The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-01-11
THE HEART OF PEARLS I


)
finished the queens song in the opera
"Peau dine" at the Gaity theater.
tn, 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-
complshed singer, buo for this en-
gagcmcnt the famous Olympia, who
had sung in grand opera over Europe
and America, had been secured. a. she
happened TO be in Paris at the time
with no other engagement. AS usual,
when her name appeared on the bill,
the house was packed by an enthusias-
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 unrecognizcd
sectors, had made her as famous as her
beautiful voice and charming person
ality.
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 n 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 irrcproachable, and that she
kept the scores of adorcrs constantly
rotating about her, at "A respectful dis
tance.
When the song ended the queen re-
tired to throne TO receive the homage
OF the subjects Of the play. 1t was
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
:oom for the next. The queen always
watched with interest these obscure
and awkward subjects Of hers, wonder
ing what different feelings, what
stiiled l0ngings and discouraged ambi-
tons, lay beneath the brilliant clothes,
One among the number had excited her
interest and her sympathy He seemed
different from the others his bearing
was digniicd, bis face refined, his man
ners perfect. Arrived before her, he
would sweep her n bow like II grand
seigncur, fixing upon her eyes in whose
expression she read profound admira-
ton and deep melancholy mingled.
That he had suffered some misfortune
she felt NJ sure as that he was worthy
of something better than humble part
IN fairy opera.
The mute homage offered her each
night touched her ineNprcssibly, and
abe lougcd TO do something to help the
man, but hcsitatcd to offer, She felt
her heart beat faster nj his approach in
the procession, aud grew alarmed at
the strength OF her own feelings.
Tonight, when the play was over,
she pointed him out to the manager,
"Nho is that man. she asked.
"A poor fellow named Chatc,aiu," re-
piled the manager, There are hum
drcds like him, Going this kind Of work
for three francs a day"
The manager was mistaken. His
"poor Chutclain" was in reality a Span
ish gentleman named Juan Rodriguez
de Pcuatlor. Born in Madrid raised IN
the midst Of luxury, he had inherited
OF his parents death an enormous for.
tune. Through bad management and
extravaganza, this had gradually been
reduced, until only n small part re-
manned. This Juan thought TO use in
The only way he knew as q means Of re-
dcemingth the whole, at the gaming table
and here he lost all that was left TO
BIN.
Ills uncle, the only remaining rela.
tive, closed his door to 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 Here scarce, and
after trying many things, he had drift
eG into the opera chorus, easily obtain.
ing the position on account OF very
fair tenor voice. Proud Of his old fam
fly name, he had changed II for that OF
Chatcluin.
II was at this time and under these
circumstances that he fen in love with
Olympia. The very hopclessncss % his
passion dccpcncd ~, and he worshipcd
her MS a Greek might have worshiped
goddess. II was through bis love that
the greatest temptation Of bis life came
80 him.
On one Of the most frcqueHtcd boule-
wards in a jewelers. window he had no.
ticed an exquisite piece Of Jewelry-a