The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-26

especially after ne sees how uncomfortabl BILE
he makes me.
Presently, however, lose myself entirely il
the wild romance, live only for the spectacle
| before me on the stage.
| L forget everything but the characters in
the opera
1 shudder as the fiend tempts or taunts his
| victims.
I glory in his agonies at the sight of the
cross.
| weep with Marguerite in her mental
anguish and when the curtain drops for a
brief space, and I am called back to real life
| am very surprised to find in our box more
vlsltors-two other gentlemen besides Sll
Harry who, by the by, still honors me with
no small share of attention.
"Well!' exclaims Aunt Janette, with a
| laugh as 1 turn towards her at the fall OF
the curtain, after the first act Il did moi
think it possible for anyone to enter into g
thing as you have done, Barbara; your face
was a perfect Study-your lips were parted
you hardly drew your breath. Have you
never seen Faust before, chid?'
"Oh! no. 1 reply eagerly. Il have never
been inside a theater, you know. Is it-caI
it be-all unreal-it is SO very,very beauti-
| ful?'
She laughs again with hearty enjoyment
then, catching sight of another friend, who is
just entering the stalls she waves her fan te
him. smiles and mods; after very slight
hesitation, he turns back again, and in an
other minute so he too, enters our box.
We have just room for you,' she says
gaily. What long time since have seer
you! Let me see, where did we last meet?'
In Venice, at the Carnival, he replies
promptly
"Ah, to be sure, so it was; and, before that
in Paris.''
wouldn't you like stroll round?" sug.
gestS Sir Harry; and she replies that she
would, very much, but looks hesitatingly al
me.
Barbara, you have such a bad cold, and
the crush-room is So draughty.'
of T has hoo RI ho Of
behind; for, in truth, I have no cold at all
and instinct tells me that she is ashamed OF
my country-made dress.
Let me remain and keep her in counte-
nance, then, puts in Sir Harry, coolly
whilst you take turn, and then Colone
Treherne shall relieve guard and take my
place during the next interval
| Please not" cry, turning to Aunt Janette
with real distress in my face, for to be left
with this man would be dreadful I think
Il would rather be alone, I assure you"
THAT would never do she answers lightly
| eve will certainly avail ourselves of your
kind offer, Sir Harry. The theater is so close
and stuffy tonight, and these chairs are sc
very uncomfortable. There, we shall be back
before you know we are gone''
And, taking Colonel Treherne's proffere6
arm, she sails away, a perfect picture OF
fashionable contentment.
By some strange oversight, she has forgot
ten to introduce me to her friend, which in.
creaseS my embarrassment, for although
know that he is Sir Harry something or some.
body, he does not know how to address me
At least I think so, until ne says in re-
prca achful tone
"How could you be so cruel as to say thai
you preferred being left by yourself to hav-
ing me for companion? OH worthy name
sake of the healtless Barbara Allen
1 flush crimson, but cannot think of any,
thing to say in reply; the familiarity of the
tone borders on insolence, to my mind, added
to the look with which it is accompanied.
"Ycur glove is unfastened pray allow me >
he says after an almost imperceptible pause
and ere I am aware of his intention heseizes
my hand, and, before securing the one buttor
| that has afforded him the pretext for touch
ing me- contrives to unfasten half a dozer
more, evidently meaning to take his own time
in fastening them again.
1 snatch my hand away, a trif1e too quick.
ly, l afraid, but L feel burning with in
dignation. If he is a sample of London men
give country, that is all.
| L will not trouble you thanks" / saw
icily; Il am accustomed to wait upon my
SELF but my fingers tremble so much thai
they will hardly perform their task
Cruel girl, he whispers in my ear; why
| would you not give one glance of those
lovely eyes tonight? 1 was languishing fo,
sight Of them. 1t may be long time before
we have the luck to be alone together again
There they are coming back. That is the gay
widows laugh. Quick! tell we where you take
your walk in the morning-Where can I see
you?"
"Is the man mad?" wonder, trembling al
over with rage and mortified pride
! The curtain goes up again, and in followins
Marguerite's stage troubles I forget nv own
! They are to be recalled, however, sooner
than 1 have anticipated.
At the next fall of the curtain Aunt
Janette rises quickly to her feet. and bend.
ing towards me, says, hurriedly but kindly
| You must excuse my leaving you again
Barbara. l met an old friend of mine in the
CT c1ush-room just now-Lady Curton-and be-
fore we had time to exchange greetings, we
had TO part 1 promised to met her outside