Gilpin observer., 1913-06-26
CHAPTER u.
The New Maroarlta.

The New Margarlta.
On the first landing, SoreIli ran
against the Comte de Chagny, who
was coming upstairs.
Il was just going to you," he said,
taking on his hat. "Oh, Sorelli. what
an evening! And Christine Daae:
what triumph!'
"Impossible!" said Meg Giry. six
months ago she used to sing like a
crock! But do let us get by. my
dear count" continues the brat. with
curtsey. I'VE are going to inquire
after poor man who was found hang
ing by the neck"
Just then the acting manager came
fussing past and stopped.
What" he exclaimed. Have you
girls heard already? Well. please for
get about 1t for tonight-and above
all don't let NJ. Debienne and Nj.
Poligny hear; 1t would upset them
too much on their last day"
They all went on to the foyer OF
the ballet which was already full OF
people. The Comte de Chagny was
equaled this one. Faure and krauss
had sung; and. on that evening, Chris
tine Daae had revealed her true self.
for the first time. to the astonished
audience.
The whole house went mad, rising
to its feet. shouting. cheering. clap
ping. while Christine sobbed and
tainted In the arms of her fellowship
ers and had to be carried to her dress
ingroom. A few subscribers, how
ever. protested. Why had SO great a
treasure been kept from them all that
time? Till then, Christine Daae had
played good Siebel to Carlottas,
rather too splendidly material Mar
garita. And 1t had needed Carlotta's
incomprehensible absence from this
gala night for-the little Daae, at a
moments warning. to show all .nat
she could do in a part OF the pro.
gram reserved for the Spanish diva!
The Comte de Chagny. standing up
in his box. listened to all this frenzy
and took part in 1t by loudly applaud
ing. Philippe Georges Marie Comte
de Chagny was Just forty-one years OF
age. He was q great aristocrat and a
good-lookfng man. above middle
height and with attractive features. In
spite Of his hard forehead and his
rather cold eyes. On the death OF
old Count Philibert. he became the
head Of one of the Oldest and most
distinguished families in France,
whose arms dated back to the four
teenth century. His two sisters and
his brother. Raoui. would not hear of
a division and waived their claim to
their shares.
The Comtesse de Chagny, nee de
Moerogis de La Martyniere, had died
In giving birth to Raoul. who was born
twenty years after his elder brother.
Philippe busted himself actively with
the youngsters education. The lad
entered the Borda training-ship. I'm.
tshed his course with honors and
quietly made his trip round the world.
Thanks to powerful influence, he had
Just been appointed q member OF the
official expedition on board the
Requin. which was to be sent to the
Arctic Circle IN search OF the sur
vivors Of the D'Artois expedition. OF
whom nothing had been heard for
three years. He was little over
twenty-one years OF age and looked
eighteen. He had a small, fair mus.
tache. beautiful blue eyes and a com.
plexion like a girls.
On that evening. Philippe. after ap-
plauding the Daae. turned to Raoul
and saw that he was quite pale.
Don't you see." said Raoui, that
the woman's fainting?"
You look like fainting yourself"
said the count. whats the matterY"
But Raoul had recovered himself
and was standing up.
Let's go and see." he said, "she
never sang like that before"
They-were soon at the door leading
from the house to the stage. Raoul
tore his gloves without knowing what
he was doing and Philippe had much
too kind a heart to laugh at him for
his impatience. But he now under
stood why Raoul was absent.minded
when spoken to and why he always
tried to turn every conversation to
the subject of the opera.
They reached the stage and pushed
through the crowd OF gentlemen,
scene-shifters. supers and chorus
girls. Raoul leading the way, feeling
that his heart no longer belonged to
him, his face set with passion, while
Count Philippe followed him with dir.
nculty and continued to smile. The
count was surprised to find that
Haoul knew the way. He had never
taken him to Christine's himself and