The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-02-16
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
THE HEART OF PEARLS |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

"Peau dine" at the Gaity theater.
The climax of the whole piece was this
song of the fairy queens, who appeared
only once during the performance.
The part was usually taken by less ac'
complished singer, but for this en-
gagement the famous Olympia, who
had sung in grand opera over Europe
and America, had been secured, as she
happened to be in Paris at the time
with no other engagement. AS usual,
when her name appeared on the bEli
the house was packed by an enthusiasts.
tic crowd.
In spite of the universal reputation
her talent had won for her, Olympia re.
manned simple and good. She had made
an enormous fortune, which she de.
voted entirely TO her art, and to char.
ity. Her kindness to struggling young
singers and ambitious but unrecognized
actors, had made her as famous as her
beautiful voice and charming person.
atty.
OF Olympia's origin nothing was
known, though there were many stories
circulating about her. The one which
gained most general credence por-
trayed her as a great lady who had
been drawn irresistibly from high po-
sition to the stage. and, thereupon. dis
owned by her family. The only GER
tainty felt about her was that her repu-
tation was irreproachable, and that she
kept the scores of adorers constantly
rotating about her, at respectful dis
lance.
When the song ended the queen re-
tired to a throne TO receive the homage
of the subjects of the play. 1t was a
sumptuous procession which passed be-
fore her in gorgeous costume. Each
subject. as he passed his queen. stopped.
bowed and then moved on to make
room for the next. The queen always
watched with interest these obscure
and awkward subjects of hers, wonder
ing what different feelings, what
stifled longings ana discouraged ambi-
tons, lay beneath the brilliant clothes.
One among the number had excited her
interest aud her sympathy. He seemed
different from the others; his bearing
was dignifed, his face refined his man
ners perfect. Arrived before her, he
would sweep her bow like a grand
seigneur, fixing upon her eyes in whose
expression she read profound admira-
ton and deep melancholy mingled.
That he had suffered some misfortune
she felt as sure as that he was worthy
of something better than II humble part
in fairy opera.
The mute homage offered her each
night touched her ineNpressibly, and
she longed to.do something to help the
man, but hesitated to offer. She felt
her heart beat faster ut his approach in
the procession, and grew alarmed at
the strength of her own feelings.
Tonight, when the play was over,
she pointed him OUT TO the manager.
who is that mani" she asked.
"A poor fellow named Chatenin," re-
Piled the manager. "rhere are hun
dreds like him, doing this kind of work
for three francs day"
The manager was mistaken. His
poor Chatelain" was in reality Span
ish gentleman named Juan Rodriguez
do Penatlor. Born in Madrid, raised in
the midst of luxury, he had inherited
at his parents death an enormous for
tune. Through bad management and
extravaganza, this had gradually been
reduced, until only a small part re-
manned. This Juan thought to use in
the only way he knew as n means of re-
deeming the whole, at the gaming table,
and here he lost all that was left to
him.
His uncle, the only remaining rela-
tive, closed his door 10 the young man
left penniless, through his own folly,
and Juan had come TO Paris, where he
tried TO make living by giving lessons
in Spanish. But pupils were scarce, and
after trying many things, he had drift
ed into the opera chorus, easily obtain
ing the position on account of very
fair tenor voice. Proud of his old fam
lily name, he had changed it for that of
Chatelain.
1t was at this time and under these
circumstances that he fell in love with
Olympia, The very hopelessness of his
passion deepened it, and he worshiped
her as a Greek might have worshiped a
goddess. 1t was through his love that
the greatest temptation of his life came
to him.
On one of the most frequented boule-
wards in jewelers. window he had no.
ticed an exquisite piece of jewelry-a
heart of pearls, and from the moment
his eyes fell upon 1t he had longed to
possess it in order TO present it to his
queen, as token of his alteration.
He knew he could never tell her of his
love, and he longed 70 lay some visible
token at her shrine. In former days he
would have thought nothing of pur-