Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-04-24


revive his hope. The somber picture
which he had for moment imagined
OF Christine forgetting her duty to
herself made way for his original con-
ception Of an unfortunate. innocent
child, the victim of imprudence and
exaggerated sensibility. To what ex-
tent, at this time, was she really
victim? Whose prisoner was she?
Into what whirlpool had she been
dragged? He asked himself these
questions with a cruel anguish but
even this pain seemed endurable be-
side the frenzy into which he was
thrown at the thought Of a lying and
deceitful Christine. What had hap
pened? What influence had she IN
dergone? What monster had carried
her of and by what means?
By what means indeed but that of
music? He knew Christine's story.
After her fathers death, she acquired
a distaste of everything in life, in
Guiding her art, She went through
the conservatism like a poor souIless
singing machine. And, suddenly, she
awoke as though through the inter
vention of a god. The Angel of Music
appeared upon the scenei She sang
Margarita in Faust and triumphed!
The Angel of Music, For
three months the Angel Of Music had
been giving Christine lessons. i.
All he was punctual singing master!
And now he was taking her
for drives in the BoisI
Raouls fingers clutched at his flesh,
above his jealous heart In his mex
perience, he now asked himself with
terror what game the girl was play
ing? Up to what point could an op-
era-singer make a fool of a good-nat-
o misery! ..
Thus did RaouPs thoughts fly from
one extreme TO the other He no
) longer knew whether to pity Christine
or to curse her; and he pitied and
cursed her turn and turn about. AZ
all events, he bought a white domino
The hour of the appointment came
at last. With his face in a mask
trimmed with long, thick lace, looking
like a pierrot in his white wrap, the
viscount thought himself very ridicu-
Ious Men of the world do not go to
the opera ball in fancy-dress! 1t was
absurd. One thought, however. con-
soled the viscount: he would certain
iy never be recognized!
This ball was an exceptional affair,
given some time before ShrOvetide. in
honor of the anniversary of the birth
of a famous craftsman; and it was
expected to be much gayer, noisier.
more Bohemian than the ordinary
masked ball. Numbers of artists had
arranged to so, accompanied by
whole cOhort of models and pupils,
who, by midnight, began to create
tremendous din Raoul climbed the
grand staircase at five minutes to
twelve, did not Iinger to look at the
motley dresses displayed all the way
up the marble steps, one of the rich
est settings in the world, allowed no
faCetious mask TO draw him into a
war of wits, replied to no jests and
shook off the bold familiarity of a
number Of couples who had already
become a trifle too gay. Crossing the
big crush-room and escaping from a
mad whirl of dancers in which he was
caught fCT a moment. he at last en-
tered the room mentioned in Chris
tines letter. He found it crammed:
for this small space was the point
where all those who were going to
supper in the Rotunda crossed those
who were returning from taking a
glass Of champagne. The fun, here,
waxed fast and furious.
Raoul leaned against a door-post
snd waited. He did not wait long. A
slack domino passed and gave a quick
squeeze to the tips of his fingers. He
understood that it was she and fol
lowed her:
is that you, Christine?" he asked.
between his teeth.
The black domino turned round
promptly and raised her finger to her
lips, no doubt to warn him not to
mention her name again. RaouI con-
tinued to follow her in silence.
He was afraid of losing her, after
meeting her again in such strange
circumstances. His grudge against
her was gone. He no longer doubted
that she had nothing to reproach
herself with" however peculiar and
ineXplicable her conduct might seem.
He was ready to make any display
of clemency. forgiveness or cowardice.
He was in love. And, no doubt, he
would soon receive a very natural ex-
PLANTATION of her curious absence.
The black domino turned back from
time to time to see If the white dom
inc was still following
AS RaouI o-.ce more passed through
the great crush-room. this time in the
wake Of his guide. he could not help
noticing a group crowding round d
person whose disguise. eccentric air
and g>uesome appearance were caus-
ing a sensation. II was a man dressed
all in scarlet, with a huge hat and
feathers on the top of a wonderful
&eath'x head. From his shoulders hung
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