Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-09-21

gotten my fan, will you oblige me with
ofit?"
My fan, nademoiselle!" replied Corona,
rising and flushing. Il cannot lend you
that. am very sorry-vcry sorry, indeed;
but it was given me by-by very dear
friend, and l do not like to lose sight of it
even for moment!" and rs she thus spoke
the actress drew me tcrth-I was attached
to her girdle by .. Vbsetian chain OF
about admirinsly. "Ior won't deem me
ungracious in thus refusing your request
madcmoiselle:" continued She, in ques-
tioning tone: II will lend or give you any
other thing own, save my precious fan"
Maaemoisellc I.adrc looked disappointed
and distressed at the Coromas refusal.
"Whatever shall l do without a fan.
The shops are all closcd-there would he
no use in sending, out to rusJhase one!"
murmurcd the Aldabella ofthc evening.
Corona faltcred, and her soft smooth fin
cruel Of me to deny, you this, mademoi-
Sellc," she answered, gazing at me with
Cruel! Oh. no; who would accuse the
Corona of cruelty" half 'sneered Marsot
I.adre, with an upheaving of her magnif-
mademoisellc; pray pardon me-"
And with curtesy half knocking, Mar
got Ladre withdrew from the presence of
Corona-trom the presence OF woman
whom she envied and thoroughly hated
AS the door closed alter her, Corona's
heart instantly relented. Here, Gotton!'
she cried, addressing her waitingmaid. and
detaching me from her girde. "Here, fol
low Mademoiselle Ladre, and give her my
fan, with my best compliments"
Cotton took me from my mistress, and at
once carried me to Margot Ladre, who re-
ceived me with naughty bend of the
head and proud curling lip.
confess that l did not like to lose sight
ofmy own beautiful mistress, even for one
short hour. did not seem to care for Margot
Ladre; the touch of her fingers chill led me
through and through, and the sound of her
fawning syllables made me culver all over
with terror underlined.
she exclaimed within herself asshe gripped
fingers. ITS ' very lovely, oIsi see eSe sSe
added, closely examining me; ''but Tor ali
its worth and its beauty. she might have
lent it to me without making such posi-
tive favor of doing SOL wonder which of
this pretty toy Prince Lionel of Manlelm,
the Count dc Brandenburg, Baron Pillan,
Monsieur NillairS-or-or-I am sick OF
her list of suitors-or that handsome, love-
sick swain: Paul Favarge! IT'S we'll to be
the Corona she sighed, after pause. II
s Taa on Ss s soe4 o it, to And I vbv c her
not do one or the other?"' she
asked herself II am Just as handsome
as she, and just as clever only can get no
opportunity of displaying my talents here
and these people will smile on none but
the Corona, will listen patiently to no
nt hnr ht,f1 ,ar'x I h,,t~ l,1r a.
l hate her!" continued Margot, biting her
red lips and tiercely flashing her eyes.
"Hnrk to their plaudits!" she went on,
listening to the deatening applause that
was ringing througout the wallis of the
theatre. The Corona has only to lift up
her voice, and straightway it is greeted by
the reclamation of thousands. And with
all this adulation the woman remains as
simple as a dairymaid, and is desperately
in love with handsome Paul Favarge, they
say"
AS Margot Ladre spoke, she rose and
spread out her rich robes before full
length looking-clas*, in which her males
tic, figure and her regal head were brightly
reflected. She paused before the mirror a
long while, studying first one attitude and
then another, l had plenty OF time to ex-
anime her features, her swan-like throat
and her round. dimpled arms. Her hair
was golden-hued her eyes, large, grew, and
smooth and white her nose, mouth, and
chin such as a scul ptor would have chosen
for his Venus or his Hebe.
But with all her bedazzling charms, Mar
got Ladre failed to enchant me. No-I
was not to be won by either her face or her
form; my heart still remained loyal to its
rightlul mistress, the Corona You see 1
could read Margot Iadre's breast, and, do
ing so. l learned that her beauty was all
surface; that she was a dove feathered
raven, a despised substance of divinest
show, just opposite to what she seemed;
and | scorned her accordingly.
While she was yet before the mirror,
Paul Favarge entered the green-room, and
flung himself on one OF the cushioned
lounges.
You look weary. Monsieur Favarse"
observed Margot Ladre, turning round,
and addressing the actor.
Dol? Then l look precisely as l feel,
Mademoiselle Ladre. 1 don't like the part
| am acting to-night-it always makes me
feel both weary and disconnected with my
self"
"Hark. do you hear the applause? cried
Margot. 'The Corona is earring everything
before her to-night-quite extinguishing all
ofNls.' she added, with q bitter sheer.
Paul Favarge looked up vexed express
sion on his face
(rO ri cONTI~r7ED\