The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-12-20

800
tent bride, the call-boy disappears be-
hind pile of scenery, and is presently
heard in alteration with Miss Harebell,s
dresser.
"What do you want? Miss .Harebell
is not a beginner She is not onuntil
the second scene.''
81 know that, Mrs. Cummins.
want to speak to you. Open the door. ;,
Blanchard heard no more. A whis-
pered conversation between the leading
lady's dresser and the call-boy was i'm
mediateiy succeeded by the reappear-
ence of that precocious youth, who said
"Miss Harebell will meet you after the
performance, at her hotel, the George
She has apartments there. All you have
to do is to send in your name. And
now, sir, do clear out of this. How you
got in, don't know. If Mr. Bowshang
was to stag you, wouldn't there be a
shine neither!'' . .....
Meanwhile his note had produced a
startling effect on Miss Harebell. 1t ran
thus: r
L
recognized Fanny Westbrook. At the per-
il of those nearest and dearest to you see me
might. I am desperate. a-.. s.
"Cummins," gasped she, clock that
door. You did it for the best to get rid
of him. 1t is always convenient to
decline receiving visitor at ones no.
tel; but will see him. Finish my hair
and then find Mr.. Beauchamp. 1 would
speak with him before 90 ON
Blanchard had again curiouslY under
valued the strength of his lovely oppo-
nent. -
She saw the manager and exchanged
with him few whispered words. He
grasped her hand warmly by way of
emphasizing his chivalric intentions in
her cause.
Since the day, more than twelve
months previously, that Miss Westbrook
had merged her identity in that of the
now talented actress, Miss Harebell,
Fanny had played many parts both off
and on the stage. On this particular
night she excelled herself. The APP
plause of her crowds of admirers was
what would have been termed in stage
parlance "terrific." Such was the
electric force of her acting, it carried all
before it. Was she playing up definant-
ly to Blanchard? Perhaps.
On the conclusion of the play, she,
laden with bouquets, retired to her dress
ing-room, and in few minutes had re-
sumed, with the aid of attentive Mrs
Cummins, the attire of ordinary life.
In the space of a very few minutes
Miss '' Harebell I" was proceeding I'M
noticed, save by a group of her youth
full idolators who surround the pit-door,
under the convoy Of Mr.. Beauchamp, to
her apartments at the George.
Before ascending the staircase which
led to her rooms she informed the maid
servant that probably gentleman
would call upon her. Ii he did, she was
to show him up, after having privately
informed Mr.. Beauehamp, who would
wait for the news in the bar parlor, of
her VISITORS arrival.
Mr.. Beauchamp, whose face beamed
with complacent delight, nodded his
approval of this arrangement. OBJ
served Fanny to him:
"Now, Mr.. Beauchamp, shall leave
you to your devices ''-here she in
dulged in the tiniest ripple of laughter
"yonr devices, mind.''
Very well, my DEAR, they shall be
ready if wanted. - Is 11s III!
"And he-n
"Every thing is ready, Miss Harebell
and every body. Let that suffice ye.n
Seated in her snug little room, Fanny
n Wy taI L
ancient prosecutor. She had not to
wait long. ai ai77.st .t5sis1 sfr7s
"Mr. Blanchard, 'm," announced
the maid-servant, and thereupon ush-
cred that gentleman in. ~ N, .,ss...-
Miss Westbrook rose and 4acknow-
lodged his elaborate bow with silence
that was full of scornful eloquence.
She resumed her seat. fe>8
"Miss Westbrook, can you divine
why am here?'' !sF
ssYes." - fe1'ii1 4
go, you can? You are frank. After
all, why should you not be? We can
spare each other the recital of a long
preface of dull retrospection. After a
long and patient search I have found
you-no matter how
81 know how" she calmly inter-
posed. 11ge
"Ah." he, exclaimed, "perhaps you
would not mind enlightening me.o His
tones were sneering. Her perfect equa-
nimity pnt him about. : aesfts.z- g
"Not at all. You got the ihforma-
ton from my BROTHER
q seven so. And-your brotherp Has
he informed you also that he is just as
completely in my power as was another
person of our acquaintance more than
a year since? Did he tell you that there
is that in this bundle of papers which
would give him penal seryitI1de II r