Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-03-15
no Angel of Music"

But then what is 1t, IN heaven 6
name? You will be the death Of me-!
There Is a terrible mystery around
us, madame, around you. around
Christine, a mystery much more to be
feared than any number of ghosts OF
genii!"
Mamma Valerius turned terrified
face to Christine, who had already
run to her adopted mother and was
holding her in her arms.
Don't believe him, mummy, don't
believe him. she repeated.
Then tell me that you will never
leave me again." implored the widow
Christine was silent and Raoul re-
sumed.
THAT is what you must promise
Christine. 1t is the only thing that
can reassure your mother and me. We
will undertake not to ask you single
question about the past, if you prom.
Use us to remain under our protection
in future"
"That is an undertaking which !
have not asked of you and promise
which I refuse to make you!" said the
young girl haughtily. II am mistress
of my own actions, NJ. de Chagny; you
have no right to control them, and l
will beg you to desist henceforth. As
to what l have done during the last
fortnight, there is only one man in
the world who has the right to de-
mand an account of me: my hus-
band! Well, l have no husband and
I never mean to marry"
She threw out her hands to EN-.
phasize her words and Raoul turned
pale, not only because of the words
which he had heard, but because he
had caught sight of a plain gold ring
on Christine's finger.
"You have no husband and yet you
wear wedding-ring.'
He tried to seize her hand, but she
swiftly drew 1t back.
That's a present." she said, blush.
ing once more and vainly striving to
hide her embarrassment
christine! AS you have no hus.
band, that ring can only have been
given by one who hopes to make you
his wife! Why deceive us further?
Why torture me still more? That
ring is a promise; and that promise
has been accepted"
That's what said!" exclaimed the
old lady
and what did she answer, mad
ame?"
What chose" said Christine.
driven to evaporation. Don't you
think, monsieur, that this cross.exam-
ination has lasted long enough? AS
far as l am concerned y
Raoul was afraid to let her finish
her speech. He interrupted her:
~ beg your pardon for speaking as
did, mademoiselle. You know the
good intentions that make me NEEDLE.
just now. in matters which, you no
doubt think. have nothing to do with
me. But allow me to tell you what l
have seen-and have seen more than
you suspect, Christine--or what
saw. for, to tell you the truth. have
sometimes been inclined to doubt the
evidence or my eyes.
Well. what did you see, sir, or
think you saw"
II saw your ecstasy at the sound
of the voice, Christine; the voice that
came from the wall or the next rooms
to yours yes. your ecstasy!
And that is what makes me alarmed
on your behalf. You are under very
dangerous spell And yet it seems that
you are aware OF the imposture. be.
cause you say today that there is no
Angel of Music! In that case, Chris
tine, why did you follow him that
time? Why did you stand up, with
radiant features. as though you were
really hearing angels? All. 1t
is very dangerous voice, Christine.
for l myself, when heard it. was so
much fascinated by it that you van
ished before my eyes without my see.
ing which way YOU passed! Chris
tine, Christine, in the name OF heaven,
in the name OF your father who is in
heaven now and who loved you so
dearly and who loved me too, Chris
tine, tell us, tell your benefactress
and me, to whom does that voice be-
long? If you do, we will save you in
spite Of yourself. Come. Christine.
the name OF the man! The name OF
the man who had the audacity to put
ring on your finger!'
m. de Chagny." the girl declared
coldly. you shall never KNOW
Thereupon, seeing the hostility
with which her ward had addressed
the viscount, Mamma Valerius sud.
denly took Christmas part.
And, If she does love that man,
monsieur lie vicomte. even then 1t Is
no business of yours!'
"Alas, madame" Raoul humbly re.
piled, unable to restrain his tears,
''alas, l believe that Christine really
does love him! But 1t Is not
only that which drives me to despair:
for what am not certain of, madame,
is that the man whom Christine loves
is worthy OF her love-
1T is for me to be the Judge OF
that, monsieur said Christine. look
ing Raoul angrily in the face.
when a man." continued Raoul.
adopts such romantic methods to en-
tice young girls affections :"
THE man must be either villain,
or the girl fool; is that it?'
"Christine?"
"Raoul, why do you condemn a man
whom you have never seen, whom no
one knows and about whom you your
self know nothing?"
Yes, Christine. Yes. {.