The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-01
CINDERELLA.

Scene: The tastefulIy furnished little salon of Mime. de Noircourt-'the beauti- ful Mime. de Noircourt," as she has been called so long that she Is loath to give up the fiattering title, which IS daily pe- coming less obvious and appropriate
 Enter the butler. ushering Nj. dc Rancy' one of the fair widows most devoted ao- mirers.
 The Butler-Madame is not at home, but she will return shortly. She has charged me to respectfully beg or mon sieur that he will be good enough to SUD ject himself to the inconvenience Of walt ing a few minutes.
 De Rancy tmuch amused by this dip. lomatfc language)-very well Joseph. will wait--an hour if necessary.
 Joseph goes out. The caller walks about the room. stopping before each mirror to adjust his craVat or give a final touch to his rnustache Then ne throws himself into an arm-chaT ana picks up the latest novel.l
 Gisele (entering abruptly and pausine in dtsmay on seeing De Rancy)-On! 1 beg pardon. monsieur. did not know
 Rancy tspringing to his feet and bow. you. mademoiselle.
 Gisele {pleasantly)--Oh, you did not frfghtsn me. only-I had no idea of find ing anybody here.
 body to present himself. Monsieur de Rancy, at your service!
 Gisele tquickly)--Oh yes. l know:
 Rancy-Oh, you know who am! Then my presence surely need not prevent your getting what you seek-for you came for something l suppose.
 Gtseie-Yes That little Dresden vase just behind you. l want it for my flow CTS.
 hancy-You are preparing surprise for some one (Tenta.isely.D For your aunt ?
 Gisele Gin evident astonishment)-My
 Eancv-Yes Mn1a de Noircourt
 Gisele (rather sadly)-Mme. de Noir- court is not my aunt. She Is my mother.
 Rancy lstupefed)-You don't!
 Gisele-I, too, must introduce myself for you evidently don't know who l am Giseie de Noircourt, aged 19 at your ser, vice. By a singular fatality, escapet from the convent this very morning. but due to return tonight. You seem sur
 Rancd We'll rather!
 Gisela7Oidn't you know mamma had
 Rancy tpulling himself together)--Ye-es That is to say, to certain extent
 Gisele (laughing)-'To a certain ex. tent" is good! Never mind polite ffbs If that no one else did so. The precautions were too we'll taken.
 Rancy-I don't understand.
 Gisele-Oh. cannot explain it in de- tall. It would be too painful. to me, and not particularly interesting to you.
 Rancy-But 1t would, assure you Tell mel Why not? I divine that you have a secret sorrow-a crushing one. Oi course, I, as a total stranger. have nc right to ask what it is, yet cannot helT thinking that our meeting is destined tc have conseqC qCences-it has, at least, SC cured you a devoted friend
 GiseIe-So soon?
 Rancy-Do you doubt your power?
 Gise1e-Such compliments are quite be yond me. monsieur. don't know wha to say to them-as mamma does.
 Rancy-Oh. does she? Gisele--What does she say to prett. things like that?
 Rancy-How should I know?
 Gfsele-Oh, I am well informed, very I do not go out much, it is true, but have friends who go a little into society and a goodsdeal into family circles. where they hear thfngs-friends who are no extinguished by their parents. Througf them I know that you are one of-hoy shall I express it? One of mammals '.fiirts." think the v call it. That is ths right word iBn't itE
 Rancy-Well! Wen! It would seem that convent walls do not keep out gossip Now, in the first place, there is not ont word of truth in this particular piece oi gossip and, in the second place, as i concerns your mother. you ought not
 Gisele (very grawely)-Monsieur, I low, m mother as much as she lets me. lore and respect h:r. But though coul6 not, harbor for aEl instant the slightest s,sn icion derogatory to her. I am quite sure of one thing--t a woman canno be at once very uiotheriy and very co. Ranc,' (surprised,-This sounds like