The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-04
AT A DANCERS FEET.

EOr Lnree years sue naQ lOVeu MIN
years that had been full of both joy
and sorrow; Of happiness and heart
ache. For three long years she had
waited for the words which would
brighten her whole future-just three
little words-"I love you"
why doesn't he speak?" she ques-
toned herself. why doesn't he tell
me that he loves me-" Suddenly she
caught her breath. All | remember
there was something-to-night-he
said he would tell me something-per.
haps." And as she left the room a new
joy shone in her eyes and new hope
dawned in her heart.
AS they entered the box the orches-
ira was playing the soft, sad strains
of a selection from Martha" Cecile
settled herself costly in one of the
most comfortable of the chairs and
Hubert seated himself at her left.
There is new feature for tonight,
Cecile," he said, studying the pro-
gramme, "a dancer-her first appear
ance in London" Cecile glanced at
her bill. What an odd name" she
mused-"Zanta. l wonder who she
is?"
"An Italian, one of the boys at the
club told me. He met her once Said
she was sweet little thing. Her life
story has been a sad one. She was
married, but left her husband-de.
serted him, they say"--his face sud
denly darkened. He bent nearer.
"Cecile," he whispered in a changed
voice, Il told you l had something to
tell you-something about my past
story. Tonight you shall hear it, for
I believe that you, and you only, can
give me the sympathy crave"
The music crashed The theatre
was in darkness. Then a steady blue
light Illuminated the stage and from
the orchestra there fioated strains so
wierd, so strange that Cecile shud-
dered. The audience was in a state
Of breathless expectancy.
Then the wierd lights changed to
rosy hue and there bounded on the
stage little figure clad in shrouds of
fllmy lace. her dark hair falling in
long ringlets about her fair shoulders.
Her dark grand eyes flashed a glance
around the theatre They reached the
lower box-paused-th dancer stag
gered backward, clasping her hands
to her heart.
A low cry at her side caused Cecile
to start toward her companion. He
had half arisen from his place, and
with dilated eyes was gazing at the
dancer With a supreme effort the
dancer collected herself; the music
crashed anew; the lights grew bright
er, and "Zanta," the pet of Italy in
stalled herself in the hearts of the
London audience.
Cecile sat in stunned silence amid
the applause which followed-a sill
ence which remained unbroken by her
companion.
"Zanta" was to appear again later
in the evening. She waited eagerly
for the arrival of the number, vague
fear filling her heart 1t seemed years
to her before the lights were again
extinguished and the calciums flooded
the stage. A round of applause greet.
ed the second appearance of the dan
GER
At that moment a messenger en-
tered the box and handed Hubert
folded paper. With trembling fingers
he tore it open, Cecile watching his
face in breathless silence. Without
word he handed her the note. Read
it, Cecile," he whispered in a happy,
ringing voice. at can tell you better
than ] can," and with fast beating
heart she opened it and read:
Dear Hubert-Five years ago left
you. 1 was mad-jealously madi l
cannot tell you what my life since
then has been-nothing but sorrow
and bitter atonement But yet | was
true to you-with all my heart and
soul, for 1 love you! All, you do not
know! l am to appear again this
evening. If you still love me, and as
sign Of your forgiveness, throw me
the flower which you wear upon your
coat. 1t will"
Cecile dropped the paper with ivy,
bitter cry. Tho dance was ended and
"Zanta" was making her last sweep
ing bow AS in a dream Cecile saw
her companion arise. In his hand was
a single rose. Bending his head he
pressed his lips upon it, then flung it
upon the stage, where it fell fiuttering
at the feet of the dancer.
With a glad cry "Zanta" snatched
1t from the floor to her lips, her dark
eyes flashing in her joy and excite
ment. Then, amid a storm of ap-
plause, she tripped from the stage.
Cecile, her face white and drawn,
turned to her companion. "She is
she ISL" he faltered in faint voice.
YES" he whispered, sudden light
Illuminating his face, "she is"-he
paused and added softly-"my wife,"
And the flame of one woman's hap