The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-05-31
CHAPTER VII,
lDAS oEAous wrR.

Ip'AH Rous FOL Low Err.
Time passes, and some two mouth. have
elapsed since the visits of the Duke dc
Bridgenorth and Lsrd Dunbar,on 10 the
Boar's Head Inn. Within that period
Mademoiselle Meyser had many times APP
peared at the St. James Theatre, and at
each successive advent, gained, if possible,
still warmer plaudits from apprccia,irc
audiences. The two noblcmen friends had
been amid the frequentcrs of theatre; out
neither had appeared, to the other, to wish
to prosecute further acquaintance with
the beautiful actress. On tie contrary,
each had yelled their feelings with such
earcfulness that none would have supposed
tho hearts Of each were filed with n,ens.
est emotions Of alteration toward Made
moiselle Meyser. But such was the case ;
though tho principles Of cacl, nollenau
led them to far different modes Of action.
Since that meeting between the Duke
de Bridgenorth and the beautiful actres,
in.the home Of the latter, the duke had
not sought her presence again when he
bcheld her in public at the theatre; but
Lord Edgar Duubarlou, though he knew
hot that the landlady Of the Boar's Head
Jun and Madc,noisclle Aleyser were one
aud the same personages, had cudeavored
TO pursue a farther acquaintance with
Dalue Jennie by frequent visits TO her
husbands inn, making plausible excuses
for stopping there rcfreshmclt as a plea
for his calls. But, since that day when
he surprised her alone, and she had re-
pulsed his attempts at further acquain-
tancc, the poblsman had not beheld the
dame save in the presence Of others; and
consequently, bad been frustrated in at.
tanning the object ofhis visits. In regard
also to gaining on introduction to her in
the character Of Mademoiselc Meyser, he
had also been doomed to disappointment !;
for when he succeeded in gaining tho
presence Of Monsieur Dulgarno, he bad
failed Of gaining his ranction to an &c.
quaintance with the actress. Instead,
sionsieur Dalgarno had assured him tina.
i was net only the lady's wish. but bis
own, that shs should remain in strict Sc
clusiou when Oft the stays; and so Lord
Dunbarton had been forced, for the time,
foreman content With viewing Mudcmoi-
selle Meyser from his box at the theatre,
and THROWN. her costly and rare boque's
a. some slight expression Of his feelings
toward her.
A we have said befole, the period #
two months had elapsed ;u'.lis manner,
and the spring had drawn nigh thus put.
ting terminus upon the fashionable
amusements Of London aud to Madcmoi-
selle Meyser's appearance upon the stage.
But. before her ipal departure. there was
= .b,oome benefit for The beautiful actress,
and tho papers announced that pleasing
intelligence to the London world; and
again dense, crowded house was gath
cred for the purpose Of witnessing the
presentations Of the beautiful and admired
star.
Amid this crowd. as usual. were Assem-.
bled our noblcmen friends-Lord Dunbar
ton, his cousin, Mordaunt, and tic Duke
de Bridgenortb. The former and latter
were together, but the two other lords were
seated beside the two fair ladies whom they
had escorted, and we're at some distance
from our two noblsmcn who occupied Lord
Dunbarton's prosceuium box over the
stage.
The curtain rose. and the actress APP
peared amid shouts Of welcome and a rain
Of flowers, and then her role for the eve
ming began; while the breathless attention
Uf the audience, and their strained, eager
gaze, attested the faveritism of the ''star'
who reigned, queen ofhearts, before them
shosang tho while her feet kept time to
the measures Of her voice and her grace.
full movements held all eyes unclaimed,
while all ears drank in The liquid melody
that gurgled from her lips.
But We will not lnger 10 recount tho
triumphs Of that genius which kept vast
audience cnthrallcd for three consecutive
hours. When tho last song had been
sung--,he last pa,see been made, mud the
curtain fell, Madcmoisellc IIeyser wa.
called out to receive the floral tributes
heapcd at her feet and she received gifts
cheers, and praises alike, with such sim.
plicity Of min aud perfect, almost child.
like grace AMI modesty, that all were
charmed afrcsh, and again and again the
arched roof Of the royal theatre rung will
applause.
Dunbarton had not been The only noble.
man who attempted to gain an introduction
to ala belle Nleyser," but the strictncss o.
the actress had hindered bis and ,hcil
success; and this course Of conduct b.
which she kept aloof from all followers aud
admirers, had only added to her popular.
ity, while her desired ineognita was kept
unbroken. None knew, or dreamed that
the star Of the London boards was The wife
Of the plain. quiet, elderly host Of the un.
pretentious h0stclrie in an obscure portion
Of the great metropolis.
On this evening the curtain fell for Tue
last time in the season; and when the
crowd dispersed, all carried with them
some memory Of the fascinating actress
representations. i0'