The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-10-14

interval the invalid found a fresh bou-
quet upon the table by her bed. AT
first she refused to look at them, think
irs that they were but new importuni-
ties from him whom she so utterly de-
tested. But this was not the case, as
she shortly found. The timely lesson to
the young libertine had proved favora-
BILE to her and useful to him. He never
troubled Bessie again. Therefore the
flowers were not from him.
"Who could it be?" she asked the
nurse; but she professed ignorance, ard
stated that the bouquets were left on the
doorstep early every morning.
Finally, Bessie was able TO attend to
duty once more. Wuat pleasure it was
to meet the kindly greetings of her
friends, as she appeared at the first re-
hearsal. Each member of the company
strove to outdo the other in little atten-
tions. One brought her a seat near the
wings; another drew her shawl closer
around her shoulders, fearing that she
would catch cold. Poor Jacken, the
dwarfed call-boy, insisted on bringing
her little warm port wine--his panacea
for every trouble. The manager greeted
her, and told her that her fortune was
assured; he was about to produce new
sensational drama, in which she was cast
as the heroine. In fact, her cup of JOY
seemed full to the brim. No relation
that to Jacken's panacea, for that had
been disposed of with many thanks, al
which the poor fellows face turned red
to the tops of his ponderous ears.
rl.o I.x, Coz the hao rool nf tho nax
play arrived. In the last scene, telling
effect was to be produced, while the
heroine was thrown from a precipice by
the villain of the piece. In falling, she
lodges in a pine tree, which saves hel
life, while he, losing his balance, topple.
from the cliff and is slain.
"Tll try that tree myself first, Miss
Bessie" suggested the call-boy, "to SEE
that it is secure. Mr.. Jones, will you &c
through the business with meT
Certainly; although / don't think
that you make charming substitute fol
the heroine" laughed the heavy man.
So up the scaffolding they went. The
struggle ensued. The orchestra gave
the chord, and, with heavy lunge, the
dwarf fell in the abyss.
A shrek nsued from the ladies, and
the strong men sickened. The villain
paused in horror, for the tree had broken
and poor Jacken fell through the traT
with harsh thud.
Friends hastened to his aid, and he
was borne to the stage, stunned and
bleeding. The doctor of the theater
who was present, shook his head.
His spine is broken" he said; "hu
man aid can not save him."
go, don't say sol" moaned Bessie, who
was wiping the blood from deep wount
in the poor boys head.
The closed eyes opened, and happy
light Lit their vision.
ats all over, Miss Bessie" he mur
INJURED, "and l don't know but what
am glad of it,"
"Poor boy, poor boy" she said, smooth
ing back his curling hair.
Mother used to do that, and hel
touch was no gentler than yours. o,
am so glad"
Bessie's tears ratified down on the up
turned face.
"Don't cry" he said /; "it's better a
it is. You never could have loved M
as loved you. and l am not more shape
less now than / should have been had
lived. Would you kiss me Once-Onc
for the flowers l left you when l fearet
that you, too, must die"
Bessie pressed kiss on the lips of tn
dying boy, and with that last benisol
the wandering spirit sought its God.