The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-07-14
[Esis cit3lIcotia


Albert Ferrars was dying. As lie la,
there friendless aud aInne-save for To-
kind attention of his landlady, who la;
been more than a mother to him
thoughts of happier and brighter day
would keep fitting through his brain
He had been an operate singer, ;
humhle member Of the chorus. II,
had fordly hoped that some day h,
might become Il "prircipal,n but i
was not to be. Death waits for III
man. and Albert Ferrars was dying
with all his hopes unfultiiled, all hi.
ambitious projects unrealized.
1t was the morning Of the last day
The dying man had passed a restles.
night. Sudd My lie turned to his ever
watchful nurse, whom he always ad
dressed as mother"
What is today, mother?n
"Wednesday deaF; why -
Let me look at the paper for a mo
ment," he replied. AS lie took it in
his hands, his face lighted up with q
beam of pleasure, and he burst forth
Faust, Faust; how glorious ~
What is, dear - asket his land
lady. Then she remembered that there
was only one thing III the newspaper
that had any interest for him-the
Oper'' f"- s!,e evenings performance.
Faust, did you Say sie uoIti,.
ueil. That's one of the best, isn'tit o.
Zone of the best, mother?-theb best,
the best beyond compare. All IshalI
never hear it again, never again"
mo, no, don't say that, dear, don't
say that. We live in hope"
"Hope. No hope for me, mother.
shall never listen to the sweet music
again"
After a pause he exclaimed, breath,
lessiy almost:
Fetch me pen and ink, and some
paper, lnother-quicll, quick"
"Pen and ink, dear?'
"Ies, quick"
"What are you going to write
about -
My beloved opera-'Faust.'"
who to, dear?'
"Marguarite =
1t was a. grand night at the opera
Innumerabie carriages we're bringing
the elite of society to he most fashion
able entertainment. Ro> atty, too, was
expected anu many well-known face;
in the world of art could be seen in the
crush. The popular parts Of the house
had long since been crammed to the
fullest extent by enthn iastic anna
teurs, all auXiouslv awaiting the open
ing bars of the well-known overture.
One need not be told that the opera
was q popular oae-"Faust."
But there was donble attraction OF
this evening. The celebrated primo
DONNA. Madame Madeline Lii, was
about to mr Ike her re eHtTce
She had just driven up to the stage
door in her brougham with her maid
AS they passed through the little
swing door, a bundle of letters anC
kilograms was handed to the latter.
They were carried to the dressing
room and laid upon the little table
which was already strawu with the
choicest flowers. AS the great singer
was in plenty of time, many of the
letters were looked through at once
All, or nearly all, were from intimat.
friends, and of a congratulatory
nature.
How happy they made the recipien
feel. Her friends were true, and thei.
good wishes did much to cheer her
and gave her courage to overcome tht
great nervousness from which she al
ways suffered. OGe letter, though
brought tears to her eyes. 1t was a.
follows
DEAR MADAME.-I was once
tenor chorister at Covent Garden, ant
as such have often sung in the sam,
opera with you. But alas, l shat
never do so again. am dying. Viii
o,,Iap NM 7 aSl- fa
immense favor of you? 1t is that
may hear your sweet voice once agail
before die. | know it is more thai
presumptuous OH my part, but will
Madame spare but a short space O
her valuable time to soothe the las
moments of one who could die happ,
listening to the sweet notes of he
angelic voice?
with dutiful respects, Madame,
81 am your obedient servant,
ALBERT Ferrars.
With tears dimming her eyes, tn
great singer could only murmur t
herself:
"How sad, poor boy, poor boy"
Instead of making her feel NOR
nervous than she already was, tina
letter, with all its sadness, seemed
put new life into her.
She WAS pure, sympathizing VIZ
man, with heart as affectionate an
gentle as a child's.
| That letter touched her heart. Tht
| letter told her there was one who, i
his d ing hour, could think of nothir
but her voice-''her angelic voice.
Gods precious gift!
What better use could she put it t
than to soothe the last moments of hi
who had asked such favor in such
delicate manner?
Yes. she would go. Go as soon as II
curtain has fallen at the end of tt
opera, and-les, why not?-
Marguerite go without changif
her stage costume. II was q pref
Wilma dainty thoughj.
Marian" she said to her maid,
she placed the letter of Albert Ferra
in the bosom of her dress, 'be rea(
to leave directly the curtain is dow
without stopping for me to change
have an appointment"
But Madame La Cumtesse de II
vile receives tonight, and Madame
60 is invited, and has accepted"
"Oh, yes, had forgotten repli'