The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-01-13

The HEART OF PEARLS


A LOUD burst Of applause greeted
~ the famous singer Olympia as she
nnished the queen ..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 less ac-
conplished singer, but for this en-
eagement the famous Olympia, who
had sung in grand opera over Europe
and America, mad been secured, as 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-
NotoC entirely TO her art, and to char
iiy. Her kindness TO struggling young
singers and ambitious but unrecoguized
actors, had made her rs famous as her
beautiful voice and charming person
ulity.
OF Olympia's origin nothing was
known. though there were many stories
circulating about her. The one which
gained most general Credonce por-
traytd her as Il great lady who had
been drawn irresistibly from high po-
sition TO the stage, and, lhereupon, dis
owned by her family The only GER
g.I 10,
tation was irreproachable, and that she
kept the scores of adorers constantly
rotating about her, at respectful dis
tance.
When the song ended the queen re-
tired TO Il throne TO receive the homage
of the subjects of the play. 1t was Il
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 and discouraged ambi-
tions, Jay beneath the brilliant clothes.
One among the number had excited her
interest ard her sympathy. lie seemed
different from the others; his bearing
was dignfed, 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 than humble part
in fairy opera.
The mute homage offered her each
night touched her inexpressibly, and
she longcd 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 Chate,ain," re-
piled the manager. There are hum
dreds like him, doing this kind of work
for three francs day"
The manager was mistaken. His
''poor Chatelain" was i'm reality Span
ish gentleman named Juan Rodriguez
de Penafor. 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 n small part re-
manned. This Juan thought to use in
the only way he knew as means of re-
deeming the whole, at the gaming table,
him.
His 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 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 il 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 Greek might have worshiped n
goddess. 1t was through his love that
the greatest temptation of hislife came
TO him.
On one. of the most frequented boule-
wards in jewelers. window he had no.
ticed an exquisite piece of jewelry-a