The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-01-13
THE HEART OF PEARLS

S>N>N
IA the famous singer Olympia as she
finished the queens song in the opera
"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 a less &C,
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 10 other engagement. AS usual,
when her name appeared on the bill.
the house was packed by an enthusiast
tic crowd.
In spite of the universal reputation
her talent had won for her, Olympia re-
manned simple and good. She had made
an fortune, which she de-
voted entirely TO her art, and to char
ity. Her kindness to struggling young
singers and ambitious but u~nrecognized
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 a high po-
sltion 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 adoTers constantly
rotating about her, at a 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 u
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
for the next. The queen always
watched with interest these obscure
and awkward subjects of hers, wonder
ing what different feelings, what
stitled lorgings and discouraged ambi-
tiOns, lay beneath the brilliant clothes.
One among the number had excited her
interest and her sympathy. He seemed
different from the others; his bearing
vas dignified, his face refined, his man
ners perfect. Arrived before her. he
would sweep her n 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 thar a humble part
in a fairy opera.
The mute homage offered her each
night touched her inexpressibly. and
she longed to DO something TO help the
man. but hesitated to offer. She felt
her heart beat faster at 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 man." she asked.
"a poor fellow named Chatelain," re-
piled the manager. There are hun
dreds like him, doing this kind of work
for three francs a day"
The manager was mistaken. His
DOtG SHdtSldlH Wis III III d SDdH- |
ish gentleman named Juan Rodriguez
de Pena1or. 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 a means of re-
deeming the whole. at the gaming table,
and here he lost al that was left t.
him.
His uncle, the only remaining rela-
tive, closed his door to the young man
left p~enniless, through his own folly,
and Juan had come to Paris. where he
tried to make a 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 coun of a very
fair tenor voice. Proud of his old fam
fly name, he had changed it for that of
Chatelain.
1t was at this time and under these
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 n
goddess. 1t was through his love that
the greatest temptation of his life came
to him.
On n of the most %frequented boule-
wards in a jewelers. window he had no.
ticed ar exquisite niece Of iewelry-