St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-04-23

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ters OF a profession that taxed more than
the strength and endurance OF man.
One night on an impulse not to be
she dropped him a rose as he
passed her box in the brave attire OF
Romeo, and for feeting moment the
great dreamy eyes, now alight with emo
ton, met his own. Dared he interpret
the meaning lying in their modest
depths? And was this feeling awakened
by the Inflated Romeo, the subtle art OF
the actor, or the man himself, who stood
behind it all? Sweeter homage the art
ist had never known.
So the brief season waxed and waned.
and hurried to its close; spring BIOS
somed about the little city by the sea,
but, caught in the current OF an over
mastering desire, he heeds nothing, anu
lives for the hour, for the night, wnen
like star in the heavens she Uses De-
fore his longing sight
He no longer taxes himself with the
folly, the madness, the indulgence OF
hopeless passion, romance that must
ever remain unfinished. He deems ner
a divinity worthy his worship, oeaull-
full dream that has been revealed 10 MN
for a fleeting moment in his meteorlc
career. He can love as Ruy Bias loveo'
with tenderness, exaltation, and cell
cate homage that asks no return, ano
dies happy so that it be in her cause.
But one night a change came Ger the
spirit of his dream; during the second
act a stranger, man Of fine command
ing presence, enters the box, and seats
himself beside her, with, an air OF calm
possessiveness which at once attracts
his attention; the girl turns smillngly
and gives her hand, allows herself 10 DC
diverted from the play for moment.
The blood burns hot in his veins,
wave of jealousy surges over nlm' Nc
is not so DISTINGUISHED after all, his ex-
allied sentiment receives sudden cneck.
He watches him covertly all the even
ing. the affectionate familiarity OF MS
manner. his exasperating air OF owner
shin. or so it seems to his excited senses.
Who is this man, by what right does ne
usurp her attention when 1t shouio DC
conferred on the play; he resents MS
presence with all lovers inconsequert
passion, yet what claim has he upon het
thoughts, her sentiments, her favor!
Once he meets the eye OF the stranger,
fiercely. haughtily, Questioningiy, ana
a puzzled look fits over the race OF the
man: then he turns to his companion
and laughingly whispers in her ear. Inc
actor stung by passion he cannot con-
troll, gives it free rein, and for the Tune
he is scarce master OF himself; Out 70
the listening audience there Is no token
that a play within a play, real oe-
meath a mimic passion, are being enact
ed on the lighted stage; he outdoes MN
self, SO they say.
He has not the smallest right to more
than her passing interest, such entnusl-
asm as all may show the artist, ne tens
himself with unsparing scorn; YET THIS
he knows. though another may aspire
to her hand, win her heart, for many
weeks she has obeyed his slightest DID.
ding-he has known her as none otnel
could hope to do.
She has laughed at his witty saliles
. wept at his mimic woes, thrilled at MI
romance and daring adventure, re
vealed to him her maiden heart IN al
it's warmth, purity and unconsc1ousness
To her it has not been mere play, q
tn so many others; passing pleasure
lightly won, easily forgotten; 1t ma
been the awakening OF her Wnole nd
ture.
He NAV never enter her life, claim he
affections: like bird of passage q
! came. and as one he must go, 1t Is nj
fate: but they have lived these las
thrilling memorable weeks together
2 and It is his hand, cot another's, tina
has knocked insistently at the portal
Of her heart. She is his by the sacre
right of discovery, and opportunlt
given he could win and hold her aga1ns
= the world.
So the last night came, and the CON
nanv took its farewell OF the now famil
! lar audience in stirring performance
Of Camille" that hackneyed play whic
. has wrung the hearts OF sympathet1
womankind since its initial night.
surrounded by bevy OF youthf1
g companions Stirling watches her for tn
last time, as he believes; and wondel
q if a pang of regret turks beneath ht
n pleasure for the enchanted nights tn;
. are now no more; the nameless romano
drawing to its close.
= None could tell how It happened.
le seemed but the work OF moment; II
a fiery Armand in burst OF passion na
re flung his gold at the feet OF the falntlr
&c Camille. when there came smell
, smoke, a watt of fame from behind II
J? scenes, terrible cry from the aud
le ence, and then-panic.
$, In vain Armand sought to reassu
IL them by his own calm courage, held o
N his hands in mute appeal, for the dal
ger was less from fire than flight; D
N for few breathless moments terri
Or reigned supreme.
lie He turned instinctive1y to the sta
st box. from which the girls had fed
the first alarm, like frightened pa
= tridges: she stood alone and erect, b
er male and trembling, as one who awal
n certain doom He sprang to her FL
10 holding out his arms. Come sa
- simply: and catching up the slender bu
ar den bore her through devious ways q
% hack passages, out into the open
';s So thew met, and when least looked
Fate relaxed her grim visage and smil
or upon him.
Strange to relate, the accident prov
- less disastrous than at first feared, q
~ the fire promptly quelled, restored ca
M