Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-26

her 1t was Maize who made daily
holocaust of unopened bllets-doux
and adorned her nursery with the
7 flowers that invariably accompanied
them. it was Maize who first en-
joyed. almost inspired. the dances she
invented. and who FIRST praised her
Sweet Mumse in her artistic CO.'S
tunes. Every evening she left the
child with new pang, though she
could not but feel her safe with good
Martha. and flew on the wings of love
to her bedside on her return Reso-
lutely she shut her eyes to all that dis
pleased her in her new surroundings.
and soon her dancing became to her an
I infatuation. For the time she was on
the stage all else was forgotten. Her
grief fell from her like a dismal gar
ment, and she stood the persOnification
of laughing youth, grace and joy. AL
ways CARRIED in white and with a
gauzy wing-like scarf-"La Paloma''
they called her after her first
dance-she floated in an atmos-
phere chaste and poetic, too deli
cate to be misunderstood. and
as before. even the women We're
charmed Yes. she might have become
and more fragile, and her heart failed
within her. She would take the child
in her despairing arms and hold her
so close that the little one would cry
out. yet was happy withal in the en-
brace; for she loved her "Mumsie'
With deep devotion, and seemed with
Il strange prescience to understand
much.
one nght-it was about three months
after her debut-she left home little
lighter Of heart than usual. MaiZie
had been feverish all day. but had
grown Quieter toward evening, and
they had had royal game of romps
and a big. big hug and kiss" when she
left. Toward the close of the evening
she began to grow i'll at ease, and
throwing her fur-lined mantle about
her, without changing her costume
she left the theatre hurriedly, and
jumping into hanson, was driven
home in all haste. The front door was
open. From the hall came the voice
of her physician:
Go quickly or she will not know
her"
Who will not know whom" she
said to herself who will not know
Niioiii Siit ~ tIt
| clan, as she walked quickly into the
house.
He took her in his strong arms, car
ried her to the nursery. and placed her
| in chair beside her child. The dear
little face. already famed by the wings
| of the angels. flushed softly.
Il was waiting, Mumsie,' she whis-
! pered: YOU will dance for me now,
will YOU mote"
| She fell on her knees beside the
| couch, and took the little one in her
arms.
Sweet lovely Mumsie," said the
chnd, kissing the bare arms; you will
be a real dove in Heaven"
| Maizie, Maize. do not leave me!'
| walled the trembling woman.
No. Mumsie," answered the child;
you shall come too"
The mother gazed at her. speeches.
and wild with alarm.
! "Mumsie,' said the little one. trying
to raise the heavy little head with the
. short golden curls in damp ringlets
on the pale forehead, "Mumsie dear. do
dance. Perhaps the angels don't dance.
and l love it So
With great sob and supreme ef-
| fort she rose from her knees threw OF
the heavy cloak which was still about
her, and began to dance. Was ever
such martyrdom. ever such bravery!
All! Mother and saint, in other days
canonization was often more lightly
won. On she danced in the dimly-lit
death chamber. those outside standing
with bated breath not daring to en-
ter. yet seeing ALL Sweetly the child
smiled. lifted the little hand once as II
to thank her. then the futtering eye
lids closed. the long lashes rested ON
! the pale cheeks. and she was STILL
Closer and closer danced the mother.
| till she leaned anxiously. breathlessly
over her child. fearing to stop abruptly
lest she should waken her. Then with
a cry that rang through the house.
and rings now in the ears Of the two
who waited outside the door. she fell
on the couch beside her angel. and the
brave heart broke.-Black and White. /.