Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-09-14

! against neF ROOu naWe-HOL one. she
had legion of admirers, none OF
whom could boast of a favor; she an
swered no letters she gave no inter
views; she accepted no invitations; she
visited among some OF the most ax-
elusive circles, where she was received
as an equal; she had had offers of mar
riage that would have made any other
woman vain; she refused them all
she seemed to live for her art and
nothing else. Such description nat
urally excited the curiosity of people
| and the result was a house so crowded
that 1t was almost impossible to find
room
I'VE may think ourselves fortunate, y
SAID Lady Chandos. Il have never
seen the house so crowded, and, do not
laugh, Lance, | do not see prettier
toilet than my own"
Lady Chandos was always well
pleased when her husband compli-
mented her on her dress; II he forgot
1t, she generally reminded him OF 1t.
She looked very beautiful this evening;
her dress was OF white satin, effect
lively trimmed with dead gold, and she
wore diamonds with ru6ies-no one
there looked better than the queen of
blondes.
Il am quite impatient to see La
Vanira," she said to her husband. Il
wonder why she has chosen this opera,
L'Etoile du Nord; it Is not the usual
thing for debutante.
Then the words died on her lips and
for some minutes she said no more.
The curtain was drawn up and Madame
Vanira appeared. There was a dead
silence for some few minutes, then
there was a storm of applause; her
beautiful face, won It, her grand figure
her eyes, with their fire of passion
seemed to demand 1t.
or all characters, perhaps that of
the loving, impassonate Star OF the
North suited her best. in it she found
expression for love, her passion and
despair. She stood before what was
perhaps the most critical audience IN
the world and she thrilled them with
ner power. 1t was no more a woman;
she seemed more like an inspired sibyl;
her audience hung on every note, on
every word from those wonderful lips;
while she charmed all ears she
charmed all eyes; the beauty of her
magnificent face, the Beauty of her
superb figure, the granduer of her at
titudcs, the inimitable grace of her
actions were something new and Won
derful. From the first moment the
curtain rose until it fell the whole
audience was breathess.
Lady Chandos laid down her jeweled
opera glass while she drew a breath of
relief, it was so wonderful to her, this
woman all fire. and genius and power.
Lance" she said to ner husband,
what wonderful face it Is. Have
you looked we'll at 1t.
She glanced carelessly at her hus-
band as she spoke, then started at the
change In him; his whole face had al
tered the expression OF careless inter-
est had died. the color and light died,
has dark eyes had strained, bewild-
cred look; they were Swallowed as
though by some great doubt or fear.
Lance" said his wife, ARE you not
well? You look so strange-quite un-
like yourself"
He turned away lest she should see
his face more plainly, and then she
continued:
IF you are not well we will go home
dear; nothing will interest me without
you"
He made a great effort and spoke 20
her; but the very tone OF his voice was
altered, all the sweetness and music
had gone out OF it.
= am we'll. he said pray do not
feel anxious over me; the house is very
fun and very warm"
What do you think of La Vanira?"
continued Lady Chandos; how very
different she Is to any one else"
He laughed, and the sound was
forced and unnatural.
Il think she is very wonderful" he
replied.
And beautrul?" asked Lady Mar
ion. with look of eager anxiety.
He was too wise and too wary to
reply with anything like enthusiasm.
Beautiful for those who like bru-
nettcs." he answered coldly, and his
wife's heart was at rest If he had
gone into raptures she would have
been disturbed
"If she would but leave me In peace"
thought Lord Chandos to himself
He was bewildered and confused
BEFORE him stood the great and gifted
singer whom kings and emperors had
delighted to honor, The most beautiful
and brilliant Of women; yet surely
those dark, lustrous eyes had looked
in his own; surely he had kissed tho
qniyering lips. over which such rich
strains Of music rolled; surely he
knew that beautiful face He had seen
1t under the starlight. under the shade
Of green trees by the mill-stream; 1t
| must be the girl he had loved with such
tn1I lava and nod ,,t.lnl mara - u