Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-03-23
MY God you hare killedhim,' whis-

pered Bessie.
Not much loss, miss. But the devil
aids such AZ he. He 10 worth a score
Of dead men yet. But let us hasten OF
he may recover, and be would make i.
as hot as hades for me-
Half an hour later Bessie sat watch.
ing ber delirious mother. As she re.
moved and replaced the icy cloths upon
the bursting forehead she ererand anon
applied herself to learning IL. part she
must be perfect in on the morrow. Not
q wink of sleep was hers that night, and
when she esappeared at rehearsal the red
eyes and feverish cheeks told of that
studious vigil by her mothers bed.
That night Bessie Darling took the
town by storm.
The play was ended.
The curtain rang down on q heart
that little reckoued the floral offerings
or the loud applause that called her be-
fore the green scene; for, as she return
cd to the prompter's box, news reached
Bessie that her mother was dead.
The reaction was terrible. The poor
girl was stricken down herself, and when
the mother was buried by the kindly
members Of the company, the daughter
was nearly fit subject to occupy the
same resting place.
Time passed, and slowly the young
girl recovered. Each day during the
interval the invalid found fresh bou-
quet upon the table by her bed. At
FIRST she refused to look at them, think
ing they were but new opportunities
from him whom she so utterly detested.
But this was not the case, as she short
ly found. The timely lesson. to the
young hbertine had proved favorable to
her and useful to him. He never trou-
bled Bessie again. Therefore the fow-
ers were not from him.
'Who could it be ? she asked the
nurse; but she professed ignorance, aud
stated that the bouquets were left on
the doorstep early every morning.
Finally Bessie was able to attend to
duty once more. What 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 at
tentions. One brought her 4 seat near
the wings; another drew her shawl
closer around her shoulders, fearing
she would catch cold Poor Jackeu,
the dwarfed call boy, insisted OIL briug-
ing her little warm wine (his panacca
for trouble.) The manager greeted her
and told her that her fortune was as
sured; he was about to produce a new
sensational drama in which she was to act
rs the heroine. In fact, her cup of Joy
seemed full to the brim. (No relation
to Jacken's panacea, for that had been
disposed of with many thanks, at which
the poor fellows face turned red to the
top of his ears.)
The day for the rehearsal Of the new
play arrived. In the last scene a tel
ling effect was to be produced, where
the heroine was thrown from q preci-
pice by the villain Of the piece. In fall
ling she lodges in a pine tree, while he.
losing his balance, topples FROM the cliff
and is slain.
III try that tree myself first, Miss
Bessie suggested the call boy, 'to see
that it is secure. Mr.. Jones, will you
so through the business with me p
Certainly; although l don't think
that you make charming substitute
for the heroine laughed the heavy man.
So up the scaffol1ing they went. The
struggle ensued. The orchestra gave
the chord, and with heavy lunge the
dwarf fell in the abyss.
A shrek ensued from the ladies', and
the strong men sickened. The villain
paused in horror, for the tree had bro
ken and poor Jacken fell through the
trap with harsh tbud.
Friends FASTENED to his aid, and he
was borne to the stage stunned and
bleeding. The doctor of the theatre,
who was present, shook his head.
His spine is broken he said; 'hu-
man AID cannot save him
%, don't say so!' moaned Bessie,
who was wiping the blood from deep
wound in the poor boys head
The closed eyes opened aud happy
light lit their vision.
It's all over. Miss Bessie he mur-
INJURED, and don't know but what I
am glad of it,
Poor boy, poor bow she said, smooth
ing back his curling bair.
Mother used to do that, and her
touch was no gentler than yours. 0, 1
am SO glsd'
Bessie's tears ratified down on the up
turned face.
Don't cry. he said; it's better as it
Is. You never could have loved me as
loved you. and | am not more shapeless
now than should have been had lived.
Would you kiss me once-once for the
flowers left you when l feared that
You. too, must die !!
Bessie pressed kiss on the lips of
the diving boy, and with that las. beni-
son the wandering spirit sought its
God.