The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-08

Sne put on her hat, went out to the
nearest 1eweler. and sold her watch
and chain-Lionel's wedding present
for probably about one-third Of It's
worth. With this she paid her bill at
Mrs. Locksley's.
Begging your pardon, ma'am," said
the lodging.house keeper, 'but what
be you going to do now?"
II am going to give music lessons"
said Theodore.
She had full, fresh voice, like a
lark's, and she knew that she could
make this one gift of God a bread
winner.
1T will be life Of drudgery." she
told herself, but l would starve SOON
err than apply again to the Dales for
+ assistance"
And the years crept by and the six-
teen-year-old widow who stormed the
citadel of fortune so bravely won the
day!
"Signora Theodore DALI! No; I
haven't heard her yet," said Mr.. Chan
dos Dale, indifferently. But they
say she is the best Marguerite we have
yet had, and I have sent to secure a
box for tomorrow night"
Signora DALI was in her best voice
that night when Chandos Dale. her
brother-in-law, sat with folded arms
in the proscenium box. And the half
blown bud Of five years ago had rip
ened by this time into the full-blown
rose Of loneliness. Her blue-black
hair flOated like jetty, glimmering
veil of brightness down her shoulders;
her eyes shone like midnight. stars,
while the radiant pink and white of
her cheeks owned none of their beau
ty to cosmetic arts!
And Mr.. Chandos Dale, sitting there
with intent eyes and an artists soul,
all alive to the flute-like richness Of
her voice, thought she was simply the
most beautiful creature he had ever
seen.
The Mayor Of the city where the
;ignora was singing had little pri-
Vate reception in her honor, after the
opera was over. Chandos Dale, of
course, was among the invited guests;
md then Signora DALI knew who he
vas.
II have the advantage Of him." said
theodore to herself, smiling curious
mile. And l shall take care to re-
ain it,"
Just a month afterwards Mr.. Dale
to make the beautiful sig
fora his wife.
Are you really In love with me?"
aid the signora, opening wide her al
eyes, where the jetty
Tres seemed to burn with sleepy lus-
mean opera singer"
And Chandos, about as hopelessly
Infatuated as it is in the nature of
lan to be, vowed that he would COM
lit suicide If she didn't have him at
nee.
Put 1t in writing" said the Signora
'heodora DALI, with a laugh.
"Why?" hi
1T is my fancy"
your will is my law" protested
If. Dale. So he wrote very pretty
nd poetic declaration of love, upon
nted paper, and sent it to the sig
ora's suite of apartments at pri-
ate hotel.
The same evening he received the
cry letter which had come to Lionel
ale's widow that October sunset.
it'll its penciled bit of sarcasm. And
nder it was written:
The young lady who beguiled Mr..
handos Dale's brother into secret
arriage has needed no assistance
ON his relatives. The Signora DALI
otherwise Mrs. Lionel Dale-returns
le inclosed compliments, and has the
onor to bid Mr.. Chandos Dale fare
ELL"
Theodore never enjoyed anything so
UGH in all her life as she did the
rting of this letter!
She had conquered her own fortune
wv. She was indebted to no one.
nd the next month she was married
a young English gentleman, who
ID followed her bright eyes nalf over
o continents.
While Mr.. Dale had the satisfaction
knowing that he had wrought out
) own destiny.