The Dickinson press., 1893-10-14

u'Nh q INV AVE- wv l'oNoS~~NS - q 1
very comfortably Independence: and one
Oft best tempers in all Christendom.
Corona was delighted with her hostess, who. |
on her part, was cqua ly well-pleased with
her guest. Entertaining this kindly feeling
for one an another, they lived together
like mother and daughter, united by bonds
o! mutual confidence and love.
Madame !AubeIine. WHO had been made
acquainted with all Corona's history, and
with all her secret sentiments as well, was
most anXious for the arrival of the hour in
which her guest would proceed to make a
trial OF her hearts feelings tor Paul Fa-
vargc.
Now. this examination Corona put of
from day to day, making first one excuse,
then another, for the delay. AT times. she
seemed quite afraid otthc task she had set
herself, and felt ready TO abandon it-ready
to fly once more into obscurity and peace.
And ! have no doubt she would have done
so, had not Madame Aubepine used her i'll.
tluence with Corona, and instilled fresh
courage into her vacillating breast.
Indeed. indeed, Ma'emoisclledc Mar
ncy, the widow.wou say over and over
cruelty unto yourself. You have a certain
mission to perform, and will not let you
rest until see you fulfil it,"
"Wait until tomorrow. my good friend,"'
Corona would reply. ''To-morrow | shall
be stronger and more resolutc than l am
now
And the morrow came, and another, and
another after that, and Corona was still
lacking the required resolution.
At length. Madame Aubcpine, pretend-
ing to grow tired ofand vexed at Corona's
want OF proper determination. said no
more about the matter. Accordingly, on
the following evening, Corona pronounced
herself ready and the widow, fearful
that her friend might again change her
mind, nj once hurried her off to the En-
peror's Theatre, ut which establishment
Paul Favarge and Mademoiselle Ladre
were stiN performing every night.
Corona, attircd in her peasants dress,
looking very rustic and very pretty, trembl-
ed and grew faint, as leaning OF madame's
arm she entered the vestibule ofthat build.
ing whose walls had 50 often re-cclloed
with her name.
"Couragc-courage: Madelon!" whisper
ed Madame Aubepine i'll Corona's ear.
ITS all like a story in u book" the widow
added, as she and her friend took their
seats in the front row ofthe second tier of
boxes.
al feel such a guilty creature; and | fancy
that almost everybody is staring at mel"
said Corona, rapidly changing color, and
looking greatly confused.
Pm not surprised at the latter fact"
laughed her companion. 'Ieoplc do not
behold such Il lovely country lass as your
self every day in the week! l never saw
you looking better than You are looking
now! Oh, fthc Count de B%radenburg could
but see you at this molnent!"
See nc. Heaven forbid that lie should
recognize me-"
Nonsense. He is q man ofhonor. Even
We're lie to renetrateyour disguise, l do not
think lie would accost you, OF seek 10 fol-
low you homc!'
81 do not think he would, madam; he is
ola proud race, and ! have %grievously Of
tended him"
".For which offence you are beginning to
feel very ~sorry-ch, Madelon:"
Nav; | said not So"
At this moment. two women Citizens
wiyes) took their seats precisely behind the
Corona and tier companion, and begun to
talk in n loud voice. one of the two wo-
men had i'll her hands Il programme of the
evenings entertainments They were evil
IDENTIFY frequent visitors at the Emperor's
Theatre, aud We're quite conversant with
the member of its company and all their
doings.
Corona and Madame Aubepine having
the chatter of the females behind them.
"Ah." observed one of these women to
her e%omranion, - hardly care to come
"Nor IT, rcioined the other. "Did you
ever hear Why she left Paris so suddenly
and SO Strangely"
We'll, peoplcsay it was because she was
in love with Monsieur l'avarge, while lie
himself was smitten with Mademoiselle
Ladre."
"Yes-l've heard the same tale; and that
the Corona. unable TO bear the %disappoint-
mcnt, Quilted Paris all in Il hurry. letting
no one know whittier she was going"
"Shc must llavclovcd Monsieur Favarge
very much"
''Oh. bless you, she was crafty in love
with him!'
And vet he die not care for herr
Not Il single sou, I've heard!'
"l've heard the same. Poor Corona!"
"Wcll, yes. ! feel sorry Tor her myself
very. sorry or her; but, for all that, l wish
and had stayed here to live it out! People
can live out their loves, ithcv only strive
to set their minds on doing so!'
YES, ! suppose they can"
81 did hcar-ot course, | can't voEch for
the truth ofthe %tale-that the Count de
The Corona, after whom he went searching
half over Franco"
"lndeed! Well, the Corona was a clever
actress. and Il very beautiful woman like
wise; but she was Il great ninny, notwith-
standing all that"
Corona colored and tremb!cd violently as
the above speeches slmote her ear. But she
had still further to listen to-still more
pain to endure.
"And Monsieur Fayarse, 1 reckon, Is
shortly to be married TO Madenoiselle
Monsieur Favarge and Mademoiselle
Ladrc were privately married to IL an
other n full week ago. Look in your pro-
grammc. madamc!" said a mans voice.
SIS it possible, MONSIEUR" exclaimed the
grammc in her hand. "Tllank you, Mon
sieur. it is a fact; here is the name Of Mad
anne Fuvargc. sure enough"
! Corona, pale as q ghost, fixed her eyes on
tine ~piay.biil before her; then having read
and reread the syllablcs OF that once be-
loved naine now conferred upon her rival,
she sunk back in her seat i'll a state almost
~lifeless.
Shall we return home, Madelon?" ask
ed her companion. in alarm: II am sorry
now that we ever came here.."
81 am not" gasped Corona, struggling
with her feelings. II came here in order
to test my strength and my weakness, and
l will not shrink from the trial, however
painful such may be 10 mel.
HE was not worthy of your love, Mad
clon!' returned the widow.
Corona made no answer. The careless
words she had overheard this evening had
stung her woman's pride to the very Quick;
sive and rash conduct, and was humbled to
the dust. She had made herself an object
of pity and ridicule, and now she was pom
dering how she could undo her own work,
ana make silent lhe ldle tongues ner lOLy
had set stirring.
AT length the curtain rose. the play ON
menced. and Paul Favarge, looking hand
somcr than ever. entered, and III full rich
tones, delivered h language o! the drama
tist. Blu the woman in the peasants dress
changed not a feature. She sat. with her
clasped hands resting in her lap. with her
eyes fixed on vacancy. She neither saw
nor heard Paul Favarge-she was wholly
absorbed in deep thought.
Presently, Margot Ladre-now Madame
Favarge-appeared. Corona slightly shud-
dered atthe sound of her voice; but demon
strated no other emotion, and spoke not a
single word.
Her companion was %anxiously watching
her afraid to disturb her by any observa.
ton. When the act-drop fell, Corona
abruptly started up.
!, Let lis go home" she said, briefly.
Her companion rose silently, and follow
: ed on for some time, the widow waitine
:. for Corona to speak first.