The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-04-27

with a chill in his voice. Anything
particular on hand?'
'Lohengrin. The elders are to cal
for me. They were so sorry they coulC
not include you in the invitation, but
their box only holds six, and they haC
invited the Rickartts and Jack Pin
gree before they thought Of me-
Pingree was in the atmosphere. The
rcd morocco box grew heavier against
Tcddy's bosom every moment al
though It held nothing more ponderons
than a glittering Jewel for a slim
white finger
II should not have cared to 90 under
any circumstances he said Ian.
uilly, and applied himself in silence
90 his soup
Annabers airy assumption Of jeal-
ousy Jared on him.
"No. never could educate you mp
I 10 opera. You would much rather 70
10 see that horrid creature in short
skirts and satin slippers, l presume.
| Nellie Glider says half the men in
town are raying over La Cigale. Dis
gustlng!"
La Cigale Is, l believe. the idol Of
the music halls for the hour; but ! had
not thought Of going to see her to-
night"
He did not care to tell her that he
thought Of spending the anniversary
Of her birthday quietly at home. with.
perhaps, the little ones treated to
whole evening dow stairs-so far, the
most exciting function they had ever
participated in Yates had an old
fashioned streak in him which Anna.
bel had not yet educated him out Of.
But Of what he had intended doing he
said never a word.
Then the Gilders came and Annabel
went So did he. later on. after sulk-
ing over a good cigar made bitter by
unpleasant reflections Life had its
compensations. he supposed. and in
watching La Cigale's wonderful per-
formances he could find distraction, II
nothing better.
When he entered the crowded music
hall he had In HIS hands a big bunch
Of roses not unlike those which Jack
Pingree had sent TO Mrs. Yates earlier
in the evening. To the stem Of the
center rose was tied a ring-an Divine
set about with diamonds. At a care
fully selected moment roses and Jewel
fell at La Cgale's pirouetting feet.
Later on he stood on the curbstone.
waiting for an upward bound car. he
flung the red morocco case into an
ash receiver. He laughed unpleasant.
ly as It left HIS hand. As a peacemak-
er the Divine ring had miscarried.
Nothing so slow-moving as a street
car could contain La Cigale and her
that night. With a long,
dark ulster buttoned closely over her
gaudy stage costume. she went home
in state in a cab The dancer had
come into a fortune. An In
aXhaustible fortune, tied to the stem
of a rose.
After the cabman had deposited her
on the sidewalk Of a shabby cross
town street, she had still quite a jour
ney to make before she was really at |
home.
at home" in a stuify little fat at
he top Of a five-story tenement house.
AZ home after she had opened the door
very softly and tiptoed in her
.pangled slippers. up TO lounge
planted in front Of her one window so
hat the stars could shine in upon IT,
A sitting smell of kerosene oil filled
he small room. La Cigale turned the
amp mp higher and bent over the
OUNCE In a voice as soft as a cooling
loves she called a name:
tom" then passing a caressing
and over the head Of the sleeper, she
melt by his side Tom. dear. wake
10. I've got something great TO tell
GU"
A hand went out 10 meet hers.
I'm not asleep, Katy. I was just
wing here thinking what a cussed bur.
en- I was on the best Of wives 1t
.ould have been better for you II the
illing brick that dashed enough lime
} my eyes TO put them out. had fallen
o my skull instead and knocked my
rains out"
Now You are talking like a fool, :
ON. and I've a great notion not to tell :
pm my good news"
Salary raised?' :
la Cigale got up from her knees
I'm q gay laugh.
Better than that But I shan't tell
lu another thing until I have fixed
upper ! expect you are starved, and c
know am
From an inner cnbby-hole. which by 4
urtosy was called the other room.
Cigale emerged presently. a sweet,
.mure-looking young matron. in