Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-07-22

| lover, Berlin carried the hopes and
fears of the whole audience with her.
Heroism, nobleness and devOtedness
were painted by her with a truth such
as have never beheld on a stage be-
fore. Nine times she was summoned
before the curtain at the end of the
play; flowers and even jewels were cast
at her from the boxes; Paris had never
before so rapturously greeted a.
debutapte!
For the ninth time she had bowed
and retired, when some one called for
the author. The cry was taken up; the
curtain moved again, and had
guessed aright.-the occupant of the
stage hox stepped forward and ac-
| knowledged, in few words the fayors
of the public. He was sensible, he
said that for his success he was en-
tirely indebted to Mdle. Bertn he was
proud -glad-grateful- knew not
how to express all that he felt. but he
thanked them respectfully and sincere
ly.
There We're a couple of vaudevjlles to
follow, but left directly, for | could
see nothing after Celeste Berth, and
returned home in rapture OF admra-
ton.
Night after night all Paris flocked to
the Porte st. Martin to worship the
divine actress among the throng of
her followers. Every glance, every
gesture and tone of the beautiful artistic
was treasured in my memory and my
chief delight after leaving the theatre
was to study the play attentiyely and
endeavor to recall the enchantment of
her voice and eyes IN every passage.
She was the subject of every con-
versation. The strangest stories were
afloat respecting her. From the highest
gentleman to the poorest garcOn de
boutique, all had some vague report to
circulate, But all agreed in one point,
that she was betrothed and tenderly
attached to Nj. Victor, the young author
in whose play she had made her first
appearance.
Six weeks had passed away; the
season was at its height and matters
were the same at the Porte st. Martin.
Still Celeste Berth rose in public
estimation with every character that
she performed. One night, after she
had surpassed all her former grandeur
and taken us by storm in the Phedre of
Racine, had returned home as usual,
to read the piece and endeavor to re-
produce in my memory the inspired
Interpretation of the tragedienc. had
draw my chair to the fire; my reading
lamp stood on the table beside me, and
| was bending over a volume of the
great dramatic poet, when sudden
and violent knocking at the outer door
startled me: listened-it was repeatcd
aud as | opened the window a voice
cried loudly:
"Hola! hola! is there a surgeon in
this house,
Il am physician" replied.
Yes, yes, come down-come instant
ly, pour l'amour de Dieu. quick. there
is no time to be lost
seized my hat and ran to the door
and there found man, who, the
moment | appeared, beckoned me to
follow and set of running down the
street. | had no resource but TO run
also and so | chased him down two
reighboring streets, till lie stopped
before the gate of a small house and
there paused for me to come up. Both
gate and door were standing open,
probably as he had left them in his
haste; through these he quickly led me
up flight of stars and into a small
bcdchamber. There were three persons
IN the room; a female on the bed, an
old man crouching in the chair by the
tireside, weeping bitterly and Il woman
servant who was bathing the forehead
of the sufferer.
"She has been undergoing great
excitement said my guide, pointing |
hurridly to the bed; ''she had scarcely |
reached home when she complained of
glddiness and exhaustion; about half |
an hour ago she became suddenly con-
vulsed, and"
] seized candle and crossed rapidly |
to the patient. Heavens! 1t was Celeste |
Berth! pale and motioness; dressed in |
the gorgeous robes in which | had be-