The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-26
BETWEEN THE ACTS.

| tQ6 1IOuul6I tauu bUIlE6 d UlOW
against the combined armies of north and
south Germany.
In Paris, as indeed throughout the
whole of France, every one was in state
of feverish anxiety, but in the gay CAPT
tai the Parisians endeavored to make the
days of suspense pass more quickly by fet-
ing the expected victory.
One could hear the clinking Of glasses
at the outdoor restaurants, the music of
the cafes chantants, and the carriages fled
necessarily along the broad avenue of the
Champs Elysees.
The theaters, too, were well patronized,
particularly one on the boulevard a GER
tain evening when Mile. Jeanne de Bolney
was to make her debut
The papers had foretold most brilliant
success for the beautiful young actress,
who was SO marvelously gifted, and who
would no doubt become the star of the sea-
son. She had chosen for her debut La
Dame aux Camellias, which was at that
time in the height Of its popularity, and
the author himself had said that the role
of Marguerite might have been written for
this talented young actress, so admirably
did it suit her in every respect. From the
very first act it was quite evident that her
beauty and her talent had not been over
rated.
The sight of her even had won all hearts.
A faultless figure, delicate, refined face,
with lips which were at once proud and
tender, eyes of deep blue, with the most
frank expression, a perfectly shaped head,
and carriage which would have done hon.
or to any queen.
At the sight of this exquisite creature
murmur of appreciation ran through tho
house and interrupted, for few seconds,
the dialogue.
At the end Of each sce1e the ovations
increased, and after the second act there
was perfect explosion of applause.
Among those who were most delighted at
Jeanne's triumph was young man who
belonged to the theater-Louis Belcourt.
1t was through his influence that she had
succeeded in making her debut for the
manager Of this theater always preferred
pupils from the Conservatoire. ~
Louis had known and loved Jeanne from
boyhood, and there was something in
fnitely noble and touching in this devoted
yet hopeless love. 1t was indeed Of kind
rarely seen in any man, for it had not
blinded him, and he could see and admire
the good qualities of his rival-the man
to whom Jeanne had given all her love.
1t had been very romantic, the engage
ment Of the beautiful young actress. A
short time before, at the Longchamps races
she had been glancing at the grand stand,
where Napoleon III and the ladies Of the
court were seated, when suddenly she be-
came aware of two handsome dark eyes
fixed upon her. She looked away; but. as
though fascinated, few minutes later she
glanced again at the place behind the court
ladies, and she saw military looking
man, whose face was bronzed by the south
ern sun, and who had risen from his seat
and was gazing earnestly at her, as though
he, too, were fascinated by some spell.
Not long after Roger de Morfeuille, Off
Ger of the emperor's regiment, had discov-
cred who Jeanne was. 1t was an extraor-
binary engagement. No word Of the fu-
trre had been spoken between them. Roger
knew that he would have to leave, for war
had been declared, and that until the re-
suit of that war should be known he could
promise nothing. The subject of the fu-
ture was not even preached between them.
Jeanne knew only that their path in life
must be together. She felt that it must
be so, and there was no need for words.
when Roger had to leave to join his regi-
ment he slipped ring he always wore on
to her finger and took from hers one for
himself, and still no words were spoken as
to the future.
After the second act of the "Dame aux
Camellias, % when the curtain had been
lowered for the sixth time, and Jeanne
had for the sixth time answered to the en-
II pnaa11c cbn want o1oxulu mn In,
her room. She felt overwhelmed. Perhaps
is was the excess of happiness at her good
fortune which weighed on her like this
Roger knew that it was the day of her de-
but. She felt certain that even amid the
smoke of the battlefield he would not for
get it. She hardly dared own it even to
herself, but all day she had expected some
little souvenir from him, some sign or
word of sympathy, for was she not, too,
fighting a battle--one of those battles
which decided the life of individuals just
as much as his did that of nations? On
opening her dressing room door flash Of
mingled triumph, love and pride came
over her as she caught sight of telegram
on her table.
She closed her door quickly, not MOTTO
ing that Louis Belcourt was following her
quietly along the corridor.
Suddenly, through the thick doors and
curtains, in the silence of the empty corri-
dor, Belcourt heard fearful cry. 1t was
so wild and passionate that a shiver ran
through him. He opened the door and was
just in time to catch Jeanne in his arms.
She was hvid with horror and was clutch
ing the fatal telegram In her hands
just as he was wondering what to do
for the best Jeanne's pallor gave way ton
rush of color to her cheeks. She read the
telegram to him: "We have been defeated
at Woerth. They are taking me to house
near by. Amputation probable. Pray for
me. My love, my darling. Roger Bel
court glanced at the telegram and saw
that it was unintelligible, but kind of
alphabet on the table showed him that it
had been written by signs agreed upon.
He stood as though thunderstruck. Sud
denly Jeanne put on hat and threw
long brown cloak over her stage dress.
''What are you going to do?'' he ex-
claimed.
81 am going to Rogerl"
HBut. in heavens name, Jeanne, stay