Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-04-11

| lGIL I0C DdIOuNhCs hO NCsNNAe-@A
NAMED on his box, and the three other
coachmen remained on theirs.
A shadow in long black cloak and
a soft black felt hat passed along the
pavement between the Rotunda and
the carriages, examined the barouche
carefully, went up to the horses and
the coachman and then moved away
without saying a word. The magis-
trate afterward believed that this
shadow was that OF the Vicomte Raoul
de Chagny; but do not agree, see
ing that that evening, as every eve
ming, the Vicomte de Chagny was
wearing a tall hat, which hat, be-
sides. was subsequently found. ! am
more inclined to think that the shadow
was that OF the ghost, who knew all
about the whole affair, as the reader
! will soon perceive.
They were giving Faust, as 1t hap
pened. before splendid house. The
Faubourg was magnihcently repre-
sented; and the paragraph in that
mornings Epoque had already pro-
duced its effect, for all eyes were
turned to the box in which Count
Philippe sat alone, apparently in a
very Indifferent and careless frame OF
mind. The feminine element in the
brilliant audience seemed curiously
puzzled: and the viscount's absence
gave rise to any amount OF whisper
ing behind the fans. Christine Daae
met with rather cold reception. That
special audience could not forgive her
for aiming so high.
The singer noticed this unfavorable
attitude Of a portion of the house and
was confused by 1t.
The regular frequenters OF the
opera, who pretended to know the
truth about the viscount's love-story,
exchanged significant smiles at GER
tain passages IN Margarita's part; and
they made show OF turning and look
ing at Philippe de Chagny's box when
Christine sang:
wish / could but know who was he
That addressed me,
II he was noble. or, at least. what his
name 70, IA
The count sat with his chin ON his
hand and seemed to pay no attention
to these manifestations. He kept his
eyes fixed on the stage; but his
| thoughts appeared to be far away.
Christine lost her self-assurance
more and more. She trembled. She
felt on the verge OF breakdown.
/. Carolus Fonta wondered II she
was Ill, II she could keep the stage un-
til the end Of the Garden Act, In
the front Of the house, people rernem-
bered the catastrophe that had be-
fallen Carlotta at the end OF that act
and the historic "co-ack" which had
momentarily interrupted her career
In Paris.
Just then, Carlotta made her en-
trance in a box facing the stage, a
sensational entrance. Poor Christine
raised her eyes upon this fresh sub
ject of excitement. She recognized
her rival. She thought she saw a
sheer on her lips. That saved her.
She forgot everything, in order to
triumph once more.
From that moment the prima donna
sang with all her heart and SOUL She
tried to surpass all that she had done
till then; and she succeeded. In the
last act when she began the invoca-
ton to the angels, she made all the
members OF the audience feel as
though they too had wings.
In the center of the 'amphitheater
a man stood up and remained stand.
ing, facing the singer. 1t was Raoul.
Holy angel, in heaven blessed
And Christine, her arms out
stretched, her throat filled with music,
the glory Of her haiy falling over her
bare shoulders, uttered the divine cry:
Ny spirit longs with thee to restl"
1t was at that moment that the
stage was suddenly plunged IN dark
ness. 1t happened 90 quickly that the
spectators hardly had time to utter .
sound Of stupefaction. for the gas at
once lit up the stage again. But
Christine Daae was no longer there!
What haa become Of her? What
was that miracle? All exchanged
glances without understanding. and
the ezcitsmept Gt once reached its
height. Nor was the tension any less
great ON the stage ftsef Mem rushed
from the wings 10 the spot where
Christine had bean singing that very
instant. The performances was inter
v,,n4aA asnAA tha revaahnanA, alfnorNAr 81
Where hat ChFsstans goge3 what
witchcraft hid spatcRed her away be-
fore the eyes Of thousands Of en-
thpsiastie onlookera and from the
arms of Carolua FontA himself! II
was as though the angels had really
carried her Up ''to rest"
Raoul. stili standing mp in the am
phitheater, had uttered q cry. Count
Philippe had sprung to his feet In his