Texas Democrat. (San Marcos, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 30, 1897 Page: 4 of 8
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CHAPTER V.—(Continued.)
‘iumaion up your fortitude, my love,
I beseech you, for I am deeply inter-
ested in the accomplishment of our
purpose. I have an uneasy conscious-
ness of a brewing tempest, and if it he
possible I wish to ascertain in what
Quarter to mistrust treachery.”
“If you remain undaunted I shall be
eurg to keep my courage.”
“Go then, my love, to prepare a warm
mantle, and we will take our dinner
upstairs, and the moment the tray is
removed we will slip, away unperceived
into *the garden, from which it will be
ess/ to steal across the lawn,; since
none of the servants venture out after
cunget.”
“Mamma,” whispered Lady Felicie,
as j^oon as she found breathy ‘‘M..Pierre
majjphuve seen us. as we crossed the
terrace.” ^
“No, my love,” answered the coun-
tess triumphantly. ■ “From my retreat
in tife rear I saw him emerge from that
long/uiiused door under the portico; he
locked it carefully behind him, and
stole along through the shrubbery like
a guilty creature.. He had something
under his arm, too; he has half an hour
at least the advantage over us, but I
hope to discover something concerning
his movements before we return.”
“Ahd you are not afraid?” queried
Lady Felicie in a trembling voice.
“Ah, my child, does not love for her
young make the tigress fight desperate-
ly against fearful odds? Will not the
gentlest and most timid of the oru
creation dare anything to protect their
offspring from menacing danger? I
have an instinctive fear that peril is at
hand; for myself I should be little
alarmed; for your sake, my Felicie, I
am ready to brave anything.”
Lady Felicie pressed her hand warm-
ly, but she still trembled.
“I am not sure that I am more afraid
of M. Pierre if he discovers us than
of the ghostliest ghost that was ever
seen.”
“He is the more dangerous person,
certainly; but we will not be seen. You
said Jeannot put you into a place com-
pletely screened with vines. Can you
find it again?”
“Oh, yes; keep hold of my hand,
mamma, and I will lead you thither.”
They passed on the rest of the way
in silence, walked very swiftly till they
reached the low underbrush, and keep-
ing as much as possible in the shade of
the trees.
Felicie drew her breath more quiver-
ingly as they gained the woods, but
went on steadily to the same retreat in-
to which Jeannot had introduced her.
They were scarcely settled there be-
fore the crackling boughs announced
an approach.
The two watchers held their breath,
. and peered forward.
The same dark figure with the
shovel, the slow pace and weird accom-
panying light—this time it was passing
into the wood.
The countess, holding her daughter’s
hand firmly, stepped out from her hid-
ing place asi soon as it had passed a
short distance beyond them.
Lady Felicie hung back a moment,
obeying the somewhat impatient com-
. mand of the countess, who whispered
cautiously:
“Do not spoil all, Fflicie; come with
me, or I shall follow alone.”
“Oh, mamma, suppose it turns
around and sees us?” returned Felicie,
in the same suppressed voice.
“I chnnot help it; I will know who
and what it is; but the shade on this
side will prevent our detection if we
step cautiously.”
And the heroic countess trod lightly
on the mossy bank, taking care to
avoid the drier and more rustling path-
way, and left her daughter to follow
behind her.
The luminous circle in which the
dark figure walked was their guide, for
as they advanced the gloomy darkness
deepened. It paused at length and was
stationary for a few seconds.
The countess, holding her pistol with
desperate firmness, passed on to the
utter horror of Lady Felicie, who dared
not, however, remain behind.
Nearer and nearer to the mysterious
figure advanced the two ladies. Lady
Felicie’s heart beat suffocatingly, hut
the countess compelled herself to be
sternly calm, when just as they seemed
Suddenly Felicie, half dead with fear,
seized her arm. She turned hastily,
and behold! some distaiice down . the
path was the same figure retrac-
ing his steps; it seemed like some spec-
tre watchman on his rounds.
Even the stout hehrt of the countess
was appalled. But another involun-
tary exclamation from Felicie gave her
renewed courage.
Behold! from the opposite direction
came another,, figure, dark cloaked,
spade equipped, likewise attended by
the floating circle of light.
“What!”' thought the countess, “two
ghosts, possibly three, and at this early
hour? Now am I certain that this has
a deeper significance than ever.”
“Mamma, mamma!” implored Felicie,
“what -will become of us?”
“We must secrete ourselves some-
where. Don’t, tremble so, my precious
one, there, is .time for us to retreat.V
The words, died off! from her lips as
'a strange voice suddenly exclaimed:'
“Trust yourselves with me—there, is
not a moment,to lose.”
From whence did it come, the ground
or the skies? Poor Felicie was beyond
shrieking; her heart stood still, and
she felt .a cold chill creeping over her
whole frame.
But the countess, struggling for
calmness, though her voice shook, an-
swered:
“Who are you—and where?”
.‘A friend; one whom you need never
fear to trust. Come!”
As if by magic, the great tree trunk
against which the countess leaned,
yawned, and there stood the dark fig-
ure who had so strangely disappeared.
Come in hither quickly and you are
safe.”
Still
The three laughed coarsely.
“We haven’t got a very mean for-
tune stowed, away already,” observed
Jaques. “I tell you what, comradei
Pierre, you have managed the thing
famously. You ought to go to Paris,
and take a hand there.”
“Perhaps I shall, when the outbreak
comes; to tell the truth, the peasants
of the Languedj^Jands owe me a little
Idn’t care to remain
tain control. They
the count compels
SOME QUEENS OF SONG
WOMEN WHO ARE BECOMING
OLD FAVORITES.
grudge, and I
here when the
don’t consider
me to be bar
“I shouldn’
in that
I don’t douj
limb from,
“You wj
shouldn’
you kno
“What,I
wench, the!
“Yes, :
me. It’s
them.”
stand in his shoes
the other man.
will tear him
r the girl, if I
,he’s my prize,
re.
she’s a comely
as a queen to
■ that I mean to
take possessioiirof her, after her par-
ents are killed/', replied M. Pierre, in
a fierce tone. ’•
Felicie reached forward and grasped
her mother’s icy cold fingers; their
unseen companion clenched his hand
wrathful ly.
M. Pierre went on:
“I’ve brought some more of the plate
tonight. The count’s keeping away is
a store of luck for us. They don’t
think of using .he richest service at all,
and no one j[||itjks after it. It was . a
bright ide? IteLng the ghost. They
their own shadow,,
f attending to half
Tnoment the sun sets
feu ventures out of the
ubt if the peasants.
'3s. The field is left
C*ark of the Bostonians a Gradu-
ate of the Church Choir—Marie Dona-
vln a Lovely Picture
Grace—Nita Carritte.
of Feminine
though the other apparitions
were rapidly nearing, the countess hes-
itated.
‘Who are you?” repeated she again.
He reached forward, and whispered,
a name in her ear.
“Come, Felicie!” exclaimed the lady,
and the daughter was strangely thrilled
by the blended relief and sadness of her
voice. ■
They stepped, both of them, into
what seemed a circular closet, and the'
weird, brownie doorway closed after
them.
Their unseen companion pointed out
several holes in the gnarled trunk,
whispering: , <§*
‘ There are conTenient*wimlows; you
may still watch your friends, if it is
for that you ventured here.”
CHAPTER VI.
HE space allowed
only close quarters,
and Felicie could
hear her mother
breathing heavily.
■ “Mamma,” whis-
pered she, “you are
ill?” . and gaining
courage herself at
the seeming pros-
_____ _ tration of1 her
mother, she added
cheerfully, “I am certain we may trust
this gentleman, whoever he is, and the
moment they are gone we can return
to the chateau.”
“No, my child, I am not ill, nor in
the least frightened. I rest secure and
confident.”
“Is that quite true?” whispered the
stranger.
“Entirely,” was the low response.
“Thank you. I hope the darkness
does not trouble you, nor the closeness
of the air. I might give you light, but
it would betray our retreat. But, hush!
they are approaching. The rendezvous
is at the other tree.”
The countess bent her eye to the
little aperture, and plainly discerned
three figures, all alike, so that one
might be readily taken for the other.
They sat down, not two yards from
the . tree which sheltered: their unsus-
pected watchers.
“Well, Jaques, what news tonight?”
said M. Pierre’s dry, rasping voice;
“how goes on the cause?”
“Gloriously, comrade! Paris is’all
in a ferment, and the fever is spread-
ing through the country. What think
you—a great company of them went
out to that tyrant Louis’ palace, and
compelled him to consent to some of
the Assembly’s requirements. A few
more such riots, and the whole thing is
to reach it—lo! light, figure and all had 1 done, so^say a host of the^ leaders. Then
vanished.
The countess stood motionless, pet-
rified with astonished dismay. Her
daughter scarcely knew whether to feel
relieved, or more deeply terrified.
“What can it mean?” whispered the
countess; “this seems incredible. I
saw him so plainly just here by this
huge tree, and as if by magic he has
vanished entirely. He certainly could
not have passed on—that is impossi-
hurrah for a republic! We will make
our proud masters drink of the cup
they would have given to us.”
“You are quite sure it is true?” ques-
tioned M. Pierre, cautiously. “There
will be no mistake about it?”
“Not a hit of it. Jaques came direct
from Paris to Frejus. Why, they have
killed half a dozen of the aristocratic
upholders already; they are expecting
a general rise every night; the king
himself suspects it, for he attempted to
are all a
and don’t'
their duty,
not a soul o
chateau, and !
leave their cot^
clear to us.
“It is cleverly^Pnanaged, Comrade, 1
grant you that1! I have brought
some more pikes. We must bury these,
too. But I reckon they won’t lie long
in the ground. If the' signs don’t fail,
it won’t be a month before we are
masters here.”
“Do you know what the signal will
be?”
“All whom we dared to trust’ But
we must wait for the tide to set in from
Paris. There are hundreds ready tp
spread the spirit through the country
when, the scheme is ripe.”
“I have spoken for a fishing smack
to wait for me off St. Thomas,” said
M. Pierre, at length.
“What is that for?”
“To take the treasure to safety, and
maybe I shall go too.”
“That is queer. I should think you
would stay to see the fun out.”
“Maybe; but I shall want to take
Lady Felicie away.”
“She’ll have to leave off the Tadjd
precious soon, I’m thinking. But come,
if we are to bury the pikes and the sil-
ver, it’s time to attend to the digging.
Jolly ghosts are we! It was rare sport
for me to throw my brimstone around
when that old demented Jeannot was
coming toward me.”
“We must thank him for the idea; I
should never have thought of it but for
him, I believe you won’t be able to
turn the old dotard; he’ll stand up for
that proud woman and her daughter
to the last minute; I earn swear, to,
that.”' '
“Then he will get knocked over him-
self, that’s all,” was the brutal re-
joiner.
When the coast was once more clear
thq countess exclaimed fervently:
“Thank Heaven that I was prompted
to come. I shall at least know where
to look for my enemy. Oh, why does
the count linger in Paris?”
“Because he could not leave. An
edict has gone forth from the Assembly
prohibiting any one from leaving Paris.
It will not hinder him long, however. I
left means for their escape, and you
may expect them,any moment now.”
“You are so kind,” faltered the
countess. t
“It is all I live for, except to see poor
France cleared from a weight of tyran-
ny,” was the sad-toned reply. “I learn-
ed of this conspiracy through a com-
rade of Jaques, in Paris, and have cau-
tiously watched their movements. A
blessed accident revealed to me the
hollow trunk of this huge tree. I went
to work cautiously and sawed out the
door, fitting it with secret hinges. I
have excavated a lateral passage below.
See, this board can be lifted. There
will be a comfortable and safe retreat
under ground ^jjjst below that huge <
wore. I shall store
.'or you and
H E o u 11 o o k for
grand opera in
New York next
season is at pres-
ent rather doubt-
ful. Owing to the
heavy losses sus-
tained by • the Ab-
bey & Grau com-
pany while in the
western cities, and
the determination
of their most popular singers to re-
main abroad next year, these managers
are discouraged at the prospects for
Franco-Italian opera. Jean and Ed-
ouard De Reszke (who have been the
backbone of the Metropolitan com-
pany) have announced their intention
of singing, exclusively in Europe next
year, and so has Calve, while Melba
will be heard with Damrosch next sea-
son.
The Bostonians, famous for so many
years as ,the best light opera organiza-
tion in this country, also of “Robin
Hood” fame, have made a long stay in
New York this spring, delighting largb
audiences with the new opera by Vic-
tor Herbert and Harry B. Smith. “The
Serenade” must be seen to be appre-
ciated, for it has some extraordinary
“The Serenade” is wholly. satisfying
as a genuine comic opera.
Among the many American singers
who returned from their European
studies last fall in quest of concert en-
gagements, and public approval, Miss
Marie Donavin has perhaps been the
most foitunate. Miss Donavin ww
selected as soloist for Gilmore’s band,
on their tour last fall, and sang with
great success in many Gities where
they appeared. Ohio claims Miss Don-
avin as its own, and she certainly
possesses much of the cleverness and
ambition for which the representatives
from her state seem to be noted. On
the concert platform she presents a
most lovely picture of feminine grace
and beauty, which, added to her bird-
like voice, makes her particularly
pleasing. , Her voice is sweet, pure in
quality, and very flexible. It is young
as she is in art, but there is
evidently much gained, and much
to be gained, by this talented
songstress. Miss Donavin has many
social admirers and will undoubtedly
win many artistic admirers with study
and experience.
Among the most noticeable of recent
appearances was that of Mile. Nita
Carritte, an acknowledged grand opera
prima donna, who sacrificed an envi-
able European operatic position to
come to this country to join the
“Opera Comique” company the firm of
Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau proposed es-v
tablishing in New York. The failure
of this opera comique did not cause
Mile. Carritte to like America any the
less and she remained here, singing
in many concerts and drawing rooms,
also in several light operas with much
HILDA CLARK.
and unique points. The music is de-
lightful—just enough Spanish coloring
to lend charm and dash to it and yet
maintai j. the genuine Herbert ring.
The orchestration, solos, and concerted
numbers, from overture to finale are
all excellent. Every now and then the
orchestra breaks forth in such droll
little suggestive- snatches, it is quite
laughable without the aid of the li-
bretto. In fact it is all so musically
satisfying it is refreshing. Miss Hilda
Clark, who ha.s been identified with
the company as prima donna for about
a year, still makes most beautiful
photographs and has gained 'much in
acting and stage presence. She was
very young when she made the step
from a prominent church choir to the
you and your
ble days come I
1 are able to es-
. Innocent and
are, you will be
your connection
’doc, unless I save
pju!” ejaculated Lady
ble, and be is not here that is equal- #escape, but they brought him back in
ly certain.” : triumph.”
“Then our plans may safely go on?”
“To be sure. Make certain of all the
treasure you can; it won’t be long be-
fore the whole peasantry will come for-
ward to take their share. What harm
in looking out for ours ahead?”
“Oh, mamma, if it were really a
ghost!”
“I do not believe in ghosts, Felicie,”
was the dry response.
And still the countess looked around
h£r anxiously.
rock, in two
food there,
daughter,
dread—co
cape from!
noble hea
sacrificed
with Count
you.”
“Heaven ble^
Felicie,
The countess struggled a moment
with herself, and'then said, firmly:
“You must save the count, likewise,
or I shall not stir a step from the
chateau!”
“If it be possible. I will do my
best,” was the grave reply.
“Now I can exclaim also—Heaven
bless you. Emile!” sobbed the countess.
“Emile!” exclaimed: Lady Felicie,
"oh, mamma, is it Emile? How I wish
it were not dark!” fr
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
MARIE DONAVIN.
stage, and her voice has not been im-
proved by the step. Naturally Miss
Clark had a most beautiful voice and
it is a pity she did not give it a less
severe strain than that inevitable in
comic opera. Bright, piquante Miss
Neilsen is one of the song birds from
the south, her home being in Tennes-
see. She sings and acts the double
role in “The Serenade” with all the
spirit imaginable; had this part been
written for her, both composer and
artiste could not have made a hap-
pier selection. Other members of the
company also seem to be particularly
suited to their respective parts, and
success. When touring with the Car!
Rosa Opera company, Mile. Carritte
was very successful as Mignon and
Carmen, the latter role creating re-
markable enthusiasm wherever she
sang it. Mile. Carritte possesses a
rich beauty of the oriental type, the
irresistible charm of her French an-
cestors, .and is a most brilliant guest
or hostess. Her charming artistic
apartments in New York are filled with
tion of her artistic triumphs. Mile,
Carritte has become an immense fa-
vorite in society, where she is often
heard, and some day she will undoubt-
edly again reign in opera comique.
A most clever, attractive and re-
markable little artiste has lately been
gaining much attention in musical cir-
cles in New York. Miss Nina Ber-
tini Humphries is clever, because she
has a repertory of twenty-four grand
operas, the principal oratorios, and in-
numerable songs; is a remarkably
good actress, and the mistress of foui;
languages. Added to this. Miss Hum-,
phries has a voice of great beauty^
volume, and flexibility, which she uses
with the utmost intelligence. She is.
attractive because of her refined, in-,
teresting features and pretty, graceful
carriage; and remarkable because she
has accomplished such a vast amount
of work in her short life. Her work
in this country has been principally
in opera, and with the Heinrich Opera
company Miss Humphries became well
known and greatly admired through-
out the country. She has also sung
with the orchestras of Theodore Thom-
as and Anton Seidl, and in England
with the Garl Rosa Grand Opera com-
pany. Miss Humphries has received
innumerable criticisms from various
sections, of this country and Europe,
many sufficiently lauatory to have
quite turned her head, were she not as
sensible as she is clever. She is of
Irish descent, in fact, born in Ireland,
but educated abroad and in this coun-
try.—Peterson’s Magazine.
A fortunate speculation enabled a
te&egraph operator in Cleveland to
corn® out fifty dollars ahead. To keep
his wealth a secret from his wife, he
concealed it in his watch case. Two
days afterward he was waylaid on tha
street by footpads, who ran off with
the watch, with a fifty dollar bill naat-
ly folded therein.
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Watson, Daniel. Texas Democrat. (San Marcos, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 30, 1897, newspaper, September 30, 1897; San Marcos, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth614260/m1/4/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State University.