The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-30
erly is brought back to the convent to
hear her doom. Over the curtain was
written:

10 UdCh w bnO OOhNOhb w
hear her doom. Over the curtain was
written:
"---While on her doublet breast
She sought to hide the badge OF blue,
Lord Marmion's falcon crest"
The shrinking figure of Constance, as
the monk lifts the pages cap from her
head, and the rich curls fall over her
shoulders, was 80 beautifully repre-
sented that peal after peal of applause
resounded through the room, and Visibly
discomposed the perfOrmer-one Of the
youngest and prettiest debutantes in
the house. The curtain went down, and
the blaze of light was hid from view.
Next appeared scenes from 'Pick-
wick" which threw every one into con-
Yusions of laughter: and then there
seemed an almost endless pause.
| When the curtain was again drawn
aside every one was at tlrst mute; and
then followed whispers as to what it
meant. "The Game OF Lite" was writ
ten over the curtain; and IL the blaze OF
| light they distinguished small table,
on one side OF which sat an individual
whose identity was at once recognized,
but whose name is not usually men
toned to ears polite. Being repre-
sented by one Of the greatest scamps In
In the house, the character was consld-
cred particularly appropriate. Opposite
to him was seated Harvey Edwards,
with care-worn face aud anxious looks,
about to commence the game OF life.
| Near by, surrounded by perfect ra-
dance from innumerable candles, stood
sthe good angel" with sweet, imploring
face, and arms that seemed woolng him
from the dark influence. No one mad
known that Alice Carrington was half
as beautiful. A robe of gossamer white
floated around her slight figure, and her
iIoyely, light brown hair was failing
down through the thin vail that seemed
TO envelope her like q mist. A pair OF
silver wings were fastened on either
shoulder, and as those sweet eyes
beamed tenderly upon the Young gam
lbler, she looked like some delicate crea-
ton OF poets dream. Harvey Edwards
was gazing intently upon her-appar-
entity under the influence Of that gentle
spell and the good angel seemed about
to triumph.
The audience were in raptures; the
performers neither moved nor breathed;
and Alice Carrington's admirers felt
their enthusiasm rekindled without
once thinking of her $4,000.
81 want you to take Il part, tonight,
Harvey" said Miss Edwards to her
brother.
"What part2 that of the discarded
suitor?' he asked, somewhat bitterly.
IL have no heart tor these things now,
Kate-were Alice to act thele might Oe
some inducement"
"She will act" replied his sister," and
it is Tor that very reason That wish you
10 join u.s."
| In spite of his former assertion, Har-
Vey now began to show signs OF retreat
linz, but his sister was firm; and it was
entirely through her agency that the
audience had the pleasure of seeing him
about TO play at stakes with the EVIL
One.
Alice was entirely dressed, silver
wings and all, before she knew that she
was to play the part of good angel to
Harvey Edwards; but it was now too
IlaLe to retreat, and as they had anticpa-
ted, the peculiar circumstances o the
case brought an expression OF sOftneSs
and tenderness TO her lovely face that
was almost angelic. Harvey Edwards
could have sat gazing on her forever;
but tue scene mad already been unusual
ly long, and the curtain was now drawn
over the performers.
A genuine outbreak of enthusiasm al
most prevented them from seeing that
the enchanted corner was again blaze
OF light and again the angel stood before
them. But her beautiful head was
drooped-ner arms hanging beside her in
"a state Of utter aDandonment-and the
silver of her wings seemed tarnished.
The gambler no longer gaZed toward her
/. but with eyes fixed upon the fatal
cards sat playing desperate game with
the prince OF darkness-the stake his
own soul. The expression ofdespairing
sorrow ON the sweet lace OF his good an
gel was UNDECIDED; he played on, forget
| lul Of her presence.
The last scene represented the good
angel, with outstretched wings, just
soaring away from the scene OF despair;
in the last look upon the object OF her
r care beamed forth love and sorrow too
: great tor mere stage acting.
. Alice had been very much excited, II
was the truthiulness of the positions
they had assumed that brought forth all
the finer points Of her nature, and threw
into the representation that life-iike
t beauty which gave SO much force to the
: coloriBg. She felt tenderness towards
7 Harvey Edwards that almost startled
7 her; and frightened at the reveaHngs OF
her own heart, she sought TO quiet its
tumultuOus beatings in solitude.
Other Jableaux followed, but none bore
J the palm from 1.-The Game of Llfe;" and
1 numerous were the inquiries ioP the
: missing angel, but she was not to be
/ found.
In a far-off corner of the grounds,
4 nearly concealed by the thick trees,
t among which her white dress cleaned
4 like web of light, sat Alice Darlington
g her hand tigutIy C asped by one who
+ had been bolu enough to intrude himself
: upon her solitude. Yes, Harvey Ed
r wards saw the advantage that he had
: gained, and determined to follow it up
/ Tenderly and respectfully he pleaded
= his cause, and the soft eyes OF 'the good
angeP were not avsrted.
"Be my good angel through life, dear
AliceW he urged, ''you alone can Keep
: me from the temptings OF my own heart
+ i-yOu alone are perfect"
"But you forget" said Alice, archly
''that good angel has just failed-if
could not keep you from selling your
self to the Evil One, what success can
expect in less important thingsY
"Ah, but that was only sUory," he
pleaded; "had ii been reality, yoa know
that L would have gone with you, deal
, Alice"
a Alice shook her head doubtfully but she
a did not withdraw ner Hand; aud encoul.