The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-18
$2@
At A DANCERS FEET.


/ Lillrs that had been full of both joy
enie sorrow; of happiness and heart
he'd le. For three long years she had
| existed for the words which would
|tt ghten her whole future-iust three
u le words-"I love you"
Ho.Why doesn't he speak?" she ques-
usled herself "Why doesn't he tell
bh La that he loves me?' Suddenly she
srnilqbt her hraa+b "Ab, remember
/ re was something to-night-he
NJ he would tell me something
u.s." And as she left the room new
Ehrt, shone in her eyes and a new hope
,nayned in her heart
is they entered the box the orches-
was playing the soft, sad strains
a selection from Martha" Cecile
bd"tled herself costly in one of the
DIST comfortable of the chairs and
Ehgh bert seated himself at her left
ID afThere is a new feature for tonight
cile," he said, studying the pro-
mme, "a dancer-her first appear
Berree in London" Cecile glanced at
+ ptbr bill What an odd name" she
yle,ss eD A'D'a' "O"uei VIM 'Ae
'ril An Italian, one of the boys at the
nla.b told me. He met her once. Said
| was a sweet little thing Her life
Try has been sad one She was
hrS.lrried. but left her husband-de-
lorected him, they say'-his face sud
Ed only darkened He bent nearer.
he whispered in changed
veaice, 81 told you l had something to
| you-somethng about my past
story. Tonight you shall hear it, for
Mrs believe that you, and you only, can
Maze me the sympathy | crave"
th;a The music crashed The theatre
"i'ts in darkness. Then a steady blue
her hit Illuminated the stage and from
ieTae orchestra there floated strains so
erd, so strange that Cecile shud-
red. The audience was in a state
Mrs. breathless expectancy
hrs. Then the wierd lights changed to a
/ st ssy hue and there bounded on the
iaRge little figure clad in shrouds of
Ia my lace, her dark hair falling in
lg ringlets about her fair shoulders
er dark grand eyes flashed glance
ound the theatre They reached the
|irs. wer box-paused-the dancer stag
|ne, red backward, clasping her hands
of her heart
|d 3tA low cry at her side caused Cecile
Is. start toward her companion. He
Il aid half arisen from his place, and
it'll dilated eyes was gazing at the
nicer. With a supreme effort the
|Trs nicer collected herself; the music
ha ,ashed anew; the lights grew bright
:, and 'Zanta," the pet of Italy, in.
ne lalled herself in the hearts of the
|lneI5ndon audience.
pity, Cecile sat in stunned silence amid
rs. applause which followed-a sill
ice which remained unbroken by her
Impanion.
"Zanta" was to appear again later
ISIS the evening. She waited eagerly
|Of n the arrival of the number, a vague
|mstar filling her heart. 1t seemed years
br her before the lights were again
Vas xtinguished and the calciums flooded
49, lie stage. round of applause greet.
W" the second appearance of the dan
parser.
At that moment messenger en-
,,red the box and handed Hubert a
illded paper With trembling fingers
ehle tore it open, Cecile watching his
mes ice in breathless silence. Without a
e o ord he handed her the note Read
|, nj. Cecile," he whispered in happy,
|itv nging voice. 1T can tell you better
os ian ! can" and with a fast beating
cart she opened it and read:
Dear Hubert-Fiye years ago left
tou. l was mad-jealously madl
- annot tell you what my life since
w =. len has been-nothing but sorrow
vi nd bitter atonement. But yet l was
mo ne to you-with all my heart and
LA pull. for love you! All, you do not
|ySi now! am to appear again this
81 vening. If you still love me, and as
an sign of your forgiveness, throw me
he flower which you wear upon your
oat. 1t will"
Cecile dropped the paper with a low,
Ir liter cry. The dance was ended and
Zanta" was making her last sweep
Is, ng bow. As in a dream Cecle saw
' er companion arise. In his hand was
! single rose. Bending his head he
S ressed his lips upon it, then flung it
Jpon the stage, where it fell fluttering
|lr t the feet of the dancer.
With a glad cry "Zanta" snatched
from the floor to her lips, her dark
' yes flashing in her joy and excite
lit Rent Then, amid storm of APP
| 8 Ilause, she tripped from the stage.
he Cecile, her face white and drawn,
urned to her companion. "She is
she is?" he faltered in a faint voice.
yes" he whispered, sudden light
" Illuminating his face, she is"--he
Is paused and added softly-"my wife"
Ii And the flame OF one woman's hap.
" piness went out