod
esty of her sex; she was contessing-in
cluaked language. admit-her long-ceal-
ell passion for Paul Favarge; and he was
l,earkening to her with evident attention
and pleasure, forgetting. at that moment,
The Corona and all her gentl eness, and her
unselfsh love.