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CAPITAL CITY COURIER, SATURDAY, JUNE i, 1889.
10
Tl,i;l, "?wrr "
I
lo
.
llah, "nnd I wns just practicing my now
pa when jour lint got tn my way. It li
n very pretty Iwillet 'The Water Sprite.'
Have 3 mi Iktii to tho rehearsal bcforeV
"No; 1 Imvo not hml that plonsur. Are
jrou rehearsing alone?"
"No, Indeed! don't you hoar them on
tho Btngc? Tho tmiila hasn't begun yet;
they nro Just exorcising. Do you dance?"
"I might pull through a Virginia reel
with n good partner," answered Rush.
"I don't know Hint dnnco. Is it for
tho ballot?" Bald she, passing her foot
over her lirnil Jut for practice.
"Not It'rt not n bullet. Tako enrol
you'll fnll," said Rush, who had never
soon n wotnnu stand on ono leg so long,
putting out bin hand to otondy her.
She M)l;ed him playfully in tho rllm
with her slippered too. "You don't
know much nbout tho Iwillet or you
would not think that anything I can
put my leg straight up In tho air and
oomo down the ntngo on ono foot. 1 get
a call for that every night. Haven't
you over Been mo do It?'
"That lit u pleiiMiro still in Htoro for
mo," answered Rush, with a gallant
bow.
"Ilarkl" tuild tho dancer, leaning for
ward. "Didn't you hear old Narini rap
on his violin? I nuiHt fly."
"Bcforoyou go pray let mo know tho
naino of tho charming young lady whoso
agility wns tho occasion of this pleasant
acquaintance"
"You don't know mo? What n strange
fellow 1 I am Leon 1 1 Come, follow mo
If you want to tioo tho rehearsal," And,
taking his hand, sho led hltu in nnd out
among tho dusty scones, nnd (Innlly sta
tioned him In tho wings in full view of
tho stage, which wns dimly lighted by
two largo gas jots In tho center. A queer
looking old man in a swnllow tnl coat,
buttoned up to tho chin, stood ready
with his violin under his arm By his
sJdo woh nn eminently rcspcctnhlo look
ing woman in a plain stuff gown nnd
bonnet,
"Now, ladles, nro you ready?" said sho,
and, touching tho old mnn gently, "Sig
ner Nnrlnl, begin If you ploaso." Thon,
beating Unto vigorously with hor foot,
sho saig, "Ono, two, threo." A row of
legs was lifted towards Hush, who began
to fid very much as though lie were
playing tho rolo of Pooping Tom. "Soo
saw" went tbo violin in tho most marked
tiuo, followed by the volco of tho wom
an and tho sharp beating of her foot on
tho bnro boards.
Rush had scon ballet dancing boforo,
but never In such queer costumes. Thore
were no two alike. All tho dancers wore
short skirts, but from tho waist up thoy
wore covered with dressing sacqucs of
every concoivablo stylo, except ono who
had on nn ordinary black body nnd a
black bonnet with n long crepo voil,
which floated out behind her us sho came
tripping down tho stngo. Homo had on
old tights, others their usual Blockings.
The womnn who was rehearing them
was the most encrgctio ponion Rush had
ever teen. Sho not only sang all tho
music, but sho beat time with her hands
and feet, and whenever a particularly
difficult stop occurred sho picked up hor
petticoats nnd danced it with the
girls "ladles" sho called them. If
they showed tho slightest hesitation, they
had to dance it nil ovcrugulu. Rush had
noycr had such n treat In his .life, lie
enjoyed every note of Slgnor Narlnl's
music, and overy Btep of tho coryphees.
But whero was his nglle friend? Ah,
thoro sho stood In tho opposito wings,
watching tho trainer Intently. The
coryphees inado a backward movement,
Slgnor Nurlnl played a flourlsh.and Leonl
bounded to tho front of tho Btage.
Away flow Slgnor Narlnl'a fingers
over tho strings, and nwuy flaw Leonl
around the stage; then tho muslo slowed
up, and the dancer eamo down tho stage
in a series of courtesies; thon sho pi
rouetted around on her toes und dually
drew up In the center, and, placing one
foot m high over her head as sho could
get It, wriggled down to the foot lights
on the toe of the other slipper. It
was a difficult tusk well done, Narini
rapped on the back of his violin with
his bow, and Mme, Kathl Lanner for it
was no less a personage training the
ballot clapped her hands delightedly,
while Rush joined in the applause from
the wings. Leonl mado him a graceful
bow, and then, crossing over to him
with the ungraceful walk of tho ballet
dancer, cald, "I told you I could do it,
I never did It bo well at a rehearsal be
fore; but I wanted to show you what I
could do,"
"Thank you vory much," said Rush.
You did beautifully. You are aa grace
ful as a swan and as light as a fairy. I
never saw anything moro exquisite; that
last bit was the very poetry of motion."
Leonl looked ut him us though she hod
heard that expression boforo, but she
did not nay no.
"Ladles of the demon balletl" shouted
Miuo. Lannor: and In a moment the air
was filled with the clanging of cymbals.
"Do you tlanco again?" said Rush, amid
the din.
"Oh, yes; I lead tho demons."
"Aa an ungel of light?"
"Oh, no; I'm the head devil Wult till
you see me In my red tights, with my
face covered with phosphorus and a
gold pitchfork Ut my hand. We give the
ballet on Friday night. Will you be borer
There was no coquetry in tho girl's
wanner, she was proud of her perform
ance, and she wanted every one to see it,
"I shall certainly try to get here," said
Rush.
"Itwlllbegrand.-ehecontlnued. "We
glre 'The Water Sprite' first, then cornea
the new opera, 'Helen uf Troy, 'composed
by M. (lounod expressly for Mile. Knowl
ton, who will uppeur as Helen for the
Ant timo. You had better come."
"I shall do so, or perish In the attempt,"
answered Rush, with an emphasis that
rather surprised the girl, who began to
tlllnk that she had made an impression
ofl'the young man's heart. "You spoke
of Ml- Knnwltonj Uoeselu' come to re
twanwlitf" he inquired. "Will she be here
io-nlght!"
"Of -oum she romea to rehearsal
-ktf Jt HtHpiti question! but she doesn't
tMw to Jwilk-t tyhearsak. fillip was here
aU (Iwjim trying rrtwuralug' I Ivlvn." Mile,
satm-ituii worlds hard, and ah is Just ai
AMJmm Aw Ukf stager of the MwaUeet
part to make n lilt as to maKu one tier
solfi but hIic always does that, and sho Is
going to have a grand triumph as Helen.
You ouulit In see her costumes. Thuyaro
lovely Mie let nor uresswr snow mom
to all of tin lailles of tho ballet nnd the
chorus the oilier ilny."
"Sho mint be very uciiablo and good.
You can tell that by looking at her," said
Rush
"(Jood? 1 should think she was good I
Sho Is not like some prime dotiuo I have
danced with Peoplo talk about ballot
girls" with a shrug; "I could tell them
something nlwut prlmodonuelf I would,
but I'm not u gossip, I have enough to
do to look alter uty own affair, without
troubling myself about other eoplo's.
If you euuie to know us you will 1 1 ml
that we nie not ns black as we are paint
ed. Some of tho hardest working nnd
best women 1 havo over known hnvo
been ballet dancers. Becatiso somo ono
ban given us n bad nniuo wo nro tho tar
got for nil the simple headed fops and
bald headed rakes in tho country: but
those wicked men (lud themselves mis
taken sometimes, nnd learn that a ballet
dancer can take enre of herself nnd that
sho has other to take caro of her. You
should have heard my fathor toll how ho
thrashed lird Bollllowor on tho stngo
at Covent Harden ono night for chuck
ing my mother under tho chin. My
mother wan n dancer ono of tho most
fatuous fairies in tho pnntoiuimo, though
you wouldn't think so to see hoi now
nnd very beautiful. Old Ilellllower ad
mired her across tho footlights, nnd
thought the only thing ho need do to
make her acquaintance was to sponk to
her. He was well known behind tho
scones of tho thoatro; my mother was
not sho had just como from Italy; nnd
ho sauntered across tho stngo to tho
wings where shu was standing, nnd,
with nn Insolont loor, put out his big
ho-rlnged hand nnd caught hor by tho
chin. Oh, dear mol 1 hnvo to laugh
whenovcr I think of it. My mother drow
back in nffrlght as my father stopped
up. My father was a famous athloto
tho champion cannon ball tossor of Ku
ropo. He took hla lordship by tho seat
of his trousers nnd tho collar of his coat
and ran him tho length of tho ntngo, tho
entire company looking on and trying
not to laugh; and when ho got him to
tho drop curtain ha kicked It nsldonnd
fired my Lord Bollllowor clear over tho
orchestra Into tho pit. You can Imagine
what u sensation this mado. My mothor
had to leavo tho thoatro, as his lordship
was a largo stockholder nnd ono of tho
directors; but both she and my father
got a splendid engagement at nnothcr
houso. If my fnthor had Intended doing
something to make himself popular, ho
could not hnvo hit upon n better dovlco;
and I can tell you that ballot dancers
woro hotter treated by tho swells for
somo timo nftcr that."
And Leonl rulsed herself on her toes
nnd laughed.
"A capital story, capitally told," said
Rush; "and 1 shall huvoucaro tn futuro
not to chuck ballot girls under tho chin
until I find out If thero aro any athletes
In tho family."
"I don't believe you nro that sort of a
man." said Leonl. "If I did, I would
not havo stood horo talking to you; but
thcro is Bomothlng about yon that tolls
mo that you nro nn honest young fellow
and havo not liobn In the city long
enough to bo spoiled by Its wicked ways.
Ah! thoro Is my cue."
Rush was young enough not to feci al
together flattered by Lconi'u estimate of
him, but ho look tins It was meant. He
was very much pleased with tho elrl:
eho waa very handsomo, her manner was
as attractive aa it wus frank, und bIio
danced liko n sylph, no made up hla
mind that ho would ask vormlsslon to
call upon hor, and when she pirouetted
around his way again, ho said, "Mllo.
Looni, Blnco you have been kind enough
to express suchn good opinion of mv
character, perhaps you would not mind
proving what you say by ullowlncr mo to
call upon you nt your homo." And ho
smiled a most winning smile.
Ueonl looked him straight In the eyes;
then sho saldi "If you would really caro
to call at my humble apartment you nro
quite welcomo; but Hrst glvo mo your
name, inui i may tntrouuco you to my
mother; sho is hero waiting for me, Sho
comes for mo ovory night and wo go
nomo together.
"My name U Rush Ilurlstono. and I
am a journalist fresh from tho country,
wo, as you surrainea. I sliull bo most
happy to meet tho mother of so charm
ing a daughter, if you will tnko mo to
her," said Rush, la his most convincing
manner.
"Tills way, then, please,"
Rush followed hor across tho back of
the stngo, and thero In a remote corner
sat a tall, thin Italian woman, with a
wrinkled, sallow Bkln, largo noso, sharp
;polnted chin (tho very chin Lord Bell
flower had touched to his cost), and coal
black eyes with heavy lids. Thoy must
havo been huudsotno eyes when sho was
young not so many years ago, either:
but Italian women lado rapidly.
"Mothor, I want to Introduce Mr. Rush
Ilurlstono, from tho country, who would
like to call on us somo day," said Leonl
Tho way sho pronounced his uatno
amused Rush very much, but ho wan too
well bred to smile. Ho bowed politely
lo tho mother and shook her hand so
heartily that he knocked bar knitting
out of her lap as she attempted to rise.
"1 am very glad to meet you, Slgnora
Leonl," oaid ho, "and I hope for a
better acquaintance with both you and
your daughter."
"Thank you," said sho. In English
more broken than that of her daughter.
"But piy name is Celt."
"Leonl is my stage namo, you know,"
added the daughter. "You hate to
haw u fancy namo in the ballot. At
home I nut Lisa Cella; bore 1 mu Leoni
-the only Leonl,' us thoy say on the
hilU"
While they were talking thcro were
loud cries for "Meester White," the gas
limn. Mme, lanucr wanted to try some
of the colored light effects und Mr.
While could not be found. "It's very
funny," hjIiI the back door man. "I
uw White standing out in tho ruin over
an hour ago und vailed him in. Wliat's
more, I saw him come in; but I haven't
aweu him Imv. He couldn't have stum
out, lor I haven't lett tho door for a mo
ment." RiimIi felt n guilty flush steal up
to I ill cheeks, hut us it would not holt)
mnttcrs for him to explain that It was ho,
and not tho gas man, who hnd been
called to enter tho academy, ho snld
nothing, It being imposslblo to try tho
colored lights without Mr. White, Mmo.
Lanner said that sho would oxpect to
meet them all tho noxt morning at 0,
Leonl and her mothor got ready for tho
street, and Rush naked If ho might not
accompany them to their door, as it wns
rather Into for unprotected women to bo
out.
Thoy smiled at tho Idea of tho lateness
of tho hour; It was then not moro than
half past 10, nnd often thoy had gono
homo nlono ns Into ns 1 o'clock; but If
Mr. Ilurlstono wns going In their direc
tion they would bo pleased to havo his
company. Thoy lived In East Tenth
street, which was quite convenient for
him, Tho rnlu had ceased, nnd tho moon
wns shining brightly, ns tho threo stepped
out Into Fourteenth street. Rush thought
of tho ono ho hnd seen coming through
that doorway tho night boforo, ns ho
gavo his arm to Slgnorn Cello. Tho con
versation turned from tho stars of heaven
to tho stars of tho stngo, as thoy walked
down to East Tenth street: nnd when
thoy reached tho modest houso whero
tho ballet dancer and her mother lived,
Blgnorn Cella Insisted that ho should
como In.
"Wo nlwayB havo a little Btippcr nftcr
tho thcatro," snld sho, "and It would
pleaso us vory much to havo you cat a
bit of bread nnd drink u glass of wine
with us. Glusoppo will bo glad to seo
you, too: ho sees very llttlo company,
poor mnn."
Leonl ndded her Invitation. Rush
looked nt her hnndsomo eyes, glistening
In the moonlight, and accepted. Slg
norn Cclla's night key admitted them,
and they woro soon in n comfortably
furnished room in tho second story. A
tnblo spread with a snowy cloth stood in
tho middle of the floor, and, by tho mel
low light of nn oil lamp, Rush saw that
It was Bet for tho lato supper of which
all pcoplo connected with tho Btago nro
so fond, nnd which is really necessary to
their health, as thoy can cat very llttlo
beforo tho performance. After tho per
formance Is over tholr minds nro nt rest,
nnd they enn sit down quietly nnd enjoy
a tolerably hearty meal. A stick of
French bread, n cut of that delightful
Italian sausage salami, nnd n bottlo of
Chinntl wlno stood upon tho tnblo. Rush
noticed this nt a glnuco, nnd nt tho same
timo ho saw a largo man, with a faco
showing Blgns of great Buffering, propped
up with pillows In n big chair by tho fire.
Leonl ran lightly across tho room, kissed
tho invalid's hand und laid it gently upon
her brown curls, ns though its touch car
ried n blessing with it.
Tho man leaned over and kissed heron
tho forehead, saying something In Italian
that Rush did not hear, nnd would not
hnvo understood If ho hnd. Then Leonl
nroso nnd introduced Rush to her father.
Tl lis poor su fferer wns tho famous can non
ball tosscr. Ho had tossed ono ball too
many, for tho last timo he appeared In
public tho biggest nnd heaviest ono hit
him on a tender point of tho spine, and
this had been his condition over since.
Ho would never get well; ho know It;
and tho knowlodgo added to his suffer
ing. "Hero I sit, a great, useless hulk,
dependent on my poor llttlo Lisa for sup
port," was the burden of his thoughts.
"If I could only work I could bear tho
pain; but I nuiGt sit hero calmly as I may,
with mind and body both on tho rack."
Thero had been more or lessor tho animal
In Cclla's appearanco when ho was a
young man, but ho wns always hand
some, nnd, now that Buffering had refined
his fnco nnd whitened his hnlr, ho waa
really aristocratic looking. Ho shook
Rush cordially by tho hand, but ho said
only a few words, as his English was
very imperfect.
Slgnora Cella disappeared In nnothcr
room und loft Leoni to entertain Rush.
In a fow moments sho returned with a
bowl of smoking soup and a golden hucd
omelet. They wheeled tho ox-cannon
ball tosser up to tho table, no opened
tho bottlo dexterously, took tho oil out
of tho nock with a llttlo wad of cotton,
and then nil drank tho health of the
guest. So merry a meal Rush had sel
dom sat down to. Tho old man was not
In us much pain as usual, and ho told
somo amusing anecdotes of his athletic
days. Leonl was all excitement, owing
to tho now ballot, and good humor
reigned. When tho clock struck 13 Rush
bado his kind entertainers good night,
and thanked them for ono of tho pleas
antest evenings of his lifo. It was all so
unconventional; Leonl was so beautiful
and had bo much common sense, and he
waa astonished at tho refinement of tho
family.
Ho hadnlwuys imagined that ballet
dancers were a rather ignorant lot, and
fast withal: yet hero waa a girl who,
whllo sho appeared boforo the public In
skirts nbovo hor knees and earned a
larger salary than her companions bo
causo sho could kick hor legs higher, waa
yet as modest and refined by naturo as
most ladies, though tho associations of
her llfo mado her freer tn her manner
with strangers than If sho had been born
In moro exclusive circles. Thero was
nothing coarso about cither of her pa
rent., though her fathor had been a pro
fessional pthlcto aud her mother a
dancer: und thoy woro ovidontly very
careful of tl'clr daughter. As Rush
walked across town to his lodgings, ho
wondered if ho was the samo Rush
Hurlstono who three days ago was an
unfledged country boy. Only two nights
had passed, Mid hero ho was tn lovo with
a prima donna and supping with a bal
let dancer!
CHAPTER IIL
USH HURL
STONE was
not tho only
young man tn
Now York In
iovo with
Helen Knowl
ton. There
was scarcely
a man in tho city
who was not in
tho samo condi
tion. 1 cannot
say that all were
as hard ldt ua our
young friend, but
several of tiaem
egBwHRw
thought thoy wero wlilo'i amounts to
mu Bumo tiling for the tttno being, This
Is not to bo wondered nt, either. Helen
Knowlton was u woman of remnrknblo
attractions. Asido from her gifts aa a
singer (and sho was now at tho zenith of
her Hwers), sho wns a clover womnn, a
student of books nnd of men, nnd with
sentiment enough to ennblo her to Inter
pret (tootle characters most successfully.
Whllo not, perhaps, what would bo
called a beauty, bIio was strikingly hand
some. According to classic Ideas, her features
wero not (icrfect; yet one seldom sees
finer oyes or u strnlghter nose, or u hand
loincr mouth than hers when she was
talking or laughing. Somo pcoplo
thought her mouth too large, but Rush
novcr liked a small mouth In mnn or
womnn; n largo mouth with glistening
teeth nlwnys uttractcd him. Her oyes
were Drown, wltn Jet black lashes and
brows, tho former bo thick and long that
when ho looked Into hor oyes ho thought
nf llro burning its way through shrub
bery. Her hair was brown, nnd grow In
waving lines around her brow, nnd tho
lino that marked its growth ut tho back
of her neck was as clearly defined as
though It had been drawn with n pencil.
This may seem n small matter to sjicnk
of, but It Is a great beauty In n womnn.
Her figure wns exceedingly well propor
tioned, and sho dressed with tho most
exquisite taste. With nil theso physical
attractions, bIio had an unusually bright
mind. Sho was constantly adding to her
storo of knowledge, nnd what sho know
sho know thoroughly. If sho had not
been a prima donna, sho would havo dis
tinguished herself in somo other walk in
life.
As to her character It was peculiar.
When Rush camo to know her intimate
ly ho told her sho waa tho most singular
combination of baby nnd woman ho had
over met, nnd bo bIio wns. Sho lived in
tho world, hut bIio was not n womnn of
tho world. Sho could not Bay ono thing
nnd menu nnothcr, and her friends used
to tell her that was an nccomplishmcntn
prima donna, of all persons, should pos
sess. Sho was credulous, yet suspicious;
sho was practical to a fault, yet senti
mental; sho seemed cold tn her nature,
yet sho unconsciously hungered for
love. Sho made friends easily nnd took
no pains to keep them, yet somehow or
other they stuck by hor. Sho was nt thi3
timo just n llttlo spoiled nnd with reason.
Tho town was at her feet. Thcro wasn't
n man, woman or child who would not
havo been proud to do her n favor.
Ladies vied with ono another In enter
taining her at their houses, young men
fought'for nn introduction and old men
toasted her nt their clubs. I bcllovo that
if sho had chosen to havo Union club
men pull her carriage instead of horses
they would havo humored her whim.
Everything new that camo out In tho
way of bric-a-brac, jewelry or books was
sent to her on tho instant by somo known
or unknown admirer. Artists painted
her tn their pictures und poets lauded
her in their lyrics. Sho had had so much
of this adoration that sho took it almost
as a thing of course; yet sho was pleased
by every new attention, nnd never tired
oven of tho flowers that wero showered
upon her. Guarded liko n hot houso
plant herself, tho breath of scandal had
novor blown towards her. You could
not look ut her nnd bcllovo that sho wns
otherwise than pure, nnd tho veriest old
rouo would havo found himself awed by
her Innocence. Yet sho was no prudo.
Sho was fond of tho society of men and
enjoyed u good timo us much ns any ono,
but alio was poisessed by n very strong
idea of what a woman should and should
not do. Her iosltlon mado it necessary
for her to bo particularly careful, nnd,
ulthough she was S3 years old, alio had
novcr entertained u man nlono In n room
in her llfo. Foreigners, with their ideas
of women on tho stngo,. could not under
stand her, but nono tho less they joined
with her countrymen in burning Incense
to her.
Helen Knowlton's parents had died'
when bIio was a baby, leaving her In
chargo of an aunt, Miss Rebecca Sand
ford, her mother's sister, who waa known
to half of Helen's friends and tho whole
musical profession as "Aunt Rebecca,"
This good lady was a dragon of virtue.
Sho looked uion her niece as a child and
treated her as such; and, as it w'as kind
ly treatment, ft had tho effect of keeping
her young, so that nt 23 alio waa as fresh
and youthful In her ideas as most girls
of 18. Agnt Robocca novcr lot "that
child" know any of tho business details
of her profession. Tho good lady stood
between her nlcco and tho managers.
Sho read the contracts; Helen signed
them. It was a shrowd manager who
could get tho better of her in a bargain,
and tho managers knew it and respected
her cleverness.
Thoro wero, naturally, a great many
visitors to tho llttlo Qothlo cottago in
West Twentieth street, whero tho prima
donna mado her homo; but thoy nil had
to pass tho oyo of Aunt Rebecca beforo
thoy could seo her nlcco, und oven then
tho matron seated herself In tho room,
lot tho visitor bo man, woman or child,
nnd novor loft till ho or sho had gono.
Sho did not always tnko part In tho con
versation, but would often busy herself
with a French novel (Aunt Rebecca was
vory partial to Georges Sand) and lot tho
young peoplo talk of tholr own uiTatrs.
It must bo confessed that sho rather
overdid tho guardianship at times; but if
any very intimate friend suggested this
sho would eays "I don't want to glvo
wagging tongues a chance. If uny gos
siping creature says such and such a
thing occurred nt such a timo I can re
ply: 'My friend, you lie, for I was
thero.'" Aunt Rebecca used sharp lan
guage at times; but, as sho Bald, "What
is tho uso of beating around tho bush?
You might us wclftmt tho dovll us drink
Ids broth."
Never having known uuythlng differ
ent, Helen was well satisfied with her
aunt's guardianship, and uover ques
tioned It. Sometimes sho would say to
her young friends, as they started out
for a walk in Fifth avenuo, "I envy you
your freedom to como and go aa you
filease, but I supposo whllo I am a pub
lo singer I must ucccpt the situation
and give up the usual uniuscuionU of
young women of my age," Bo she
would go back to her room and superin
tend tho making of a costumo with bo
much Interest that alio would forget nil
about tho ordinary pleasures of life, and
bo whofly wrapped up In tho dry details
of her profession. Sho studied hard
overy day, and oxcrclscd nnd nto as
carefully as an oarsman In training for
n race. Properly speaking, bIio had
novor had any childhood, as sho had
begun her studies when vory young and
had been singing sinco sho was in her
teens. Sho liked tho llfo of n singer nnd
bIio didn't liko it. Tho net of singing
wns of Itself n pleasure nnd thcro was
nothing In tho world so exciting to her
aa u largu nnd enthusiastic audience.
"If mi audience only know how much
better muslo It gets from nn artist when
It gives her something in return," sho
used to wiy, "1 think It would always
show u sympathetic spirit." Sho had llt
tlo to complain of on tho Bcoro of cold
ness in her audiences. In Now York sho
waa always treated ns though sho wero
tho particular favorite of overy auditor,
and tho applauso when shn camo upon
tho stago only censed that they might
hear her slug.
It is not surprising that a woman of
this sort Bhould havo had many admirers.
It wns Bald In society that sho could
marry any man sho wanted that thoy
all would only bo too happy to bestow
their hands and fortunes upon her, from
Undo Lightfoot Myers to that much
courted young man, Mr. West Hastings.
Aunt Rebecca smiled nt tho attentions
of Undo Lightfoot, but sho wns moro
sovero upon West Hnstlngs, though tho
latter was of a suitablo ago, had an in
como of eighty thousand dollars n year,
and was considered a most dcslrablo
parti altogether. Ho was looked upon
as a confirmed bacholor until ho met
Helen Knowlton, to whom ho began
paying dovotcd attentions very early tn
their acquaintance. Hastings was a
man or tuo world, a member of half a
dozen clubs, und lived moro liko a
European than do most Americans. He
had inherited his money, and had nover
dono a day's work in his llfo, which was
so much tho worso for him; but ho was
not so good-for-nothing ns aro many of
hia countrymen similarly gifted by for
tuno. It wns said that ho patronized tho
ballet in tho porsons of its premieres;
but, howover this may bo, you could
nover find a womnn In society who
would bellevo it, for thoro was nothing
in his manner to botoken that ho was
not a man of tho most exquisite refine
ment. If it had been Livingston Dash,
or Charlio Vernon, or any ono of half a
dozen other well known club men, who
had been so accused, the accusation
might havo been believed.
When ArchloTilllnghast told his cous
in Besslo Archer that ho had seen West
Hastings' coupe, with tho blinds up,
driving away from tho stngo door of
NIblo's Garden during tho run of "Tho
Black Crook," sho left tho room in indig
nation, and would hardly apeak to him
tho rest of the evening, though ho was
her escort to tho Charity ball. When it
becamo generally known that Hastings
was paying marked attentions to nden
Knowlton tho women Bald that sho
would do well to accept him; that a
marrlago with him would bo a brilliant
closo for a brilliant career; but somo of
tho men who know him best shook their
heads and Bald that, whllo West Hast
ings was a "good follow," ho was hardly
calculated to mako u good husband; that
ho would get tired of tho best woman in
tho world If ho waa married to her, and
they wanted to seo nden Knowlton
married to u man who would mako hor
happy to tho end of her days.
That Hastings was Interested In Miss
Knowlton is not surprising. Sho was
tho most feted woman In Now York, nnd
sho was tho ono woman whoso head was
not turned by his attentions. Ho had
been used to a different sort of woman
on tho stngo. Hero waa a prima donna
who was ns much of a lady and as puro
a woman ns his own sister. Ho began
by pouring tho ordinary compliments of
a man of the world into her ear (ho had
to do It In Italian, for Aunt Rebecca was
always on hand); but ho soon saw that
it uurcu uer, una iiiai sno was only in
terested when ho talked sense. Ho had
traveled far and wide, had heard tho
native muslo of many countries, and
could bo very interesting if ho chose.
Tliat sho listened to him best when ho
appeared to tho best advantago pleased
liitn. Indeed, sho pleased him alto
gether, for sho gavo him a now sensa
tion, and If thcro was anything in this
world that Hastings honestly loved, it
was a now sensation.
Ho was beginning to think that ho waa
In lovo with Helen Knowlton; and bo
ho was, to a certain extent. Ho thought
her cold, but ho ulso thought hor tho
most interesting person ho had over met;
and then ho liked to bo considered tho
favored suiter of tho most popular prima
donna In 1 ho country. It pleased htm
that tho men ut tho club called htm a
"lucky dog," and ho enjoyed hearing it
whispered, "That is West Hastings with
Miss Knowlton." "I bellovo I'll marry
that girl," ho would sometimes say to
himself, nover taking Into consideration
tho fact that "that girl" might rofuso to
marry htm. Thon ho would think of his
luxurious bacholqr quarters, of his por
foct freedom from all domestio ties, aud
ho wuld concludo to wait awhilo longer
boforo makinga formal olfer of marrlago,
behoving that he could occupy tho, flold
as long as ho cared to.
Helen Knowlton liked West Hastings
very much. Ho was uttentlvo and
amusing, and ho didn't ask hor to marry
htm, 1 think that If ho had put tho
question seriously sho would havo ro
fused him. Sho waa In lovo with hor
art. Muslo was tho only thing that re
alized hor Ideal. Sho looked upon men,,
tho llttlo sho saw of thom, aa pleasant
companions, that was all Muslo had
satisfied her longings up to this timo,
and Aunt Rebecca had Instilled Into hor
mind tho idea that men were a delusion
and a snaro; that her art waa tho only
thing upon which sho could rely.
"Tho moro you do for men, tho more
you may do," said that wise woman;
"but tho moro you do for art, tho more
art will do for you. Don't tell met I
haven't lived all these years among men
for nothing. They can't tako me tn, and
the never could," I don't think the
man over lived who could have been In
duced to tako Miss Rebecca Sauford In,
for ho would hnvo known that If ho did
so ho would havo to glvo tho reins Into
hor hands and resign tho driver's box
forever.
Aunt RebK.cn didn't Intend that hor
nlcco should murry, nt least for many a
long day, nnd her Influcnco was very
strong. Sho wouldn't say: "You mus'n't
know So und So," or try any of tho usual
means of keeping n girl from falling In
lovo: but sho would with her witty
tonguo put n man In so ridiculous n light
that Helen could novcr think of him
again without laughing. Aunt Rebecca
was very clover tn her way, and bIio was
moro than a match for her niece. If sho
had ouco given Helen a chauco to fall
seriously In lovo tho girl's attachment
would havo been too strong to bo shaken
by her shafts of ridicule But bIio did
not. When sho thought West Hastings
wus becoming a llttlo too uttcntivo bIio
naked Helen If alio had noticed how ho
picked nit tho truffles out of tho pnto and
put them on his own plate nnd selected
tho delicato bits of tho eclory for him
self. Helen had not noticed this, but sho
supposed that if her aunt said so it must
bo true.
Allllt ItplwyVJl ivnn nlll-fnrn rnnilw with
an nnecdoto against Hastings, which sho
torn wnu u goon naturcd laugh that en
tirely diverted suspicion. No ono know
why sho was so opposed to Holon's
marrying, oxcept that sho wanted hor to
mako oven moro of a career and add still
moro to her bank account And hn
really did not bcllovo that a womnn was
any happier for bolng married, "Mar
rlago Is a lottery, whero all tho tickets
aro blanks," sho would say; and sho got
her nlcco to bo very much of her opinion.
In tho caso of West Hastings, Aunt Re
becca's plan was to Impress Helen with
tho Idea that ho was n selfish old bachelor
(ho was only 00), nnd overy llttlo thing
ho did thnt might bo regarded ns selfish
sho mngnifled. Ho was a selfish man,
thcro is no doubt about that Most
wealthy bachelors aro. Thoy havo had
fow or nono of tho experiences that aro
supposed to sweeten a man's disposition.
Hastings had ovorythlng In tho world
that ho wanted, und ho wua novor crossed
In any of his pleasures. It piqued him a
llttlo that Helen Knowlton did not scorn
to bo moro impressed by his attentions,
but ho novcr for n moment dreamed that
ho would bo unsuccessful In n acrlous
suit of that young woman.
At tho timo Rush Hurlstono saw him
escorting Miss Knowlton to her car
riage at tho stago door of tho
Academy of Music moro than ono
half of society thought that ho waa
engaged to bo married to her, though
neither of tho persons most interested
had heard tho rumor. Aunt Rebecca
took a wlso courso In tho Hastings
affair. From tho day Helen first met
him at Besslo Archer's "coming out"
ball alio showed a greater liking for him
than for unv mnn she had mot lwfnrn
and tho astute Miss Huudford said to her
self, "To break this off 1 must bo dlplo
matic. It novcr does to opposo young
peoplo openly in raattcra of this sort.
Let him como to seo her. I will atop
him from going too far if I can, and if I
can't I shall nccopt tho altuatlon graco
fully (ho has eighty thousand dollars a
year) nnd consider myself shelved for
tho rest of my days. But I don't pro
poso to let him go too far. 1 don't bco
myself shelved ut my timo of life."
Aunt Rebecca enjoyed tho business de
tails of tho operatic profession ns much
as her nlcco did tho nrtlstio narL To
outwit tho managers was aa exciting to
uer ns a gnmo or cness is to somo people,
aud bIio loved to plan a winter's cam
paign. No traveling was too hard for
her, not oven n "jump" from Boston to
Chicago. Sho could mako herself as
happy tn n car na In a drawing room.
Her mind was on tho callonnll thn tlmn.
and it could work as well in ono placoaa
in nnotucr; inuocu, alio contended that
tho motion of a train onlv stimulate! )mr
thoughts. Helen was naturally of un
actlvo disposition, but sho had grown
Passivo under hcrnunt'adominntfno-lnflit.
enco, and did not assort herself as much
as biio should havo dono. Onco In a great
whllo sho would rebel, but it was a mora
flash In tho pan. Fow pcoplo who did
not know nden Knowlton can imaglno
such a person, and thoro is no doubt that
sho was an oxcoption to tho rulo of
womanhood.
Just at tho timo of which I write, sho
wasubsorbed in tho study of hor now
part, und tho thousand und ono things
that had to bo attended to boforo tho
ovontful night on which tho now opera
was to bo produced. Every ono in Now
York who had a plcturo or a book relat
ing in uny way to Helen of Troy sent it
to her, nnd nil took a personal interest
in tho presentation of tho opera, Tho
night was drawing near. Tho Saturday
inntlnco was postponed that alio might
got moro rest and study, and thoro waa
to bo a full dress rohearsal on Sunday,
to which tho critics of tho press and a
favored fow woro to bo invited. Monday
night was tho great night, nnd you may
Imagine that she waa moro or loss nerv
ous In anticipation. Undo Lightfoot
Myers sent hor a sot of gold bands for
hor hair, with hla best wishes for hor
success, and West Hastings sent hor a
beautlfufry wrought goldon girdle, with
tho inscription, "And, liko another
Helen, fired another Troy," engraved on
tho insldo.
It seemod as though overy ono in Now
York wnnted to have somo part in tho
production of tho opera beyond tho moro
buying of scats. In that thoy wero gen
erous enough, for everything in tho
houso was bought up tho day tho box
office opened. Monday came, Thoro
waa a flurry of spring snow tn tho morn
ing, but by afternoon It was bright and,
clear. Helen did not get up until 13
o'clock. Sho nto tho lightest sort of
breakfast, and nt 4 had a heartier meal.
All day long sho waa not allowed to,
apeak which was no deprivation, as sho
did not' feel liko it, bolng too much ox
cited for words. At 7 o'clock tho car
riage wiw ut tho door, and sho was
driven to tho Academy with Aunt Re
becca and her mold. For the next hour
everything was confusion in the drcss-i
Ing room at the foot of the little stair
way. Stitches that had- dropped had
