The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-27
SSsteadl
house
stand

;el-an
Fazg
Dedcnamber was like a conservatory, you
flowers There were bouquets from I'll Il
scene shutters, expectant Of fee fro tn
the new prima donna, from the choruA i
also to insure that its good graces shouldAl
be recognized in monetary form, from !,
the orchestra from the orchestra leader.
from the claque, bill of 800 francs for
so called "gratuitous services from
Geoffroy, from Desmoulins, from De
Lacaze, from Stornmouth, from the
World, the Flesh and the Devil, from the
entire Pension Picaud and from numer-
Gus persons whom Constance had for
gotten, but who availed themselves of
this suspicious occasion to refresh her
memory of them.
She had not yet risen. With newspa-
per clippings of every size and hue be-
side her she nestled among her pillows.
Most of the printed criticisms were
ecstatic in their praises. The new prima
donna was compared with every song
bird of the planet. Her grace was laud-
ed to the skies. Her voice was denomi-
mated "the sweetest the new world has
yet sent US" Her acting was universal
ly deplored. This did not discomfort
her, as she had expected much worse,
and rejoiced at any evidence of good
will. She entirely ignored the fact that
the criticisms had been coerced by Pris-
ella S diplomacy. She was ignorant Of
the true inwardness of professional hui
man nature 1t was only later she dis
covered that just this outspoken praise
of her was the direst calamity which
could have befallen her.
Today she was happy, strangely,
dreamily happy; contented, like sick
child convalescing from long days Of
pain and weakness, amid her faithful
friends, no longer buffeted by the storm
tossing i'll the past, which she now con-
templated with shudder and wondered
fearfully at having passed through un-
scathed. The sympathy in Doxie's face
had been the first evidence she received
Of how great and brave had been her
/ fight in the face of circumstances un-
suspected in the realm of home, girl.
hood and loving care
Doxie called early and left message
that he would take her for walk that
afternoon. Priscilla would not hear Of
Constance returning to the pension, for
the present at least She petted and cos
seted her Unfortunately. She astonished
Constance by informing her succinctly
during the course Of that long happy
morning that she had given up the
stage.
"What changed you in your pur-
pose?'
Things" returned Priscilla airily.
She began q conversation on totally
different subject. Constance had signed
three years contract with Geoffroy to
sing when called upon. to learn new
opera in 15 days if required, to remain
in the city all summer, through all the
opera season, as we'll as winter, unless
able to present doctor s certificate that
she was so i'll she required change Of
air and numerous other petty details
which she ignored at the Time but
which later assumed gigantic proper.
tions.
Tomorrow, Priscilla announced
the count calls to demand my hand
and dad arrives from New York. !" She
was looking out of the window into the
street. There was flower cart on the
corner, purple with Russian violets and
! yellow with nimosa Constance glanced
at her sharply. All she could perceive
was the tip of tiny ear and two hands
clasped firmly behind their owners
waist.
What are you going to do about it?"
she inquired, with assumed Indifference.
''What do you suppose?'' said Pris.
ella.
II know" asserted Constance posi-
lively, that you will refuse him."
"What an idea ~ CALCULATED Priscilla
sharply, turning suddenly and disclosing
a pair of innocent wide eyes and de-
llcious mischievous smile "What, may
] ask, induces you to suppose anything
OF the kind?"
Intuition. Constance remarked Just
as wickedly.
"What have you intuished?''
| "Don t be fool, Priscilla, and throw
away your happiness.
"You are fine person to counsel
WISDOM" cried Priscilla daringly
"How about Mr.. Doxie?"
"Well, what about Mr.. Doxie?'
"He is the man." Priscilla asserted
delightedly, with intense conviction
you sent away from you. I feel it in
my bones. !"
"What makes you think so?''
"There was the sweetest look in your
face last night, said Priscilla, "when
| you fell asleep, and, my DEAR saw Mr..
Doxie give you one look at the supper
table which taught me everything
wished to know. 1t was perfectly beau
tiful. +" This with an expression Of SUI
preme satisfaction which was in its way
irresistible.
'sHe is the mani
''Thank God!"
II refused. had not finished. What
had you said to Mr. Stornmouth last