The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-05-09
BETWEEN THE ACTS.
BY NJ. BLOwITZ.

been declared.
MaeMahon had received orders to
cross The frontier, aid strike decided
blow against the combined armies Of
North and South Germany.
in Paris, as indeed throughout the
whole Of France, everyone was in
state Of fererish anxiety; but in the gay
capital, the Parisians endearored to
make the days Of suspense pass more
quickly By feting the expected victory.
One could hear the climbing of glasses
at the outdoor restaurants, the music
ei the cafes. ehantants, and the ear
riages filed necessarily along the broad
avenue Of the Champs Elysees.
The theaters, too, were well patron
izcd, particularly one on the bouleFards
a certain evening when Mile. Jeanne de
nolney WAS to make her debut,
The papers had foretold a most bril-
liant success Tor the beautiful young
actress, who was 50 maryelously gifted,
and who would no doubt become the
star Of the season. She had chosen sor
her debut LA Dame aux Camelias,"
which was at chat time in the height of
is popularity, and The aa6hor himself
had said that the role Of Marguerite
might have been written for this fall
elted young actress. so admirably aid
| It suit her in every respect. From the
very first act IL was quite evident that
| her beauty and her talent had not been
ogerratcd.
The sight of her even had won all
| hearts. A faaltless figure. a delicate,
refined face, with lips which were at
cnce proud and tender, eyes of deep
blue with the most frank expression, a
perfectly shaped head, and a carriage
which would have done honor 10 any
queen.
At the sight Of this exquisite creature
murmur of appreciation ran through
the house and interrupted, for few
seconds, the dialogue.
At the end of each scene the oYations
increased, and after the second act
there was perfect explosion of APP
plause. Among those who were most
delighted at Jeannes triumph was 4
young man who belonged to the theater
Louis Belcourt 1t was through his
Influence that she had succeeded in
| making her debut, for the manager of
this theater always preferred pupils
from the Conservative.
Louis had known and loved Jeanne
hon boyhood, and there was some
thing infinitely noble and touching in
this devoted yet hopeless love. 1t was,
indeed, Of a kind rarely seen in any
man, for it had not blinded him, and he
could see and admire the good quail
ties Of his riyal-the man to whom
Jeanne had given all her love
II had been very romantic, the en-
FaRement of the beautiful young ac-
tress. A short time before, at the Long
champs races, she had been CHANGING at
The grand stand, where Napoleon III.
and the ladies Of the court were seated,
when suddenly she became aware of
two handsome dark eyes fixed upon her.
She looked away, but, as though fas-
cjnated, a few minutes later she
| glanced again at the place behind the
court ladies and She saw military
/ looking man, whose face was bronzcd
| by the southern sun, and who had risen
! fIom his seat and was gazing earnestly
at her. as though he, too, were fascnat-
cd by some spell.
Not long after, Roger de MorfeulIc,
officer in the emperor's regiment, had
discovered who Jeanne was. II was an
extraordinary engagement; no word OF
the future had been spoken between
them. Roger knew that he would have
"a leave, for war had been declared.
| and that until the result OF that war
should be known he could promise moth
ing. The subject of the future was
not even preached between them.
Jeanne knew only that their path IN
life mast be together; she felt that it
must be so, and there was no need fer
words. Only when the terrible parting
came, when Roger had to leave to join
his regiment, he slipped a ring he al
ways wore on her finger and took from
hers one for himself, and still no words
were spoken as to the future.
After the second act Of the Dame aux
tamclias," when the curtain had been
lowered for the sixth time, and Jeanne
had for the sixth time answered to the
enthusiastic recalls, She went slowly
up 10 her room. She felt overwhelmed,
perhaps it was the excess Of happiness
at her good fortune which weighed on
her like this Roger knew that IL was
the day Of her debut; she felt certain
that, even amid the smoke Of the battle
field, he would not forget IT, She hardly
dared own II even to herself, but all
day She had expected some little souye-
mir from him, some sign or word OF
fYmpathY; for was she not. too. fight
Ing p battle, one OF those battles which
decided The life OF individuals Just as
much rs his did That OF nations? On
opening her dressing room door a gash
OF mingled triumph. love aud prids
came over her as She caught sight Of
telegram on her table.
She closed her door quickly, not ns,-
ticing that Louis Belcourt wal follow
ing her quietly olonr the corridor.
Suddenly, through the thicl, dao,s
ard curtains. ia the tilencc Of n emptI
corridor, Eeleouft heard ftuflul cry.
| q WIS 80 Wild and tsuaginnsfs that "a