The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-07-21

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-
ious for the appearance OF the prima
donna, and scarcely noticed the rough
maidens In tinfoil armor. until his eyes
CHANGED to rest on the girl next to the
front rank leader.
She had different look from her as
sociates, lacking something of their
professional air, and singing as il she
enjoyed it. The freshness and native
grace of the girl attracted Ferris.
Since boyhood, he had knocked about
the world, and 1t 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 ne had been sent
to the theater
Next day the face Of the chorus girl.
Ind its 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 q fellow reporter he learned
that the girls name was Marguerite
Gray, and that she carried about with
her q 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
EXCEPTIONALLY 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 in the quietest of cos
TUNES. and accompanied by the sfore>
said mother, who would have put
Medusa to the blush for stoniness of
manner.
Like a true diplomat Ferris devoted
himself to the worthy Gorgon, recall
ing that her late husband had once
helped him out of q bad scrape--had, in
fact, stood by him like an elder broth
er. 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 fat next day.
Next day he went to Mrs. Gray's
little Harlem fat 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
Yves warmly invited to call often
which he did
Life became very pleasant to both
newspaper man and chorus girl In
the early winter twilight Ferris used
b call for an hour on his way from the
oflce. Mrs Gray was usually busy,
md the two young people would sit in
the dusky little parior before coal fire.
Ferris did most of the talking, Mar
nuerite listening with sort of awe to
the man who knew SO much and who
had read all those great books that one
heard about.
3 To please him. she tried to read
Dickens, beginning with the Tale OF
Two Cities" and though hopelessiy
confused by the interminable line OF
characters and English humor. had un-
derstood enough to cry heartily over
sydney Cartons brave death and DIR.
Manette's sufferings
She told him the story of her life one
afternoon, upon confession that the
late Mr., Gray had not taken him into
confidence concerning home matters.
She told him of her fathers business
difficulties and death, her mothers ct.
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 a
chorus girls existence, she spoke little
whenever he had night of he went
TO the opera with her, and knew she
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
1t proper
So life went on Tor three months.
Winter passed, and the coal fire was no
longer needed. Marguerite and Ferris
began to plan Sunday eucursions Tor
tho summer months.
= About this time capital and labor re-
viyal their long standing feud, and the
samous Homestead riots began.
Ferr,s was sent by the Planet to the
80 - +hA disturbances. fr1%company