Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-09-25
die. Whiie / live | mean to live at the

close; marvel at her strength and en-
durance, the feverish brilliance, the
wondrous art she displays when the
eyes of the world are upon her.
The last night comes, and ''The Bar
Der of Seville" is given to a crowded
house. In the fascinating role Of
Rosina she sparkles like sunlight,
seems the incarnation of youth and
witchery, while her glorious voice daz-
zles them anew in its soaring sweet
ness and airy bird fights, holds them
under a spell of breathless enchant-
ment.
1t was a supreme triumph; an oeca-
sion to be recalled with beating heart
for many an after year. The house
went mad with enthusiasm, the boxes
rained flowers, the orchestra rose to
her. What more could woman ask or
receive? And ii seemed not simply
homage to the great artist, but per-
sonal pride and affection for the love
ly singer who in sense belonged to
them all.
A two-fold triumph, and one not to
be lightly valued.
Later on Granger sought her out
in her dressing-room, where she had
been holding an informal reception for
over an hour. BY good chance he
found her alone, and willing to receive
him.
"Well-and what have you to say to
me, Frank?" and she turned to him
with a bewildering smile. What man
could remain unmoved by her radiant
beauty at this moment, untouched by
the glamor of her genius?
"Mav-are words of mine needed 20
add to your triumph? Are you not al
ready satiated with fattery, wearied
of homage?" There was sadness in
his tone. a wistful tenderness in his
glance, as though he sought in vain to
trace the lost love of his youth in this
enchantress.
"No, no" vehemently. 81 would
drink the Intoxicating cup to the very
dregs; what woman would not do the
same? Would any woman living have
the courage to refuse this?" and plung-
ing her hand into a bed of roses she
held out to him something that
sparkled, shimmered, and caught the
light-a necklace of diamonds.
He shrank back as though she had
struck him; ..May, my dear girl-you
would not accept this from any man.
No. mo- will not believe it,"
"Not when he offers me heart and
hand as well?" teasingly. "But this is
no romance, my friend, such fOllies are
not for me. Do not exist in these
days, off the stage-but in this world
there are other things to be consid-
cred; luxury, ease, power"
"Who is the man-his name" he
muttered, scarce needing her careless
speech.
She gave him a name well known
to the world of fashion; name that
implied wealth and station, if not
honor and nobility.
"May," he implored, pale with an
guish, "it must not be; would You
sell your youth, your talent your
beauty, your soul, for so pitiful a
price? No. MOI protest against it!
II forbid it,"
"By what right?" she demanded fac
ing him like a creature at bay, pale
with passion, her dark eyes flashing
fire.
For a moment he looked at her, hes
itated, and then without warning
broke loose from the silence and self
command for years, spoke to her in
words that rang as trumpet call,
Weakened the echoes from the van
ished past, overmastered her with
their stirring appeal. "May, by the
right of lifelong love, loyalty that
has survived the shock of treachery,
time and separation; has known no
change throughout the changing
years; the right of one who has lost
and suffered things, and in silence.
Who makes no claim save to guard
YOU from peril and misfortune. Let
me do this, my girl, for the sake Of
the old days, and l promise to go away
and trouble you no more, cast no
shadow on your youth and brilliant
career"
"No. no, Frank" and she leaned
toward him with outstretched hands,
her fair. face TRANSPORTED by emo
ton.
"Stay with me; let me make such
poor atonement for the past as now
can. And if it can be that you love me
still"
He caught her hands in an eager.
clasp, and in that breathless moment
read at last the foolish heart that had
guarded its secret so closely all these
months-Boston Budget.