Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-07

STIFFNESS or the place, with its dry, bracing
air. he was sure would be a tonic to his
overworked friend. 1t had that effect at
first-just that next day. Evans drove him
for miles about the country, which is al
ways beautiful at any season of the year,
and then let him wander about as he
pleased. The peace of the place stole over
his tired senses, and he felt that he would
be content never to see the city, letter, a
newspaper, or to hear the rattle Of the cars
again That was the first day. and the
next morning these views were but slightly
modified: but as the day wore On a new
fever Of restlessness seized upon him. the
him down, and he felt that he could not
bear 1t. After luncheon. which the two
men partook Of rather silently, he care
lessly mentioned to his host that he had
decided he ought not to stay away from
his office another day. although even this
short visit, he felt, had benefited him.
He put his determination as courteousy
as he could for he thoroughly appreciated
Evans thoughtfulEess and hospitality, but
there was twinkle in his hosts eye as he
waited for him to finish.
Il am delighted to hear that. my boy"
he answered, slapping Stuarts shoulder ap-
provingly. Il don't believe l could have
stood another day of it myself" So they
went down on the afternoon train, and
parted cordially at the station.
Stuart dined at his rooms, and afterward
tried to settle himself with a book. He
had sent jeff off with his man, and the
studio seemed lonelier than ever; so he
shut the book and went out, with no defin-
lite idea where he would go-only some
where
He wandered aimlessly down town, and
then crossed over to the opera house, which
occurred to him as the most soothing place
he could choose, if he could only be left
alone.
He was not in evening dress, but did not
hesitate in his choice for that reason.
the SPECTATORS. still lowering about the en-
trance 80 Semiramide;' aisle seat, half
way down the center,' said the man.
Stuart took the ticket and sauntered in.
He did not like the opera, but consoled
himself with thinking that its music would
be more agreeable to him than some that
he really cared for. 1t would appeal to
MIN less, and his nervous condition was
SUCH just then that he shrank from the
slightest touch; he did not want to ex-
perience any feeling at all, and certain
music had the power to move him to act
ual suffering at times.
Inc curtain was just going up on the sec
ond act when he entered. The queen was
seated in rosy bower-for all the world
ike lady in a valentine, thought Stuart
Media was singing the part of the queen,
ana he did not like to see her belittled by
her surroundings so he shut his eyes till
she began to sing. He loved her clear
nuiellke tones. and that night she was in
exquisite voice. but the frequent runs and
trllls worried him; and then Scalchi came
In, and ran and trilled with her. while their
voices blended and parted and syncopated
each other in a marvellous network of tone;
but he was so i'll it worried him.
lie sat perfectly still during the change
OF scene, and did not look around, for he
did not want to have to go and talk to any
one. He let his mind wander on about the
opera; there were lovely bits in it. he knew
| but 1t did not interest him, and he objected
! to the many brilliant finales to the solos
and duets, which he considered positively
lncelicate in their evident bids for APP
plause.
The curtain went up again. and the Queen
and the populace were thrilled with horror
at the shade of Minus. The queen had
shared in the killing of her husband Was
there no remorse for those who kill the
heart?
Another change; he still sat unmoyed.
out iGiled somewhat by the flow of the
music; and then came the final duet: the
guilty queen, having twittered out her
emotions, at last rppled into its noble
sweetness and he felt it was worth having
waited all that while to hear. SO perfectly
ala the low notes of the daring contralto
blend with Mclba's marvellous purity of
tone. He had not wanted to be moved
but it vibrated through him and a sense of
exquisite delight and peace came over his
SOUL He turned and looked around, as il
10 eaten some sympathic glance in his plea
sure and his heart stood still In one Of
the boxes, so near him seemed as If he
could touch it by reaching out his hand
she was sitting, looking at him with i'm
pioring eyes. His senses reelad. IN had
come he thought-he had worked lust a
little too much. She seemed TO be smiling
at him now. He drew his hand wcarily
across his forehead. The applause for the
duet was deafening and IL confused him
still more. IF only the dead could find
out when to come back and be forgiven -
The old line that he had not seen since he
was a boy came back to him. Had she
been lost at sea? No, he did not believe
she was dead; the trouble was all in HIM
SELF. in his oyerworked brain. sndden
ialntness came upon him and he put his
hand over his eyes a moment. When he
took II away the dazzling lights were turn
ed on full again and she was not there
The applause still kept on and a few people
noticed him, as with all the color gone out
OF his face, he made his way slowly I'D the
aisle. He reached the lobby and leaned
heaViy against one OF the doors. He
could not understand what had happened
to him; 1t was physical impossibiity
That she could had looked into his eyes and
smiled.
The men came rushing out and the air
from the opening doors revived him; he
had sent a boy for his hat and coat and
was waiting for them when a man came
up behind him and put a hand gently on
his shoulder.
Edith wants you to go home with us,
Stuart, if you will"
1t was George Eccleston.
stuart looked at him in amazement.
Then it was she?" he whispered. quite
overcome But how-what has happened
to bring you back?'
Don you read the papers, MANI" George
asked, laughing, though Stuart's white face
somewhat startled him.
"Of course l do, but 1 have been out of
town for a day or two"
well, II you hadn't You would have
seen that We shipped one of the biggest
storm waves on record, a perfect monster
and were so badly smashed We came back"
George explained. 'Deuced nuisance but
It's better than going to the bottom, ally
how. Come along"
She had sent for HIM Hope sprang IN
undaunted still in his heart, tho igh he ,-icd
to crush IL back; he could not go through all
mat suffering again. But she had sent for
him. In a moment he was beside her in the
little anteroon of the box, and they wanted
10 take him home with them.
She was with the Caryls who always left
before the last act to avoid the crush, which
made both the elderly Caryls f6sety-a
practice, however. which eXasperaled all of
the young Caryls, who, fortunately, were
not there that evening. There Was no
trouble getting their carriages at once on
the 18th street side, and IL all happened so
quickly that Stuart still felt somewhat
dazed as they ratified along to the Eccles-
tons home.
AT last he was alone with her In the draw
ing room, which, although he was quite OBJ
hvious to 1t, was grewsome enough, with
brown holland over the furniture. the pic
lures misty with white tarlatan and CHASTITY
outlines of statuary swathed in cheese cloth.
which had been done preparatory to a long
absence from home.
Il thought l had suddenly gone insane"
he told her, when l saw you looking at me