Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-02-12

me-"
Mrs. Park Brentz gnawed her lips with
rage, as she halfsupported her charge to
seat, near which Irving Mcdonald was stand
ing.
The drop-curtain had fallen, and the scene
shifters we're busily engaged in moving can
vas structures and making new scenes. They
were noisy and energetic and no one over.
heard the following conversation between the
trio.
"What is the matter with Miss Halstead p
said Irving Mcdonald, addressing himself to
the actress.
Lide did not reply. She couldn More
over, she trusted that Mrs. Park Brentz would
speak for her; but the chaperon also main
tained profound silence.
Mcdonald stood looking from one to anoth-
er, awaiting a response.
"My head aches horribly, and am hoarse, "
Lide ventured, at last.
"Indeed? ?? answered Mcdonald, struggling
his shoulder and nodding his handsome head
in doubling way; "you are foolish, young
lady! You should have more courage!-
more courage!'
"That is the text of my sermon to her every
day, sir" said Mrs. Park Brentz, in an impa-
tient, halfdistracted tone "but might as
we'll cry advice into the ears of stone. o,
Mr.. Mcdonald if
But Mrs. Park Brentz said nothing more.
She broke off her remark abruptly for Lide
had tightly grasped her arm, and in low
voice was imploring her to cease talking.
"Come to your dressing-room, Lide Hal
stead" said the chaperon; then turning to
Mcdonald, added in an under tone, 81 will
be back in moment. I have something l
wish to tell you"
Mcdonald nodded his head, but remained
silent, while Lide, leaning heavily on Mrs.
Park Brentz's shoulder, slowly disappeared
behind one Of the side-scenes.
Presently, the elder woman returned with
face flashing with resolution and malignity.
"Mr. Mcdonald" she said, in her quick,
emphatic way, while her keen eyes fastened
themselves upon his calm face; "Mr. McDon-
aid, may trust you implicitly l con-
fide in your"
He put his hand over his heart and bowed
with profound and elegant grace. MADAM,
1 am man of honor. You may trust me
implicitly without fear"
II felt certain of your answer before you
gave it" she said, aaably; "and am equal
ly certain that you will bestow your sympathy
upon your protSgs. This Mrs Cecilia Fessen-
den is killing Lide Halstead-she is crushing
her to the earth" Saying so much, the chap
eron paused expecting Mcdonald to pass a
comment; but not word did he utter, and
after a seconds pause she continued with ex-
cited bitterness 81 can't tell why it is; the
woman is not more beautiful than Miss Hal
stead, and yet her simple presence in her box
every night, is running reignng actressP
call that you say is true" agreed McDon-
aid; "but Mrs. Cecilia Fessenden has inter-
fered with Miss Lide Halstead in an affair of
far more consequence than the mere question
of physical lovelness. She has given the
girls heart stab. Mrs. Fessenden, you know,
is au fait in wounding loving hearts," Here
he broke out in grim little laugh that had
curse hidden in its melodious intonations.
"Given her heart stab? How, pray-if
I may ask!" Mrs. Park Brentz looked per-
picked
"Fudge! Mrs. Brentz! Do you mean to
tell me, seriously, that you, who have been
constantly associated with Lide Halstead-
you, who are her chaperon- never sus-
pected that she had secret, or what that Sc
cret was? Why l have known it an age!
"A secret? Indeed, I am in the dark !!
What is it?" Mrs. Park Brentz looked still
more astounded and astonished.
"She loves this Kcntuckian-this Cad
bury"
"What? Lide Halstead love young Cad
bury, who runs after the widow Fessenden, as
every body knows?" She shook her head
with gesture of utter doubt.
"That'sit Mrs Brentz that isjust it, mad
am," said Mcdonald, nterrupting the woman
excitedly; "Gadbury runs after the Fessen-
den That's just the proper term. Andjust
because he does, is the reason that Lide Hal
stead's heart has been stabbed! And just for
this same reason, Cecilia Fessenden dealt the
blow. Do speak comprehensively?"
20, no, no! 1t surely cannot be-" said
Mrs. Park Brentz, still in manner of the
most emphatic doubt.
"But | say that speak the truth! I knoau
lido :" said Mcdonald, with an imperious air,
not to be denied.
"You are certain, Mr.. Mcdonald Then
you are wiser than I and I would really like
to know the basis upon which you found your
knowledge. You are wiser than I, and yet
am her constant companion" Mrs. Park
Brentz held her head high, and looked sulky.
81 am close observer I have watched
more narrowly than you, because had the
most particular reason for so doing. There
are thousand signs by which this artless and
unhappy young woman shows her love for
Gadbury, and her grief and despair at his in
difference"
Mrs. Park 3rentz sat there, biting her nails
and rejecting while in silence-not gravely
or sympathetically, for the battles of the soul
poor Lide had yet to fght-but bitterly,
wickedly.
Mcdonald studied her face variously, and
then bending nearer, said in half:whisper-
"If I read your expression Alright, you like
the widow just about as much as Lide Hal
stead or I like her"