The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-11

struggle. Pietro had not finished his
training, and therefore no one knew
him or cared about him. At last he OBJ
nor theater with small pay, which he
eked out BY giving lessons in few
third-rate schools, not daring to refuse
anything that offered, for Pierrette's
sake And she had grown to be nine
years old and the delight of his eyes.
..Oh, if I could but get a hearingt" he
would sometimes groan; 4 know /
could make them listen"
But ten years is a long time to wait.
Pietro had entirely given UP hope, his
sunny Italian nature was quite broken,
and he only wondered how much longer
he could hold out for his child's sake
Only yesterday Pierrette could not
sleep for thinking of Veicve JOurdain's
terrible words. In the morning she had
crept out across the busy boulevard
and had wandered along for hours in a
dream. AT last she came to the little
garden near the Tour Saint Jacques,
and here she sank down on bench.
Presently two ladies met opposite her
and began to laugh and talk. R1efretLe
could hear all they said.
by the bye" observed one, is Al
varez singing at the opera tonight. Z!
.'Oh, no. said the other. Don't you
know? There is a very large reception
at the Duehesse de DIS, and Al
varez never misses going to her house.
You know 1t was through her 1ntiu-
ence that he made his name. He was
quite poor and friendless when she
Duchesse is sure to succeed She has
such a good heart and so much in
huenee-"
ought not to have forgotten that. Ave
nue. du Bots de Boulogne she lives, |
doesn't she?"
yes. No. IS, it is quite a palace, and |
her musical evenings are renowned |
-
ling. her chest heaving with a sudden |
inspiration. She must see this Ouch |
esse; she must. beg her to save her
There was a brilliant assembly that |
evening in the Duchesse's salons. The
Duchesse stood in the first salon, hand
some unusually tall and of COM
rnanGing presence. She wore q velvet
gown. and diamonds sparkled in her
hair.
Suddenly there was an unusual stir,
the sound of angry voices rose above
the hum of conversation. and then the
sight was seen of a lit
tie bareheaded, badly clad girl running
into the room, hotly pursued by a pow
dered lackey.
glanced round the room. Then her
quick perception understood at once
which was the Duchesse. With
bound she was at her feet "Oh, mad
anne. hear me! Do not let them take
me away! Only you can save my
sather--"
Jean. what does this mean?" inter
-upted the Duchesse. sternly turning to
the servant.
The man Redeemed and looked thor
Oughly confused.
MADAME la Duchesse, this child
slipped behind the concierge" he
stamnered land ran up the great
stairv-av before She could be STONED.
Every door was open, and she ran 50
fast that she reached the ante-room
before we saw her"
1T was unpardonably careless" said
he Duchesse- Il am exceedingly dis
pleased. No, wait a moment" as the
nan advanced toward Pierrette.
What have you to say for yourself ~
The added, turning to the child.
Then Pierrette forgot the crowd, and
he dazzling lights, and all her fear,
md, lifting her eager eyes to the |
)uchesse's face, she told her simple
tory. thinking of nothing now but herf
Lesire to save her father.
The LADIES' say you can do everything
he finished. ''Oh, do, please let my poor
What do you think2" said the Ouch ]
sse, turning smiling to her friends; shall
rear this genius play at once? I like
ourage in any form and it is fiattering,
o say the least. to be credited with the
ole OF fairy godmother:
Some Of the ladies looked disdainful, but
10 one cared to contradict a whim of the
Ouchesse. "Oh, I am quite prepared to
he. Then, turning to Jean, who stood {
Waiting, she continued: Take this child
o her home in a cab and bring back her
ather as quickly as possible {
An hour later, when everything was in '
ull swing and Alvarez had sung his best
or his patrOness, there was second stir :
n the salons, for Jean had returned, fol- l
owed by man who would have been
handsome had he not looked so
worm and haggard. But Pietro walked
With a hrmer step than usual, his head /
vas thrown back, his eyes were bright. t
lie carried his beloved fiddle under his 8
rm without a case Like his daughter, /
e had no difficulty in recognizing the /;
)uchesse. He went straight to her and :
owed low. Il have sent for you to hear }
gu play" she said kindly.
Thank YOU replied Pietro. simply, S
hen he added vigorously: 1T is my I
hance come at last :
Then he screwed up his bow, ran his 1
myers across the strings and began to
lay
None of those who were present that =
vening will ever forget the wonderful
errormance which held them speTfDound d
Or nearly half an hour. PietrO played +
nth his whole soul, for he was playing i