The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-02-15


holds the place in my heart which he
once did concerns me. and me only.
The honor you have done me, Mr. Blan-
chard-call it by what tender name you
please despise. Mr. Blanchard 1 know
your
| GStop, Miss Wes.brook," he exclaim-
ed. making one step forward, and bar
ring her way to the door, "and hearken
to me. You have thrown the gage. Very
well, accept it. 1t was 1 who drove
Harold White from Singlebridge. All,
you can be impressed, 1 see. tits Iwho
can Compel your consent to my demands
Now, Miss Westbrook, knoC me,
Her face was very white as she swept
proudly past the West Indian; but il
was not the whiteness of fear. They
measured swords with their eyes-how
clear and searching hers were,-and
parted.
Next day Fanny Westbrook was miss
ing from Singlebridge.
For twelve months Silas Westbrook
had been daughterless. Fanny was
! sought for far and near, but without
avail. Augustus had, to quote the
idiomatic expression Of that congenial
companion already referred to gone
clear to the bad OF all his former
chums, Blanchard was the sole possessor
of a knowledge of the young scapegrace's
whereabouts. As for the West Indian,
he seemed to have entirely relinquished
all intention of returning to Jamaica.
However, we must for the present leave
Singlebridge and make our way to the
Theater Royal, Easthampton. The house
is crowded by the admirers of the lead
ing lady, whose benefit night it is.
Old Fussyton, the stage doorkeeper, is
at this moment in a state of mind Dor
dering on despair. He dare not for the
life of him leave his post; and he has
just learned that stranger has succeed
ed in reaching the stage under the con-
vey of an audacious supper. If that
should come to the acknowledge of Mr.
Somerset Beauchamp, the manager, he
(Fussyton) will to certainty be dis.
missed on the spot.
Take a note to Miss Harebell, sir:
Could not do it. It's against orders sir.
| The speaker is the call-boy. His temp
ter is Mr. Blanchard.
Very well, sir, I'll risk it. Ifyou are
an old friend 1 suppose it will be all
right"
| Induced to commit breach of disci
pline by the bestowal of a rather potent
bribe, the callboy disappears behind a
pile ofscenery, and is presently heard in
alteration with Miss Harebell's dresser
What do you want? Miss Harebell is
not "a beginner She is not ON until the
second scene"
Il know that, Mrs Cummins. / want
to speak to you. Open the door,"
Blanchard heard no more. A whis
lpered conversation between the leading
lady's dresser and the call-boy was i'm
mediately succeeded by the reappear,
ance 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
gotIn don't know. If Mr. Bowshang
!. was to stag you, wouldn't there be a
shine, neither
Meantime his note had produced q
startling effect on Miss Harebell. 1t ran
thus:
"At last find you. In Miss Hare
bell have recognized Fanny Westbrook
At the peril of those nearest and dearest
to you, see me tonight. am desperate.
"Cummins," grasped she, "lock that
door. You did it for the best to get rid
of him. 1t is always convenient to de
cline receiving visitor at ones hotel
but will see him. Finish my hair and
then find Mr.. Beauchamp. 1 would
speak with him before 1 go 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 ofem
phasizing his chivalric intentions in hel
cause.
Since the day, more than twelve
, months previously, that Miss WestbrooE
had merged her identity in that of the
now talented actress, Miss Harebell, Fan
ny had played many parts both off and
on the stage. On this particular night
she excelled herself The applause of hel
crowds and admirers was what would
, have been termed in stage parlance "ter
/ rife" Such was the electric force ofhe
| acting, it carried all before it. Was she
, playing up deiantly to Blanchard? Per.
haps.
On the conclusion of the play, she
. laden with bouquets, retired to her
!. dressing room, and in a few minutes had
resumed, with the aid of attentive Mr.
Cummins, the attire of ordinary life.
In the space of very few minutes Mis-
@Harebell' was proceeding unnoticed
save by a group of her youthful idolator:
!. who surrounded the plt-door, under
the convoy of Mr. Beauchamp, to her
apartments at the George.
i Before ascending the staircase which
led to her rooms she informed the maid.
servant that probably a gentleman would
call upon her. If he did, she was ;o
show him up, after having privately in
formed Mr. Beauchamp, who would wait
for the news in the bar parlor other vis.
itor's arrival
Mr. Beauchamp, whose face beamed
with complacent delight, nodded his ap-
proval of this arrangement. Observed
Fanny to him:
Now, Mr. Beauchamp, l shall leave
you to your deyices"-here she INDUCED
in the tiniest ripple of laughter-"your
devices, mind"
"Very well, my dear, they shall be
ready if wanted"
@And he"
Everything is ready, Miss Harebell,
and everybody. Let that suffice ye."
Seated in her snug little room, Fanny
dreamily awaited the coming of her an
cient prosecutor She had not to wait
long.
MIR Blanchard, m" announced the
maid d-seryant, and thereupon ushered
that gentleman in.
Miss Westbrook rose, and acknowl,
edged his elaborate bow with a silence
that was full of scornful eloquence. She