The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-05-31

question of wearing tights in he new opera bouffe Semi 1mis, and told the reporters that the first night of the opera would show the public which side had triumphed.
 Accordingly, the house was packed, and Ferris was sent by the Planet to witness the outcome of the struggle. He watched the Amazon guard listless- ly in the opening chorus He was anx- ioas fur the appearance of the prima donna and scarcely noticed the rough maidens in tinfoil armor, until his eyes chanced to rest on the girl next to the front rank leader.
 She had different look from her as sociates, lacking something of tbeir professional air, and singing as if she enjoyed it The freshness and native grace of the girl attracted Ferris. Since boyhood, he had knocked about the world, and it was seldom that a new face interested him; but tonight he found himself following this .coryphee with his eyes throughout the act, becoming so much absorbed that he nearly forgot why he had been sent to the theater.
 Next day the face of the chorus girl, and it's utter incongruity with the sur roundings, came to to his mind; and the evening found him once more at the theater where "Semiramis" was playing.
 From a fellow reporter he learned that the girls name was Marguerite Gray, and that she carried about with her a mother who might have played the role of the dragon in .Siegfried Ferris had little trouble in getting be- hind the scenes and, thanks to the good offices of the manager (who was -objectonably grateful to him for the puff his opera had received in the Planet). he was enabled to meet his unknown. She was about to leave the theater, dressed iu the quietest of cos tunes, and accompanied by the afore, said mother, who would have put Medusa to ths blush for stoniness of manner.
 Like true diplomat Ferris devoted himself to the worthy Gorgon, recall ing that her late husband had once helr"d him out of a bad scrape-had, in
 tood by him like an elder broth G.. ferris conveyed the information that he had long meant to look the mother up to ask after his old friend, and ended by obtaining permission to call at her fiat next day.
 Next day he went to Mrs. Gray's little Harlem flat, and, having made inquiries that morning, was able to talk with fair degree of intelligence on the subject of the dear departed Gray. In fact, so kindly did he speak of his putative dead friend that the widows heart was won over, and he was warmly invited to call often which he did.
 Life became very pleasant to both newspaper man and chorus girl Tn the early winter twilight Ferris used to call for an hour on his way from the office. Mrs. Gray was usually busy, and the two young people would sit in the dusky little parlor before coal fire. Ferris did most of the talking, Mar guerite listening with a sort of awe to the man who knew so much aud who had read all those great books that one heard about.
 To please him, she tried to read Dickens, beginning with the ''Tale of Two Cities" and though hopelessly confused by the interminable line of characters and English humor, had un- derstood enough to cry heartily over Sydney Cartons brave death and Dr. Manette's sufferings.
 She told him the story of her life one afternoon, upon confession that the late Mir. Gray had not taken him into confidence concerning home matters. She told him of her fathers business difficulties and death, her mothers eff forts to support herself, and then her own happy discovery that she could made living on the stage. Of the trials, hardships and repu lsIveness of chorus girls existence, she spoke little
 Whenever he had a night off he went to the opera with her, and knew sine sang better for his being there. After the show he sometimes invited her mother and herself to supper; but to these suppers the widow could never be induced to consent. Even Ferris friendship for Gray pere, did not make it proper.
 50 llte went on TOT three months Winter passed, and the coal fire was no longer needed Marguerite and Ferris began to plan Sunday excursions for the summer months.
 About this time capital and labor re- vived their long standing feud, and the famous "Homestead riots" began. Ferris was sent by the Planet to the | seat of the disturbance, in company with special artist He was to leave New York on Monday morning, and Sunday evening he called on the Grays | to say good-by.
 Mrs Gray was out, but he found l Marguerite sitting before the open fire. | He spoke to Marguerite of his grati- tude for her friendship to him during | the past months, and said more than | he had meant to. But the look in her | eyes did not tend to make him regret | what he had said.
 The Planet for the next few days | contained graphic, cleverly-written ac- counts of the strike; then another and | less facile style became apparent, as thouOh some one else had been detailed |