The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-04-16
BETWEEN THE ACTS.
BY M. srowrrx.

In farlS, as lnOcoO tMOuBnOuU tne
whole Of France, everyone was in .
state of feverish anxiety; but in the gay
capital, the Parisians endeavored to
make the days of suspense pass more
quickly by fcting the expected victory.
One could hear the clinking of glasses
at the outdoor restaurants, the music
of the cafes-chantants, and the car
riages fled necessarily along the broad
avenue of the Champs Elysees.
The theaters, too, were well patron,
lied, particularly one on the boulevards
a certain evening when Mile. Jeanne de
Bclney was tn make her debut.
The papers had foretold most brill
liant success for the beautiful young
actress, who was so marvelously gifted,
and who would no doubt become tho
star of the season. She had chosen for
her debut la Dame aux Camelias,"
which was at that time in the height OF
its popularity, and the author himself
had said that the role of Marguerite
might have been written for this tai
ented young actress, SO admirably did
it suit her in every respect. From the
very first act it was quite evident that
her beauty and her talent had not been
overratcd.
The sight of her even had won all
hearts. A faultless figure, a delicate,
refined face, with lips which were at
cnce proud and tender, eyes of deep
blue with the most frank expression,
perfectly shaped head, and a carriage
| which would have done honor to 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 ovations
increased, and after the second act
there was a perfect explosion of ap-
plause. Among those who were most
delighted at Jeanne's triumph was a
young man who belonged to the theater
| Louis Belcourt. It was through his
influence that she had succeeded in
making her debut, for the manager of
this theater always preferred pupils
from the Conservatoire.
Louis had known and loved Jeanne
from boyhood, and there was some
thing infinitely noble and touching in
this devoted yet hopeless love. 1t was,
indeed, of q kind rarely seen in any
man, for it had not blinded him. and he
could see and admire the good quali-
ties of his rival-the man to whom
Jeanne had given all her love.
It had been very romantic, the en-
gagement of the beautiful young ac-
tress. A short time before, at the Long
champs races, she had been glancing at
the grand stand, where Napoleon Ill.
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-
cinated, a few minutes later she
glanced again at the place behind the
court ladies and she saw military
looking man, whose face was bronzed
by the southern sun, and who had risen
from his seat and was gazing earnestly
| at her, as though he, too, were fascinat-
ed by some spell.
Not long after, Roger de Morfeuille.
officer in the emperor's regiment, had
| discovered who Jeanne was. 1t was an
extraordinary engagement; no word of
the future had been spoken between
them. Roger knew that he would have
to 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 broached between theIu.
Jeanne knew only that their path in
life must be together; she felt that it
must be so, and there was no need for
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
were spoken as to the future.
After the second act of the "DameAuX
| Camelias," 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 to 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 it was
the day of her debut; she felt certain
that, even amid the smoke of the battle
field, he would not forgetit. She hardly
dared own it even to herself, but all
day she had expected some little souye-
mir from him, some sign or word OF
sympathy; for was she not, too, fight
ing battle, one of those battles which
decided the life of individuals just as
much as his did that of nations? On
opening her dressing-room door flash
of mingled triumph, love and pride
came over her as she caught sight of a
telegram on her table.
She closed her door quickly, not no.
ticing that Louis Belcourt was follow.
ing her quietly along the corridor.
Suddenly, through the thick doors
and curtains. in the silence of the empty
corridor, Belcourt heard a fearful cry.
1t was so wild and passionate that a
sbjver ran through him. He opened
the door and was just in time to catch
Jeanne in his arms. She was livid with
horror and was clutching the fatal tele.