The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-01-31
IN A PRIVATE BOX.

never been in his company elsewhere.
He used to play chess there, and so
did and our acquaintance had been
confined to chats across the checkered
board. was an enthusiast at the game,
while he, though much stronger
'player, seemed to use chess as solace
for some trouble, or to divert his mind
from unpleasant thoughts. Of this
was convinced.
Many months passed before 1 even
knew his name, which l at last dlscov-
cred to be Francesca Astarita He was
q decidedly good-looking Italian, about
80 syears of age, but his features already
bore lines of care or affection, | never
could tell which. l always found him
very variable in manner Sometimes
he would be almost affable, at others
silent and morose, but there was al
WAYS dash of melancholy in his con-
versation.
We met only at night, and gathered
that he held some mercantile appoint
ment in the city. He spoke almost
perfect English.
Will YOU have game?" 1 said, one
him at one of the handicapped tables.
81 should like to try that variation in
the Ruy Lopez again"
mo, thank you,' he replied, gruffly.
81 am just going"
"You are not feeling unwell, hope"
. He certainly looked very pale and
carcworn, but he gave no answer. A
sickly smile, half sneer, stole over his
face.
A few minutes later he rose, put on
his hat. and, with curt "Good-night,"
strobe toward the door. Then he sud-
denly stopped, came back, and said
81 am going to the Joility. Do you
care to come? 7 have taken a private
boX-quite alone"
Music halls, even when called thea
tiers or varieties, were not much to my
taste, but l was disappointed of my
chess, for there was no other person
present with whom l cared to play,
and, at any rate, l could come away
from the Jollity when I was tired.
So l accepted his invitation, and we
strolled along the street together. He
was unusually silent. and as | failed in
several attempts to get him into con-
. versation, I at length fell back on my
own thoughts.
What could indice q man of his
temperament to go to music hall
especially in such Il particularly I'M
sociahle mood? Could it be possible
that The entertainment would take his
! mind off his troubles? Thai he had
troubles, and serious ones, | could not
for a moment doubt. But what most
astonished me was to find him in
dulginS in the luxury ctf 4 private box,
for / was sure t1at h. was Il man of
4 slender means. The t.tket might have
been given 10 l'r. but he had distinct
1y said that he Lad ''t2I:en it." which
meant 'hi;cd H."
The bright and brilliantly decorated
house was already crowded in many
parts when We took cur seats and the
entertainment had tcojin A girl in an
ideaiilcd I.ale attrc Is singing a song
with Il rollicjsirg chorus, AMI youths
were rrinnira with enjoyment at the
same old jokes that their fathers and
glandf&' hers had rellshed in days gone
by.
Astarita looked horribly bored. He
sat al the EacI; of the box i'll silence.
Suddenly be pulled his chair nearer to
mine and became communicative.
You can't understand me-" he said.
"1ou think I am not happy. Well, l
am not. And do you suppose this pro-
gramme is likely to cheer me? Come
back out of that noise. l will tell you
story-a true story--a page out of
my own life
The audience was applauding, and
moved my chair into the interior of
the box.
'My father was an Italian"
$50 1 should judge by your name,"
i interrupted.
eyes; but he died when / was very
young, and my mother was English.
My home was at Naples. When L was
a lad I went into The office of large
firm of fruit merchants there. stuck
hard at my work for some years, and I
was doing very well. Then L met the
only woman | ever loved-I must have
been about 25-and the ouly woman 1
believed to be worthy of my devotion.
Ah, those were happy days!"
Astarita paused IN his story, and
seemed to be dwelling on memories of
the past.
What was l saying?" he suddenly
began again. "Ah, yes, remember.
Angela knew of my love and returned
1T. There was not shadow on our
path--until an English scoundrel,
called Herbert Ross, appeared on the
scene. l never knew what brought
him to Naples, but he came, and while
There, in an evil hour, met henry
eweef Angela.
THAT man, sir, had what the world
ealls winning manner. He could talk
well, played the violin, and was an anna
teur conjurer and ventriloquist. The
world loves a mountebank, and there
we're plenty of fools in Naples ready
q welcome him as q guest. The villain
fascinated my Angela-instilled into
Ter desire to go on the stage. He had
Influence with actors and managers
Everywhere, and, as her parents were
cad, and she was living with friends,
Ne had no difficulty in getting her an
Engagement.
''She was mad. But saw through
rs scheme. He wanted to get her away
rom me, and persuade her to marry