National Republican., 1877-02-25
BIRDS OFA FEATHER,

CErom the London Boto Rsiis.l
Twas In draughty lobby of La Mode Theatre
that Harry wyndham said "dood.bye," to little
Lima Fernle.
So sweet she looked In her stage dress OF white
silk, slashed with crimson velvet, that the part.
Ing was more painful than he had anticipated.
At the door Of her dressing room he murmurod
"dood'bye, Lina!-I may call you so this once2
Yesterday, II was my intention, before sailing
for the States, to beg from you q promise Of this
dear hand on my return, but your father has be.
come 30 wealthy, that 1t is impossible. Though
can honestly say am glad for your sake, stlll
you must know what terrific blow It is for mo
TO give up all hope Of ever winning your
"ls It possible you care for me little ?" he
asked, eagerly. "But don't answer, darling!
Your inther says you will leave tho stage now,
and enter into quite n new world, where your
wealth will gain you position, and henceforth
our lives will run In very different grooves. Lima
dearest, had 80 hoped they would have been us
oner'
There was q passionate emphasis on his last
tones that somehow seat q thrill straight to
Lina's heart; but she only replied, please don't
talk like thatr'
"I.ina, II thought there was chance of your
remembering me, would ask you something ~
"What is 1t, Harry"
He stopped, and picked up a leaf from the dusty
hoor-only glittering tinsel thing fallen from a
burlesque but to these two hearts It possessed an
intrinsic value now and evermoro.
"Dearest, II, when winter comes, you can give
me any hope, will you send me thisg Is It ask.
ing too muchT You will be perfectly free, and
should never SEQ 1t again, will try and hope
that another, worthier than !, has won what
would give my life to nossess.
~ will send It Harry," she said simply; and
pressing kiss on her red lips, In silence he left
her.
Mr.. Fernlie and his daughter were great favor.
ties throughout the profession, no less than they
were with the play.going public; for though
neither could boast ofreal yenius, still there was
adeal OF quiet, undemonstrative talent In both
father and daughter.
And so II was rather mistak ken idea when Mr..
Fernlie thought 1t would be better-now that
their living did In nowiso depend on Tito remove
Lima from public life entirely.
rS SHt WIN WIN MN thought meant action and fort:
York, he and his daughter were comfortably In.
stalled in Beulah Road, near Regents Park.
for her barouehe, unlimited money at her com.
mnnd, In, and !, bad become %l acquainted with the
ing looking dwelling In tho neighborhood Of
Beulah Road-and who, by the way, considered
this wealthy "actor fellow" rather sa acquisition
already felt thnt 1t was perhaps we'll as not that
Harry had left her perfectly Tree.
gamor OF Rsr WSah Ssgsn 'fe
wear OFF. Then Lima was not slow to SEQ that
the female portion OF her friends desired either to
patr9nise her graoiously or tramplo the little
Before Mr. Fernlie's arrival here, the belle
who reigned supreme over this little world was
Miss Catherine Davenport, q lady Of some dig
nifty, and whose family mansion was directly oP-
nosite. But now, as Linas beauty, matchless Of
It's kind, had successfully dcposed Miss Daven.
port. she ruled IN her stead, and the followers Of
the elder LADY, objectlng very strongly to be led
by llttlo yaRabond player, let no opportunity
life.
Amongst tho visitors at Mr. FernlIe's was q
Sir Digby Shaihcton who In right OF his baronetoy
was looked on kindly by all those beauties land
they were mnny)who were matrmonially inclined.
And previous to Lina's appearance on the scene,
Miss davenport had marked him as her own
Sir Digby's title was only twenty years old
Ofhis ancestry all that any body knew about them
was that his grandfather had been only moder.
etely successful In tho tea line, while to his
father had been reserved tho honor OF the family
for when In the civic chair, Majesty had been
graciously pleased to confer on him n baronetoy.
As Sir Digby was The match among their set
Lima was not sorry when he attached himself q
Of all her admirers.
As last as Lima gained ground with tho mon
she lost II with tho women. But being such d
vain little thing, she found great delight In keep
ing all the men round her listening to her bril
liant talk.
Why 1t was, without doubt, but peraaps Q