The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-11-27

ClCdl ~ AdSO LILO WOulN oSSs LILO AAAA
petuous love for the sunny-haired,
Saxon. eyed girl, love which sprane
into existence the moment they met. had
grown nightly since the going Of
White. He would put an end to this
uncertainty. He could face his fate.
can interview with me?" replied
Fanny to his blandly proffered request
"certainly, Mr.. Blsnchar1." Her tone
vas provokingly even.
"And if you please, let it take place
now. Pray be seated"
If she only had been embarrassed.
"Miss Westbrook, I.-I-fear that the
impression which I made upon you the
day of that unfortunate rencontre by the
river side was not favorable. T.
"Pray proceed, sir" she remarked in
icy tones.
"Well, then-allow me-you cannot
surely have remained firm in the resolu.
tion you then e1pressed-to cleave to v
"Mr. Blanchard, I will assist you.
You apparently wish to say that must
have ceased to love Harold White? Is
that so?"
"Miss Westbrook - Fanny pardon
me I do. He is all unworthy Of you.
Oh, if you did but know the depth of my
love for you -
"Stop, Mr.. Blanchard" said she, ris'
ing from her chair, and moving slowly
toward the door. "Let us understand
each other. Whether or not Harold
White holds the place in my heart which
he once did concerns me and me only.
The honor YOU have done me, Mr..
Blanchard-call it by what tender name
you please-I despise. MIR. Blanchard,
I know you! !"
"Stop, Miss Westbrook p he e1:
claimed, making one step forward and
barring her way to the door, "and
harken to me. You have thrown the gage.
Very we'll, I accept it. It was I who
drove Harold White from Singlebridge.
All, you can be impressed, I see. It is
T who can compel you to consent to my
demands. Now, Miss Westbrook, know
mel"
Her face was very white as she swept
proudly past the West Indian, but it
was not the whiteness of fear. They
measured swords with their eyes-how
clear and searching hers were land
parted.
Next day Fanny Westbrook was miss.
ing from Singlebridge.
For twelve months Silas Westbrooh
has been daughterless. Fanny was
sought for, far and near, but without
avail. 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 leading lady, whose benefit night
it is.
Old Fussyton, the stage door-keeper,
is at this moment in q state OF mind
bordering on despair. He dare not for
the life of him leave his post, and he
has Just learned that stranger has sue
ceeded in reaching the stage under the
cover of an audacious super. If that
should come to the knowledge 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 call-boy. The
tempter is Mr.. Blanchard.
"Very we'll, sir, I'll risk it. If you
are an old friend, I suppose it will be all
right"
Induced to commit breach OF disci-
pline by the bestowal of rather potent
bribe, the call-boy disappeared behind
a pile of scenery, and is presently heard
in altercatien with Miss Harebell's
dresser.
"What do you want?" Miss Hare
bell is not "a beginner she is not on
until the second scene"
II know that, Mrs. Cummings. |
want to speak to you. Open the door. "
Blanchard heard no more. A whisper.
ed conversation between the leading
lady's dresser and the call.boy was i'm
mediately succeeded by the reappear-
arce of that precious youth, who said :
"Miss Harebell will meet you after the
performance, at her hotel, the George.
She has private 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 I don't know. If Mr.. Bow
shang was to stag you, wouldn't there
be shine neither"
Meantime his note had produced ii
startling effect upon Miss Rarebell. 1t
ran thus
cat last find you. Il Miss Hare
bell I have recognized Fanny West
brook. At the peril OF those nearest
and dearest to you see me tonight. l
am desperate"
Cummings" gasped she, clock that
door. You did it for the best to get rid
of him. It is always convenient to de-
cline receiving visitor at ones hotel ;
but will see him. Finish my hair and
then find Mr.. Beauchamp. I would
speak with him before I 60 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 chi7alric intentions in
her cause.
Since that day, more than twelve
months previously, that Miss West
brook had merged her identity in that
of the now talented actress, Miss Hare
bell, Fanny had played many parts,
both on aud off the stage. On this par
ticular night she excelled herself. The
applause of her crowd of admirers was
what would have been termed in stage
parlance "terrifc." Such was the elec.
trio force of her acting that it carried all
before it. Was she playing up defiant.
" to Blanchard Perhaps.
On the conclusion of the play she, Ia
den with bouquets, retired to her dress
ing-room, and in few minutes had re-
sumed, with the aid of the attentive
Mrs. Cummings, the attire of ordinary
life. 49,.
In the space of few minutes Miss
Harebell" was proceeding unnoticed,
save by group of her youthful ldola
tors who surrounded the pit door, under
the convoy of Mr.. Beauchamp, to bel
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. If he did she was to show
him up, after having privately informed
Mr.. Beauchamp, who would wait for thu
news in the parlor, of her visitors ar
rival.