Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-28
CHAPTER l. ! I,n
ROy % 9:.T~

The carriage stopped near the en-
trance to the Chatelet theatre.
George Davnelle jumped to the side
walk and assisted bis young wife and
his little girl to alight. Then he began
TO look around, if he was expecting
some one.
In the open space in front of the thea
ire carriages of all Kinds were arriving.
landaus Of aristocrats, hacks belonging
TO the great middle class and carts filed
with country people. Mingling in the
flood Of vehicles were numerous pedes-
TRANS dressed in their Sunday best. hav-
ing come afoot or on the omnibuSes or
the Seine boats.
All this gayly dressed crowd Fastened
toward the doors Of the theatre, while
around them arose the clamor OF hack
drivers. the jingle of bells rung by ven
ders CT COCO "a drink made OF licorice
water and lemon juice, the cries of
orange sellers. the solicitations of ticker
spectators and vendors Of prosrams.
Impatient little Denise ran toward the
theatre. dragging her father and mother
after her.
Tall, elegantly dressed, with a figure
Of a genuine Parisicnre, Clarisse Day-
nellie was more than pretty.
under the evening lights. crowned a
brow as pure as marble, beneath which
shone brown eyes that betrayed her
propensity to melancholy.
George Davnelle. her husband, was
manager Of one of the Partisan agen-
cies of the Universal credit company.
one Of the richest financial concerns in
France, with many branches in all parts
tall
some fellow. about so, of supple figure
and Of distinguished appearance. His
frank face. framed in a closely cropped
beard, bespoke candor and loyalty, and
the manly look of his brilliant eyes at
tracted sympathy and inspired conf
dence.
We'll. there you are at last.'' eX-
claimed sonorous voice behind them
''Rolande was on pins and needles TIL
We saw you"
Davnelle, delighted. grasped the hand
of the newcomer. who was none other
than his bosom friend, Marcel Cartig-
ny. He also affectionately kissed both
cheeks of the pretty little girl who ac-
companied him.
Denise and Rolande Rugged each 9TH
er like two happy children overjoyed to
share the same pleasure. The whole
party soon passed on into the lobby.
BOX &c." said the doorkeeper, tearing
on coupon which he handed to Day.
nellie.
The immense auditorium was already
filled. It was a brilliant scene.
Denise was overJoyed. With her right
hand she pressed the left Of Rolande,
who was no less ezra ptured with the
spectacle. Neither had ever been to the
theatre before.
The delicate pallor Of Denise formed
= striking contrast to the rosy complex
ION of Rolande. They were two charm
ing children. One was white rose,
the other was a tea rose. With big
childish eyes they gazed around them,
admiring everything. yet feeling some
what strange amid their novel sur
roundings. Finally the curtain went
up. Denise and Rolande exchanged a
look which eloquently expressed thei,
joyous anticipatons. They were about
to see that celebrated drama of fairy
land. 1.-The White Cat"
1t is needless to describe 1.-The Whit
Cat, nor is it necessary to say that
the children were captivated by the
gracious sweetness of Blanchctte. WHO
saves the life of the prince. How they
trembled before the heroincs step:noth
Or, the wicked fairy. FioIente. And
when the first act concluded with all the
splendors Of the Land of Jewels. the
children were almost literally in costa
sizes.
Seeing that the curtain did not rise
Immediately. Denise turned to her IA
Their and anxiously inquired:
Dear papa. it isn't over. is it? Q,
hope 1t isn't Overt
mo. my dear. it isn't over" replied
Davnelle, with a smile.
At the close of the second act Dav-
nellie said to his daughter: Il must sc
out and get you some oranges, dearie
When Davnele had gone, Cartigny
looked longingly into Clarisse's eyes
while at the same time shade of sad
ness passed over his face.
"Ah," sighed he, your marriage. Cla-
risse, did not make everybody happy"
Pray do not speak of that" said she
closing her eyes before the intensity
of Marcels gaze.
Marcel, leaning closer. whispered ir
her ear: II loved you, Clarsse, and
you made me forever unhappy"
Monsieur Cartigny. let us change the
conversation. beg of YOU
Forgive me. Clarisse, and permit me
to thank you
THANK me for what, pray?"
For being invited to your box. Ny
motherless child. Rolande, YOU know, i,
the daughter of the woman I married
while. my heart was still yearnng 70,
another. / love Rolande. vet not with
out tinge of sadness. for the sight 81
her always reminds me of the greatest
grief in my life
Clarisse warningly raised her hand.
mo more of this. beg of YOU
Il had to choose one of two alterna-
lives. continued Cartigny, exile OF
death. You made me stay and live
] obeyed. But, Clarisse. there are mo-
apents when strength fails me and
,Asd something to assuage the pain
ct my heart
Clarisse turned deadly pale. Abruptly
oeavfng Cartigny. she took a seat in
ehe front part of the box.
Twenty minutes passed and Dav-
oAI3e had not returned.
s.cWhy doesn't papa come back
asked Denise.
II don't know, dear. don't worry.
said the mother.
Several minutes more elapsed. Nc
Davnclle.
When the curtain rose on the last
act he was still absent.
Clarisse began to lose interest in the