Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-06-20

iadisS. like flowers lu a weIl-sfocKeGs
garstcn-ssed with their ffutfering fans
all In motion. and their fzcs.s looking
very white and Ilatrician In the strong
light. ard then size saw the burning
pile of conservatory flowers on the
platform. and one figure standing up
la gold and white which giimmered.
thought the old ParisIenne In her
heart. like the blessed sunlight and
the holy moonlight caught and bound
in one sheaf::'' aud then-the voice.
Mother Peliesier was tottering MP
the crowded aisle. pushing between
the people, wedging herself past every
thing. slowly but Ies0lutely up 10 the
platform, until. at the last verse Of the
song. she was directly i'm front. her
withered hands holding onto the edge
Of the stage. her stock In trade lying
forgotten nj her feet. while fine ladies
and nlustaehed gents looked on In dis
may.
MademoiseIIe cepliIss. pausing after
brilliant roulade for the instrument
TO echo IL. saw. for the first time. the
wrinkIed face al her feet.
Suddenly her white-gloyed hands
came together. and that form of grace
became strangely rigid. The echo
died away. the players locked In sur
prise at their prima-donna. Had she
forgotten: Had her voice failed her?
They repeated the echo once, twice.
No answer from the bIrd-like voice
They family sketched the next few
iiars In the desperate hope OF recalling
mademoiselle 10 herself. and the lead
er held toward her the sheets of music.
WHAT Mute s,iiI:
The orchestra rose In alarm. every
soul iH the house did the same, as IL
moved by one common panic.
And az this moment the prima-donna
began 20 walk across the platform. and
TO come down the steps into the hall.
with her long. golden train floating
behind her. and every satin fold be-
trayiDg the tremulous motion Of the
limbs. while she held her white arms,
all laden with cianking bracelets. out
stretched toward old Mother PeIletier.
Mother. In0therr' s0bbed the printa-
donna. falling ON her knees. and clasp
Ing the faded. dripping relic Of human
ity 20 the sIlken breast '.Ah! do you
not remember your Pefiteg-
This Is my daughters voice, but not
Petife's lovely face returned the old
woman. trembling.
taNA stAAttEANNArftF JULIEN tDft O1A
cunning mask. and disclosed the
sweetest girl-face ever mother gioafed
over 10 the bewiIdered gaze OF the
audience
And there WIS stnpeiied silence.
while the pair chung together In an
embrace which seemed as IL II would
have no end.
At last the leader Of the orchestra
went down and spoke 90 the priina-
donna. and presently. with that lovely
young face still exposed. she sweep;
back 60 the platform on his arm. and
said. in clear. though faiiering tones:
My friends. cannot sing again 10
you tonight. A great JOY has come 10
me. ] left my mother five years ago
In Paris. because she would have me
wed one who was worthless. though
wealthy. and came 20 this generous
land 60 earn my bread thus Pardon
me. II. 90 b. kept pure and stainless. I
wore this mask. shall wear IL no
longer. Ny mother will protect me.
After ] left her. she fell into poverty.
and followed me 60 America. hoping
to md me. All. thank Heaven. thar
Is over. Now. dear friends. will stay
one day longer. and sing tomorrow
evening for you-witbout the mask"
And then they all appiauded until
the hall rocked 10 it's foundation.