The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-12-03

name4 Dertna males repeated.
"How strangely excited you are, Ber-
tina !hsaid the actress, as she placed one
OF ner shapely hands on an arm Of her
companion. ave are alone in the dres.
sing-room now; there will be other Ia.
dies hare presently. Pray control your
self--your emotion-from whatever
cause It may arise; your eyes blaze like
stars ~
"Oh, Bessie Karck," returned the bru-
nette, rising and walking hurriedly up
and down the floor, her haEds pressed
against her temples. "Pray do not with
hold the news. You do not know how
I am tortured"
'This is inexplicable," pondered the
blonde. "She acts as il she were re-
hearsipg a part"
.sIa@ not" returned the brunette inn,
patissks "Will syon give me thenatnsF
"The signature was, Walter Rivers"
answered Bessie Karck, IS she closely
watched her companion.
"Ob, Godl Oh, Godp moaned the
woman, crouching in dark corner Of
the room and covering her eyes with a
heavy vail she held in one of her hands.
~ am surely punished alresdy. Oh, this
bitter, bitter trial! I will brave him |!
What care 1? am beyond that now"
Rising and uncovering her black, fash
ing orbs, she added: "Bessie Karck, take
those jewels from my sight, for in my
madness ] will destroy them"
"Bertha! cried Bessie, are you mad ?
What has so affected you ?"
Turning fiercely upon the blonde, the
woman with an impatient and at the
same time scornful gesture, answered:
"Hisname ael 8f e.
The fierce storm was over almost as
soon as It had commenced
mo more Of this, Bessie Karck," the
dark woman whispered In hoarse,
troubled voice. "Hint to no one what
you have seen and heard Of me to night.
/ have . reason for my conduct Per
haps will tell you some day. It is
enough that you are told by me that au
esteemed guilty. wife, while God knows
am an innocent woman. / am the help.
less victim of diabolical plot. Have 1
your con6dence--sympathy / do not
ask p. a.ete5 n % Ia
| Bessie--her eyes with a mixed expires
sion OF hauteur and pity in their dark.
blue depths-bowed her head. ai5s
| &9s 4 100 - as
There was tap at the door. 1t was
the call.boy. sf' t + &
"The ladies' for the third scene, first
act" be said. "Prompter's CALI
] The entrance to the dressing-room was
Immediately opened. e.ff ,,a~e
"Are You ready, Bertha n asked Miss
Karck. "Can Won sustain yourself, for
the gentleman, doubt not, will be pres
ent2 My appearing in these diamonds
will by him be recognized as an accept
ance. So he wrote of his Christmas
present !"
sssA ye4rngo to night y marmured Ber-
i tina Males, as she leaned her aching head
against one Of the flies, awaiting the sig.
nal to "go on!' Her excitement had
been terrible--even deeper and more ex.
hausting than her companion had been
made aware "Ah, I recollect it all
There was no escape for me. I was in
4 the meshes of net set by the devil. !
was compromised beyond explanation.
i / do not know that can blame him.
But what right had he to recognize this
A woman Karck? She did no more than
any other of her sex would who had a
heart"
The signal was given, and from oppo-
site wings Of the stage the two women
entered to play their parts l. And she
who bore the heaviest part had the mer-
riest impersonation. osa au7 ~ h1s
81 do not see Walter Rivers" whis-
pered Bertha Males to the blonde, as
they retired for q moment to the rear OF
the stage, while others in the play we're
reciting. m lia q
~ had but a momentary glance at
him. He is in proscenium box-the
one on the right next the stage, re.
sponded the blonde "He recognized
me by slightly bowling His face wears
troubled look. He conceals himself
with the curtains. The child Adele il
with him." 80
At these words, Bertha Males spas
medically clasped an arm OF her compan
ion, as if with grasp of iron; and wher
she relaxed her hold Bessie saw tina
there was blood upon her lips.
The women returnedto the footlights
Bertha Males glared at the box, and
for moment, forgot herself.
e There was slight hiss, and then sh'
Y turned half around to resume her conver
. sation.
E Scarcely had she done so, when th,
+ curtains Of the box were drawn quickl,
8 aside, and q sweet, child's voice wa
o heard to cry:
Mamma! Oh, mammal"
!. The actress forgot herself in the moth
t er.
o sMy child! Oh, my Adele!"
) And with wild cry and arms out
t stretched, she ran to the box in which he
/ child was.
y Jtwas too late!
oil Walter Rivers instantly caught up hi
n daughter, and with bound was in th
t. lobby, the door closing and shutting th
l mother from further sight Of Adele.
nj "Oh, God |" she sobbed.
And then, with great cry-a cry tbs
" curdled the blood in the veins of thos
y who heard it-she fell forward on he
gl face, and was as immovable as il she wer
dead. 81
er The great audience was paralyzed-
Is shocked. Hundreds rose to their fee
+ and shouted in terror. Women fail
ted j; and many, not hearing the despai
er ing cry Of the PROSTATE actress, or se
ing her fall, persuaded themselves th'
ul the building was in flames; and so, wi,
IN fear depicted in their faces, rushed an
d, pushed each other, as they clambere
4 headlong down the stairs and throue
l the corridors 10 the doors, the weak
t, being crushed, or falling, were tramplt
Is under foot.
g. When before the footlights order b,
IN been restored and the multitude reassu
q, ed, it was found that many had receive
Of serious injuries, and that others. mortal
s. burt, were gasping in death.
Is, Behind the curtain, which was instant
ne let down upon the tumultuous scene
IS. which resembled more scene TAX