The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-03-17


matter materially" said Randolph, look
ing at the imprcsario. "But it occurs
to me that
The entrance of Beatrix herself at this
juncture prevented the thing which had
occurred to her father from becoming
known. She announced that supper
was ready. The gentlemen arose, and
Jocelyn, approaching her, took her hand
and put it under his arm, murmuring
confidentially in her ear, "How would
our little Beatrix like to pay all her ia
theirs debts, and set up the family on its
legs again."
Beatrix gazed round at him with
searching eyes and questioning lips
The unruly part of her excitement had
been composed by her singing, but the
exalted mood remained so that she was
ready to expect anything that was not
commonplace. She could not have told
what Jocelyn meant, and yet she seemed
to herself to anticipate what he was go
ing to say. Good news was in the al.
However, for the moment nothing mo-e
was said. Her father was behind, with
the general, and they were speaking in
an undertone. Her heart beat high, and
her step was light. AS they came to the
supper table, and Jocelyn pressed her
hand, she gave him smile which, had
he been worthy of it, would have knight
ed him on the spot. She was young aud
knew nothing worse than her own pure
self, and she was ready to give gratitude
without xyaiiin,r 70 lynnyv for, ,vhnt bar
gratitude was due. Experience of the
world is apt to correct this impulse.
The conversation at table wandered
first over miscellaneous topics, for Mr..
Randolph was somewhat mt a loss how
to present tine all important subject to
his daughter, Jocelyn was busy thinking
over his own part in the little comedy,
and the imp esario, besides finding much
to occupy his attention in the viands,
was now wholly at ease in his own mind
and dreamed of no difficulties. He had
interpreted Mr.. Randolph's scruples as
merely bid for good payment, to which
he had responded in his usual who'll
souled style; as to the young lady, Ct
course she would follow her fathers
lead. OF the three it was Jocelyn who
first spoke.
81 don't see why we should keep til.
dear child any longer in ignorance of tia
plot we have Matched against her." {
said, addressing the others, but keeping
his eyes caressingly on Beatrix. "My
dear girl, said brought you fame and
fortune; but, in fact, only brought you
the opportunity to win them for your
self. You have glorious future before
you. This gentleman is the owner and
manager Of the new opera house in the
city. All your favorite operas will be
produced there this season, splendidly
set and cast, and you, my dear Beatrix,
are to sing the leading music"
Beatrix grew pale, and turned her face
toward her father. "Oh, papa, can r.
hesaid IN low voice.
ut is painful, of course, to contem-
plate such thing" Mr.. Randolph re-
piled, looking down in his plate with an
uneasy, evasive air; "but we are poor
folks now, you know, and we must do
the best we can. We can only hope,
my dear, that the necessity will not
"Oh, but it is not that" exclaimed
the girl, interrupting him, and tremu-
lous with excitement; "but to sing, papa
to sing in real opera before real au-
dience! It a the best thing in the
world! But can l do it, do you think?
Am able? Would Professor Dorimar
have wished it? / would rather"-she
was gong to say "marry Mr.. Vinal, but
changed it to, II would rather do any
thing than disgrace Professor Dorimar. I"
"You just leave all that to me, young
lady," said the impresario, nodding
good naturedly. II take the risksl
You'll not disgrace Dorimar nor nobody