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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1892-5-19, Page 2Iler Donnels When meetieg-bells liege, is to toll, Wben pious foles began to pan; She dot Ow bled hor bonnet on, Tho little, sober meetlee-lean. ,All her neat, white-ourtaxned room, before her tins looking-glase. So nicely, mend her lady-ohecks, Sao einoothed her bautta of glossy hair, Auct innocently tvondered if Re'.' boanet did not make her far Thee sternly chid her foolish heart for be, her Mg such femoiee there. $o Nemec sho tied the satin strings, Arid set the bows beneath her ohm ; Then einilen to see how sweet she looked; Then thought her vaulty a $in, Arid, she must put ouch thoughts away before the sermon should begin. But sitting neatai the -preached word, Demnroly, lo her fathers pew, She thought about her bonnet still ; Yes, all the parsonn eormon tSirough. About it pretty bows and buds which better than the text she knew. Yet, sitting there with peaneful face, The reflex of her simple soul, She looked to be a very.saint— And maybe was one, on the whole— Only that ber pretty bonnet kept away the aureole. —Mary E. Wilkins. A. BARITONE'S DEVOTION; OR A TALE OF SUNNY ITALY. Buts if all around her believed him to be not on'y guilty of such -a sin, but to be such a contemptible hypocrite es to have sought his own pleasure under the cover of protect- ing his sister, might she not possibly have been i iduced to believe the slander, too ? And, once believed, such a story must in kill love. For a while he sat rapt in the miserable contemplation of this at the bureau ia the hall of one of the hotels thought, then suddenly his mind revolted at Genoa sat speculating to himself as he from the idea of any tzind of distrust in saw the much -talked -of baritone pass into Francesca. No, it was not possIble I She would believe in him against the whole world, would love him forever, not for any merit in himself, but because of the truth and purity and beauty of her own nature. She had been coerced into the marriage with Count Carossa. Again he fell back into the Will you write your name In the visit - weary round of surmises, rejecting each in ors' book, signor?" he said. " Everyone M turn, but always confronted by the terrible the place is looking forward to your appear - realization that, however the marriage had ance to -night; you will see, the theatre will been brought about, it was a fact—a fact be pecked from floor to ceiling! Your full which gave the death -blow to his hope, and name, it you will favor us, signor; the auto. doomed him to on throusth life alone. graph will be valuable." p For he must go on living, and must face Carlo smiled a little at the thought that the thought at once. Indeed, into his simple, healthy mind no thought of death had entered, though most truly life looked to him desolate enough ; but it is in times of great trouble that a good man's real - character is tested, and every dull, monot- onous day of work in Merlino's company had added something to his manly stead- fastness, and gave him power now to go straight on and do his duty without flinch- ing. He brought back his thoughts with an effort to the present—" Rigoletto " that evening, the necessity of dining at once, the fear lest his trouble should at all mar the happiness of Sardoni and Domenica, his best friends, and a resolution to keep the news from them if poesible till their wedding was over. With this thought in his mind he turned to the glass, saw that trouble was very legibly stamped on his face, and re- solved to dine alone at some restaurant, that he might escape observation. On the I yellow motley, meet lieten to the story ohl Eeoamillo, the toreador, with ite green Adainsen had told hiln all over again, velent jacket and Isnickerbookere bead with '' vsrhy sigeor I' exclaimed Sebastian°, Old, browl red -and -gold wish, tau -colored When i}ad finished his tale, 4' see 1 you gaitere, and red flag thrown across the left have put the red stocking on the left leg.tro sheulder. There Was no tiMe to be lest, etead of the yellow one I One Might think and Sardoni began ahrunt'jy. , that you were ia my ease 1" "1 helm jus t been talking .0 yotir sister, Cerlo smiled geod-naturedly, cougratu.' Val. She thought, and I think, too, that laded the drenser again and dismiesed him ; yen ought to be 'prepared beforehand. but when he was alone he bowed his head Count Oerossa and his wife are in the on his hands and set for a long tizne theatre." metionless, overwheleeed by a sense of his an exclamation of wtinder and dismay utter desolation. ' esoaPed Carlo. He began to pace the room The voice of the call -boy roused him from in terrible agitation. his gad thoughts, He wruug his hands " Why did you keep your trouble frorn together, rue, Val ?" said Sardoni, reproachfully. "My God, help mo !" he groaned. "And what, in Heaven's name can have Then taking up his jester's leap with its made any woman forsake a man like you ?" gold coxcomb, he made his way. to :the Carlo turned upon him with a fierce ges- wings and was soon transformed into the ture. malicious, mocking Rigoletto, playing the "Not one word against her !" he cried. part with his customary skill, and receiving "She was free—quite free ! And what am with hie esual quiet modesty tho thunder Ito deserve her, indeed ?—a stage -singer of applause which irewarcled him. with a tarnished reputation !" " What ! You think, thea, it was; that CHAPTER XXXIII. slander ?" ejaculated Sardoni, understand - GENOA. ing better why Carlo had kept all from him during this month, A month passed by. In this outer life Carlo went through the series of farewell "I don't know 1—I can't tell ! For God's Performances at New York, attended Ser. saktendteek, don't talk, or I think I shall go dont's wedding, and travelled bacle to Italy. ma" ' In his inner life he fought a terrible battle Franceeca had married Count Carossa. and came out conqueror. That being so, he must and could learn to No further details of Franeeseaes man. bear the thought. 'Nothing was impossible 1 riege had as yet reached him to relieve his The part of Escamillo though small misery of ignorance and suspense. Appar- suited him admirably, nor 'could any scene, ently both Clare and Enrico shrank from have been better chosen for his reappear - touching ou so difficult a subject, and all ance in Italy than the picturesque entry of he had received by way of answer to his the bull -fighter. Sardoni wondered greatly letter was a copy of the Roma from Enrico, how the Contessa, Carossa felt down there containing the some paragraph which Made- the the stalls, as she 'watched with the rest =Anita Da Caisne had inclosed. e entrance of the torchlight procession, The shrewd -looking official who presided arid saw the crowd group itself and look ex - the breakfast -room on the morning after Merlino's compeny had landed in Italy. The official was pleased when, on leaving the breakfast -room, Carlo came to the bureau to buy some stamps, and he adroitly seized the opportunity to prefer a request. his very commonplace handwriting shoul be in demand; then, heppening to glance up the page at the names of the other vis- itors, his heart suddeuly leaped up iuto his mouth as he read, "11 Conte Caress; e Contessa Carossa:" The names were both apparently written in the Count's writing. He turned quickly to the concierge. " Couut Carossa is still in the hotel 2" " Yes, signor ; that is to say. he is out just at this moment, but he has taken his rooms for a week. The contesaa is in the salotto. I saw her go in just now." For a moment he hesitated. Francesca was here under the same roof with him 1. Dared he seek her out? Dared he hear from her own lips the whole truth! 1Vhen he had landed on the previous, evening he had sent off another urgent letter imploring Enrico to write, or, if possible, to come and see him at Genoa, where they had accepted a brief eneaaement ; but now to be told that staircase he met Anita ; she looked up at Francesca was close to him threw him com- him in a scared way. pletely off his balance, and an impulee "Do not speak of this to anyone else," scarcely resistible drove him toward the he saidt in a low voice ; "above all, not to salotto. Snoutd he not enter that room? Sardoni or Domenica. Let it be only Should he not see her at lead for this between us two, at any rate, till after the - wedding." She promised, although she was far from . understanding the motives which prompted the request, and Carlo with a heavy heart passed on and walked slowly down Broad street. Once more Niteas bitter words rang in his ears'"A legal bar between you and the one you love." "After all," urged the tempter, "are you not aiming at the impossible? Why should you think of her as his wife when the thought tortures you? What! you mean to allow no thought that you could not lay hare to her sight, or the sight of her husband? Fool! Give up! Is such a love as yours to be cramped and fettered and starved ; love that has lasted all these years ?" "You'll forgive me ina.king bold to stop you, sir," said a familiar voice. He looked round and saw Adamson, the scene -shifter. "1 wanted to catch you alone, sir, and at the theatre there be always others within hearing; and 1 guessed you'd be glad to hear, sir, that it's all come right." The sudden reaction from the terrible temptation to the story of the honest - looking old man, who bad been one of his first friends in the troupe, taxed his powers to the utmost. His brain seemed to reel, but with an effort he dragged himself back to the recollection of Adamson's trouble. His daughter, a pretty American girl, sang soprano in the chorus, and. for some time her father had been very uneasy about her, and Carlo had watched with a good deal of interest the progress of a small drama in which his dresser, Sebastian°, played the part of lover. "It's all come right, sir," repeated Adam- son; "and it's all owing to you. I don't know what you've done to Sebastian°, sir, but he's kind of altered. They're a -going to git married right away." The need of giving the old man his hearty sympathy restored Carlo to himself. He went into a restaurant and ate hisdinner soberly, but in his dark sky there were two gleams of light ; the first was the recollec- tion that Nitals heart had been at length reached ; the second, that his hopes for Sebastian° had been fulfilled. There came to him, too, the perception that there was still one way in which he might safely serve Francesca,. He could pray that her mar- riage might be a. happy one. There was at least that still to be hoped for. He went back to the Lafayette, found a letter which he had written earlier in the day to Enrico, and added the following brief postscript : "Why did you tell me nothing of Count Carossa's marriage? Send me all particu- lars, if you cam, to New York." More than that he could not bring him- self to put civet to his friend, bub to Clare he wrote a long letter and poured out all his trouble, for she was a woman, and he knew the would understand. Then, relieved a little by dile, he took the lettere himself to the post and made his way to the theatre. In Locuet street, close to the stage door, he met Sardoni, who wee much too full of his own affairs to be very ob. servant. The day is fixed at last," he said, cheerfully ; "ib is to be at New York next Sunday week. Will you be my best man, old fellow? "01 course I will, Jack, if you wish it," said Carlo. "Does your father come out for the wedding " ; but he has aeked us to stay with bine in the autumn, and your letter has evi4 den* done a good deal toward Mconciling him to the notion. We owe everything to y pectantly toward the back of the stage, till, amid a chorus of " Hurrah for brave Esett- millo 1" the slight, graceful figure in torea- dor costtnne advanced through a little lane of torches. Carlo's fame had preceded him, and the Genoese audience greeted him warmly ; he took off his black velvet hat and bowed with the mingled dignity and simplicity of manner which made him at once revered and loved by so many. Then, quickly turn- ing from the homage of the audience to the business of his part, and resuming the bold, genial bearing of Escamillo, he drained the wine cup haiaded to him, tossed it across the stage to one of the chorus, and broke forth into the welnknown toreador song. Ris beautiful voice, the vigor of his act-- ing, the imaginative power conveyed by eath look and gesture, held the audience spell -bound, and Sardoni marveled how, under the circumstances, he could sing the refrain of "Bear thou iu mind, when combat thee elates, Two bright eyes fondly regard, For thee a fond heart waits, Toreador." At the close cif the first verse the theatre rang with shouts of " Bravo I" And then ouce again came the graphic description of the bull -fight, till, by mere gesture and ex- pression, he brought the whole scene vividly before the audience. Most of them had heard "Carmen" before, and had seen the baritone more or less energetically flap his red flag. But Carlo actually made them feel the suspense and excitement of the real contest. He surpassed himself, and when once more the refrain had been sung the whole house rose, and with frantic cheering gave the new baritone an ovation. Not one of the applauders guessed that the song had been to the singer et, torturing effort, a mockery almost intolerable ; or dreamed how his heart was aching as he stood there acknowledging their thanks. Not till the end did he dare look toward the place where they had told him Francesca was sitting ; but, as he stood close to the foot- lights, bowing his acknowledgments, he ventured one -keen, searching glance ; lie would, at lest, learn ff she looked well and happy, would try to giuge the count' character. But he had expected too much of him- self; all was confusion; he could only ace that the count was frantically applauding him, and that Francesca's eyes were shining - and her cheeks glowing. After that brief glance, the whole house swam before him, and the only thing for him to do was to get through, as quickly as might be, his brief dialogue with Carmen, and march off amid the greetings of his comrades, while the orchestra once more played the toreador air. The moment he was behind the scenes, his brisk, blithe step hchanged ; there was a sort of relief in being able to re- lax the strain he had put on himself, yet never, even in the first shock of the news of Francesca's marriage, had he felt such an overwhelming sense of loss and loneliness as now, when he had actually seen her sitting beside her husband in the theatre, His first impulse was to lock himselfinto his dressing - room, but something nsade him hesitate ; if he were alone, he should think, and if be thought, he should. be lost ; the only chance of his being able to keep his faculties clear for the rest of the opera, lay in avoiding thought as far ass possible. After a minute, he forced himself to go to the greenroom and to join in the conversation, and there he remained through the interval, till the call boy summoned him again, and Sebastiano handed him a striped scarf instead of the red one. Flinging it across hie shoulder, he stepped on to the stage, changed himself with an effort into the toreador with his careless geniality, re- ceived with cool indifference Don Jose's indignation, and, when challenged to fight, gave a masterly representation of southern passion springing like a tiger on his foe, and, with drawn knife, fighting desperately. All was speedily over, and again he waited behind the scenes to sing the refrain of the toreador song in the distance. "You look tired, Donati," remarked Caffieri. "Confoundedly hot, isn't it ?" He assented, though all the tinae he was shivering from head to foot. It was doubly hard to sing those words in cold blood off the stege. But he got through them some- how, and, leaning wearily against the wall of the paseage, waited till the cries of "Donati I" rose to a roar, and then he pulled himself together, crossed the stage and stepped out before the curtain to accept the homage which just then meant to him so little. "What must be borne can be borne," he said to himself again and again ; "and at least Francesca et happy," And now the end of the opera was draw- ing near, and his part was almost over. Nita watched him with mingled wonder and sympathy as they waited side by side for their last entrance; he was grave and siheht, and the chorus from the stage of " Viva Escomithe !" jarred upon him she finicied, yet, though the wistful look in his eyes told plainly of his trouble, he WaF3 still ready as usual to think of other people. "There is a horrible draught hetet 2" he exclaimed—" you will take cold, Nita," And So saying, he wrapped his red scarf round her white shoulders, snatching it off again adroitly when they advanced on to the stage. Somehow she had never felt so near to hirri 0.t that minute. She knew ou, VOL" once? And yet every throbbing pulse within him warned him not to do eo, proved to him beyond dispute that for Francesca's sake and for his own, he had far better not seek her out. With a struggle that seemed to him bitter as death, he forced himself to pass by that closed door, and to go upstairs to his room. He was not left long in peace, for Gigi—who had grown into a very manly little fellow of nearly 7 years old, and who had been greatly improved by two years at a good school in New York—came bound- ing in with an eager request. Zio caro, don't you remember you promised to take me to Villa, Pallavicini this morning? • I guess we'll never be likely to get a finer day, and I do so dreffly want to see the fountains I" Though sick at heart, Carlo would not refuse the little fellow's petition, and he dragged himself over to Pegli, tryinghard to enter into Gigi's happiness, listening to his raptures over the beautiful gardens, and smiling politely when their conductor—a wizened, shrewd -looking little man—made time-honored jokes, and tried to be facetious. Neither the glorious views of sea and mountain, nor the lovely groves of ilex, olive,, eucalyptus and pine -trees, nor the glowing color of the aloes and rhododendrons, could rouse in him that day the slightest pleasure. Gigi chattered merrily as they rowed in a little boat, under charge of a broad -shouldered, kindly old boatman, through the stalactite caves, and gave a shout of delight when, as they passed on, and came in sight of the fountains, they saw one of the gardeners carrying out the usual practical. joke of turning the watering -hose in the direction of some visitors, who fled with good- natured laughter. , "Look, ems caro ! oh, do look 1" cried the child, clapping his hands. And Carlo, glancine round, saw'only a stone's throw from .him, on the bank, a little group of visitors, and among them. Count Carossa and Francesca. She did not see him'and af ter one long look, he turned away with a sick, dizzy feeling, and knew that he was answering the boat- man's remarks at random, and vaguely wondered whether, after the first shock, that sight would grow more bearable to him. How he lived through that day he never quite knew, but he had karma the truth of the words which he had spoken to Anita at Philadelphia that "Nothing is impossi- ble " ; and when the evening came, though Sardoni had dined with him, he stayed afterward talking of Domenica's perfec- tions, and of has anxiety about his father's first sight of her, Carlo had betrayed noth- ing, but seemed as ready as ever to sympa- thize with his friend's affairs. So engrossed was the tenor with his own happiness that he was amazed when, that evening at the theatre, Anita, drew him aside, and, with tears in her eyes, begged for his advice. "You are Carlo's friend I" she said, in low, hurried tones ; " for God's flake tell me what to dol The Contessa Carossa is sitting in the stalls 1 Shall I tell Carlo before he goes on 2" Sardoni ritared. " Vila°, in heaven's name, may the Con - tesla Carona be?" he asked. "Insomnia! I forgob you had, not been told 1 He kept it from you because he would not have you troubled at the time of your wedding. She is Francesca Britton, the girl he was to have married 1 He heard when we were at Philadelphia that she had become the wife of Count Caroms." Sande eve an inartioulate eeclainatieti of rage 4 „regret, So well what it was that made him tremble Carlo turned into his dressIng-room, only aie with kis arm round her, he sang the to be cetffronted by Sehastiano. He had shook like that inightmh akehint breakdown. tanteli;toioo eclolatofhitinhototourteteacIrotrh-0 heard too much of marriages that d butI will tell hi if ay,m mays° . • words "If C yet untst cOngratulate his dresser, and, as Carel had just (Unlined 8ebastiano, aud singe thou loveet me anteen, thoubtr d bth hlt b lite put on his jester's Coetume of red and was equipped in the picturesepie eostame of igen-n an y " sae "He Sleet be told?" he said. "A fiudden Together they were just singing their mutual avowal of Wee, the house was hushed be cateli the exquisitely -blended voices iu the bet soft repetition of "Yes, I love thee I" when from the gallery there rope a hoarse cry—the most terrible cry {bet can be raised in any great gatheriug— the cry of "Fire I" With a shriek Nita tore herself wen and rushed from the stag; and in one instant it seemed to Carlo that the whole house was in an uproar. He shouted an assurance that there wee no danger; he begged Marioni to go on with the opera . but it Was all in vain. Then he stood like a statute in front of the stage though all around him hill companions were flying, though women were shrieking though Mo honi dragged him by the arm, imploring him to save himself while yet there was time. He Fihook himself free, and remained gazing down at the seething mass of people in the stalls, spite of all the confusion., keeping his eye steadily on Count Carossa and his wife, till at length, with a pang of wrath and astonishment, he saw the count force a waythrough the crowd for a beauti- ful, fair haired girl beside him, who seemed to be almost fainting with terror, and leave Francesca to take care of herself. But indignation soon gave place to a thrill of wild exultation. At least it was his part to shield her now—her husband had left her, and that time which he had thought might possibly come in some dim fature had arrived—he might serve hens - might, perhaps, save her from death. He rushed to the side of the stage, leaped down into tihe deserted orchestra, dashed aside the music -Stands which impeded his progress, cleared the barrier at a bound, and, with the agility which was natural to him increased by the fearful excitement, forced his Way to Francesca. " Carlin° 1" she cried—joy, fear and re- lief mingling in her tone as she snatched his hands in hers—" I knew you would come. I couldn't go with Count Carossa 1" He dropped her hands, perplexed, trou- bled, utterly surprised. •That Francesca, under the oirournstances, should have spoken thus, seemed to him wholly unlike her. The marriage had been a forced one, undoubtedly, but yet how doubly strange of her to come end hear him that night; how inunensely she must have altered to greet him now with euch words. Terror must surely have made her forget all else. " Don't be afraid," he said, very gently, yet with a manner so restrained that she instantly noticed it : " even if this is not wholly a false alarm, our best hope of es- caping unhurt is just to stay here quietly. See, if you don't mind my holding you like than I think I can prevent your being pushed by the crowd." " Carlo,' she said, quickly, relapsing into English, "are you angry with me ? ' "1? How can you ask such a question? I arn not angry at all, not in the least" " I couldn't help it ; I couldn't go with the count, and not know what happened to you. Are you thinking of what people will say?" "No, that matters very little. But 1 fear you did wrong to stay. " Wrong, when I love you 2" " For God's sake be silent 1" he cried, in O voice wrung with pain. "1 dare not let you speak such words to me. Let us say no more at all. Perhaps the way will soon be clear, and I can take you back to the count. I don't understand how he could possibly leave you behind; he is very much to be blamed." Her eyes were full of tears. "You must not be vexed with him," she said, falteringly; "it was my doing. I would not go, and it was right that he should think first of his wife; she was almost fainting." "His wife 1" gasped Carlo. "His wife 1 Francesca I peak!sspeak I tell me what you mean 1" His manner terrified hen " Why, he married Flora Britton, that pretty Scotch cousin of mine; she had been staying with us since her mother's death." For answer, Carlo, regardless of all else, caught her in his arms, and had the pude in the theatre caused their death he would scarcely have murmured, for in that mo- ment of exquisite relief, in that restoration to him of all he thought he had lost, he lived through whole years of rapture. " My own! my darling! Can you ever forgive me 2" he cried. "1 don't understand," sobbed Francesca; "but nothing matters since you love me still—nothing matters now we are together once more." He thrust his hand impatiently into the toreador costume, and, drawing forth an envelope, held it towards her. "1 can't tell you," he said ; " but look at these, and you will, perhaps forgive me." With blank astonishment F:he looked at the cutting from the Times announcing her own marriage to Count Carossa. "Ah 1 who could have done so cruel a thing," she exclaimed. "This never could have been in the Time at all, or, of course, we should have heard of it. Who could have had it printed like this on purpose ?" " I see it now I" said Carlo. It must have been Comerio's vengeance 1" His wrath was almost swallowed up in the strange perception that began to steal over him of how completely evil had de- feated its own ends. Comerio's vengeance had actually been the means of winning for himself Anita's sympathy and love. "The hymn we sang at Flora's wed- ding," observed 'Francesca "and her monogram s' F. B.,' just like mine—how horribly it must al have fitted in 1 This letter, too I—veho wrote it ?" "It is from Mademoiselle DeCaisne ; she was engaged at the San Carlo, but I'll never believe that she had anything to do With that false notice. Comerio was sing- ing at -the San Carlo, too. He must have induced her to write the account and send the papers, and himself have inserted that thing. I don't like Elise De (Jaime but she would never have lent herself to a fraud like that." "How horribly the people cry out near the doors 1" exclaimed Francesca, able now for the first time to realize a little what was going on around her. "01,, Carlo ! how frightened I should be if you were not here with me " " Is Captain Britton in Genoa 2 " asked Carlo. "Yea, we are all here in the Pilgrim— Uncle George and Kate and Clare. Oh, how frightened they will be if they hear of this panic before we get out 1" 14 Where had they arranged to meet you 2" a Uncle George and father were to call for me at the hotel where Renato and Flora are staying. It was such a chance that I come at all, for you know how little father liketheatre going. But they Came to the yacht this morning, and begged to have me for the day, and said they had taken places for Carmen,' and father hovel' likes to say 'No,' and so I came, not knowing till we landed that Flora had planned it all on purpoee that I should hear you sing." • N" They will be terribly anxious about you. Do you think you could be brave enough to walk into this smoke, which is driving everyone else away? I believe we shotfid have a very fair chance of escaping through the orchestra." " Yes, yes—let us come 1" she cried. " am not afraid of anything With you." He wrapped her shawl aroUnd her, cleared the way for her towards the orcheetrat lifted her over the barrier, and quickly fol- lowing himeelf, advanced cantiousierthrough the emoke-filled paeliegee, Before long he eturnbled up against Sardoni. "You here Jack 1" he exclaimed " Ca4 we get out? How did it happen ?" " You can get out all right," eeidSardoni, "The fire is almost got under; they are working away splendidly with the fire engines. I was just coming to look for you. How it started no one knows, unless it was front ono of the matchee flung down when they were smoking inthe camp scene—and yet I don't see how that con have been. You'll get none of the fun here ; oome and look at it." " Not now; leliss Britton's people will be anxious; we must get out as quickly as may be. There is no crowd at the stage door, I suppose ?" "A firemngine or two blocking the way, perhaps—nothing worse. But what in JioaVeu's name has happened, Val ?" He glanced for an instant at the sweet, girlish face, whioh, not long before, he had watched with indignant wonder. " Comerio's vengeance !" said Carlo, in a low voice; then, turningback, he said, " Francesca, this is my friend Sardoni, of whom you have often heard." Francesca shook hands with hiin warmly. " And how about Madame Merlino 2" she asked. " Is she quite safe ?" "1 took her back to the hotel with my wife," said Sardoni, "and I believe on the way back I passed Count Carossa." "Ho was obliged to try and get his wife out quickly," explained Francesca. ". Oh, I hope Flora wasn't hurt in the crowd! Do let us get back to them I" "Come with us, Jack, if you don't mind," Elaid Carlo ; a.ncl together they made their way through the crowded streets to the hotel, which was not far off. In the entrance hall they foundn number of people clustered round the poor little contessa, who was lying on the floor quite unconscious, while the count, who heel ha,d his arm broken in the crush round the door of the theatre, received no sympathy at all from Captain Britton, who had jut come ashore from the yacht, and was beside him- self with anger and anxiety. " She would not come 2' " he etormed. " OE course not 1 An English girl has sense enough not to make for the door in a panic ! And you ought to have stayed with her ! How dare you take my daughter out, and then forsake her like a—" talr. Britton hastily interposed. "John, don't waste time in talking 1" he said. "Let us come round quiekly, and 800 11 we can't find her." " Gran Dio !" cried the count, starting forward, "here she is 1" Captain Britton turned, and paw that Francesca was just entering the hotel, lean ing on the arm of an actor gorgeously at- tired iu Spanish costume. It flashed upon him, even at that moment, that it was a strange reversal of things which should bring hirn to scold a count for his desertion and to thitnk an opervesinger for rescuing his daughter. • " My dear, dear child 1" he exclaimed, bending down to kiss her I " we have ouly just heard of the fire—we have been ter- ribly anxious about you ! You are not hurt 2" • "Not a bit !" said Francesca. Carlo made me stay quite still, and then helped me out through the orchestra and by the stage door--" " Carlo 1" exclaimed Captain Britton, in amazement. And glancing round, he saw that the toreador was shaking hands with Mr. Britton, and answering as best he might the torrent of questions which assailed him on all sides. "It is Signor Donati, the new baritone of whom all the world speaks 1" said one of the little crowd; " Via! I tell you I should know him anywhere. The shops are full of his photographs." "Aid he has saved the pretty signorina from the fire 2" exclaimed another. Captain Britton, forgetting for once in his genuine glow of emotion that many eyes were watching him, drew near to the hero of the evening. "Carlo, my dear boy I" he exclaimed, seizing his hand in a hearty grip, "1 can never thank you enough—never Something in his throat choked him, and Mr. Britton, having suggested that rumors might possibly have reached the Pilghim, and that Clare and Kate might be anxious, ° he quickly availed himself of the chance of escaping from eo trying a scene, and, with a parting shake of the hand, and a " To -morrow 1" spoken sotto voce, which conveyed much to Carlo, he drew his daughter's arm within his, end led her away from the hotel. , (To be esontinuod Plain Facts tor Pretty Girls. It is very bad form to address an envelope crosswise. A card left or sent to an afternoon tea discharges the obligation. Women of refined tastes do not use fancy note paper. Chloroform will remove grease epots from silk and poplin. The word "suite" is pronounced as though spelled "sweet." Brides usually take with them to their new homes a full supply of house linen. The bride should stand at the left of the bridegroom during the marriage ceremony. Girls should not go out driving, nor to the theatre, with men who do not visit at their homes. The widows of Presidents Grant and Gar- field are allowed to send their mail matter free of postage. —Ladics' Home Jouirncd. Bow to Feed Dogs. "In the matter of food many dog -owners make grievous errors and are therefore remiss ih their duty," writes Dr. Gordon'' Stables, toward our friend the dog. I think the rule of a light breakfast about 8 in the morning., and a good nutritious dinner al 5p. m. is a good one, but we should never neglect to give eome mashed greens twice or thrice a week, nor forget that change does good. An occasional dinner of well -boiled tripe is a great treat to almost any dog; so s a bit of liver lightly boiled. eke to bones young dogs may have eafe ones, but old dogs are better without ; a handful of bone meal mustlio duty instead.—Dog Owner's A Professional High Mater. Though the recent ekirt dancieg perfor- mance of the Countess Russell in an amateur representation occasioned more comment than commendation, the gay young woman appears very well satisfied, and has deter- mined to go upon the hoards as a profes- sional. A cablegram says she will shortly sign a contract with Manager Edwards as a dancer at the Gaiety. Nine hundred .and ninety.nine non-Con- formisb ministers of Ireland have addreseed to Mr. Gladstone, an appeal against an Irish Parliameet ttr the subjection of great Pro- testant communities to Roman Catholie rule. Mr: Gladstone's ansWer was that he derived no new information frotn this docu- ment. "1 am happy to Say," remarked the preacher, ." that the sheriff did!! reeigeted," "1 diepute that Statement," said the editor "lie died, but be hanged if he resigned 1" weENTs AND 01111afe1lIONs indeed, has been s thie subject that said. on leettere !Barred out or cononi in All Rid Ftve atates, We have endleee talk, argument and sans mem about the rig wOlnelb SO ballek the tern), has long been used as a sort of re - preach, and savors of ridicule. According to an excellent authority, it is quite time that something was done, at least in one direction, to establish certain Claims, that,. under the laws of nature, it would eeern that wemen have a right to assert. If there is any one thing between heaven and earth that a woman is. entitled to, it is the child that ehe has borne, and there ht nothing iu law, justice or humauitY which can invalidate that right except her abso- lute unfieness, mentally or moiallye to care for it. If a woman wants her ohild, n1 desires specially to look after it, or have her say about it, it would seem that no power established by a rnan should be able to gum - tion her right to do so. It will probably surprise many persons who have heard a great deal of talk aboue what wonderful privileges 'Women enjoy under the laws of our laud, to be informed that there are huh five States in the Union in which a mother has any legal right to her child. These states are; Oregon, Kan- sas, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington. In all of these, the parents have equal righta as far as children are concerned. In the other states, the father can do with the child whatever he chooses; can take it front the mother at its birth, or if he dies before the child is born, he can dispose of its care and education until it is of age. The mother can't protect it from his cruelties, abuse or neglect, or interfere legally with any of his ideas concerning it, unless she appeals the courts, which are quite as likely to decide against as for her. No matter what the father's habits or morals, she can't remove the children from hie influence, nor can she have them educated or trained if he chooses to oppose her wishes. While there are unquestionably women who are as urn* willing as they are unfit to care for their children it is a fact impoisible to gainkay that, as a rule, women are inflnitely more fit to take charge of their traiuing and education than men. They know much better what the child requirea and are much better adapted by natural inatinet and gift to supply whatever is de - mended. It is a melancholy comment on the condi- tion of this country that a father, regardless of the intelligence or character of the mother, can, without notice or other authority than the fatherhood vestes in him, remove the child from its mother's care, and, as often the case, keep it away from her to satisfy some petty revenge or to force compliance with his wishes in other matters. The mother's affection is made use of as a means of torture, and there are not wanting small-souled men who take advantage of the last privilege granted them by law. The statutes should be so amended thab cases Y.likeedgetrhis would be inposrible.—nr. The Things We no in the Spring*. Raw linseed oil is much better than keret- sone for oiliness furniture'but it must be rubbed perfectly dry witha woollen cloth. If you take down any stoves, remove the nickel trimmings, scour and wrap each piece separately in paper and lay in a dry place. Do not wash and put away blankets until June'and when you do, use borax and plenty of hot water, and they will clean easily and look well. Wall paper may be cleaned and made to ,S look much fresher by rubbing with soft t. cloths, dipped in oatmeal, if the cloths are changed often a,ud never used when dusty. Otherwise it will look worse than at first. es, Feather beds and pillows should be thor- oughly aired and the ticks changed, if necessary. But do not hong or lay them in the hot sun, for this will draw out the ail and make them foul rather than pure. The most comfortable " tacks " imagina- ble to spread over the top of mattresses are made by using feathers instead of cotton for filling, and tying them about four inchea apart. One ordinary -sized feather bed will make four "tacks.' windows are easier cleaned and have irt far higher polish if a little alcohol or am- monia is added to the water and soap used. After rubbing dry with a cloth polish witTi chamois or pieces of newspaper. Baby's Meals. The seasons of baby's meals should be household ha,bits by the time he is allowed to partake of cooked food, says Babyhood. Do not blunt the zest which he ought to bring th the consumption of regular rations by intervening -nibbles and lunches. He will learn to expect and demand these, and be discontented when they are witlakeld. The practice of appeasing him when rest- less, from whatever cause, by thrusting a cracker, a slice of bread or, worse yet, a " hunk " of gingerbread or a " cookey ' intik his hand as discountenanced by wise mothers. He besmears his face and clothe; drops crumbs on the carpet and makes a continual want for himself. When the hour comes for feeding him give him his quantum of proper food, properly prepared. Let him eat it leisurely, and as soon as he is old enough to sit at a, table serve his meal neatly in plate, cup Or saucer, set on a neat cloth, his own spoon, china and finger napkin laid in order. These are not trifles. More Americans would breakfast, dine or sup in healthful decorum, tas and fewer "feed" if they were trained to consider a meal as a ceremonial observance, and the need of popular essays on "Table Manners would be less urgent. Caro or the rhino. Everyone has observed after purchasing a new piano that it soon takes on a dull, smoky appearance, says the Indianapolis Sentinel. To remove this use a fine sponge, tepid water and castile soap. Go over the. case, a little at a time. The water alone, - without the soap, will usually be all that is needed. A chamois sikin, as dry as can be wrung out of water, should be used to dry the surface after using the sponge. For old pianos a polish of raw linseed oil (two parts), alcohol and best vinegar (one part each) may be applied with good results if care be taken to use a 'very little at a time and to thoroughly rub that little off. ,Shake the polish frequently, use soft cotton cloth, One piece to rub it on and a large, clean piece to finish it off with. Bruises, usually on the front, can be taken off by rubbing with powdered pumice stone and water, Or with sapOlio. Clean the keiye with alcohol, and water, equal parts.—Interview with a Piano-malter. BOliSoling to the invalid. "Mourning geed; pkase," oho Baia tA, the floorwalker. "Ye, Madame, this way, if you will," and then he added, feelingly, "death is a. sad thins, madame." "It is indeed !" she responded. " nonoltymwaaknet an nyo e e el) utrheh elaats ttthhi isn gms "nin g. yon in the mourning lino; my husband is a very siok man," Guirand, a composer and one of the greatest authorities on Music in France, is dead.