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


! THE ACTRESS.
fi -
Bertha Males black eyes fairly snap.
ped as she turned them toward the open
casket in which, resting on crimson vel
vet, making their lustre, il possible, more
brilliant, lay the 6Jouterie, which with
out any adventurous aid coruscated like
stars on clear moonless night. The
Ipieces Of jewelry were fairly loaded with
brilliants of the purest water. An en-
tpress might be proud Of them, and have
ostentatiously displayed them on the
stateliest Of the state receptions.
Was it any wonder, then, that long.
ling for the possession of such inestima.
ble jewels-for such they were in hel
sight-should have filed the heart of the
dark beauty, Bertha Males
When she "had eazed her gil" on the
costly ornaments she turned her bright
dark, eloquent orbs toward where stood
leaning slistlessly against the back Of 8
high, antique chair, young girl who
was in color, form and feature hervery
opposite. M
Eyes, Bessie Karck," she said, as il
continuing conversation which appear.
ed to interest the exquisite blonde, ssuch
gifts at Christmas tide come only from
men who are deeply In love. This man
this Edmund Doane. is your slave A
smile from your red lips would purchase
bis estate, yea, if it were as broad as 6
kingdom. But, Bessie, his judgment is
at fault. He Is without TASTE In my
hair, in my ears, on my arms, and on my
bosom, these clusters of diamonds would
blaze like torches. I can imagine Cleo
patra, when Cesar wooed her, arrayed ID
such as these, Ha! heat for the sun
but the moon Is not gorgeous in hel
beauty r. ..
And the dark woman rushed forward
eagerly to where the casket lay ,and pres
emily she had her lovely and stately fg
ure decked with astar dust" as she nevel
had before. oFo{e} smk ie
"You indeed look well in them," re-
turned Bessie Karck; shut your similt
about the moon Is unfortunate. 70,
may represent heat, ma chere, and l.
GOODNESS; hut pray remember the Queer
of Night, like true woman, shines witt
borrowed light. ts~ as a71sa
"a compliment to your SEX" laughed
or rather mused, the brunette, 81 tax,
lit that when, q woman talks in that way
there is q man in her heart"
"There is none In mine, assure you,
replied Bessie Karck with soft smile
while her deep blue eyes became as lus
trous as the precious stones she hat
within the hour become the mistress of.
"Wbatp' exclaimed Miss Males; "dt
you desire simply to impress me will
that absurd idea, that may not gossip
tof your lordly present TO- the ladies o
the profession ~ ie
81 am very willing, nv dear, that yor
should speak at every corner of what ",
have agreed to call my Christmas gift
And yet, Bertha, / am in love only will
my profession of the stage. The donor
to whom I have not spoken twenty
words, and only on an exciting occasion
perhaps feels himself as a parent"
"Parentv' CALCULATED Bertha, turning
her eloquent black eyes in wonder on th,
lovely and collected blonde.
GAS q father" pursued Bessie Karck
not needing the interruption. SIT is tru,
1 have often seen him among the audi
ence, and III the most distant cities
wherever my engagements took me bu
he has always been quiet, respectful. IN
demonstrative, and be has never writer
me note filed with fuIsome fattery, o
sought to force himself into my society
i have become so accustomed to his pres
ence in the parquet, that / entertain
feeling Of disappointment when he !
absent" -. -,
spray, Bessie, what was this excitin,
occasion to which you refer2 1t must
Indeed have been an experience of al
unusual character that could have Undue
ed him to be so generous while shown,
his gratitude, as If you were an Orients
princess that supped on pearls and dia
monds and all precious stones"
! "The OCCASION" answered the blonde
as she unwound her mass OF long ant
lrich light golden hair-a perfect glory t,
her fair and expressive face-preparato
Try to arranging herself for the stage o
the Constellation Theater, which is Il
one of our largest cities, "the occasion
was the saving from being run over b.
a locomotive and margled to death OF
sweet girl Of five years, / should judg
Ibis child, he informed me; and what
lsplendid man he Isl" ~ e.
"When? Wherew demanded the dar
beauty in . breath. 4
"This evening year ago, and abor
an hour earlier than it is now. The il
lcident may be laid in New Orleans, @
rather within few miles Of it-say B,
ton Rouge" M
sThen this, indeed, is Chistmas pre-
ent," returned Bertha Males. Sand b
has remembered it whole year! It
given to you as q, souvenir of that occ
sion. How / would like to see him r.
"Perhaps you will be gratifed t,
: night, We are cast in the same play, ar
we have scene together. 1 shall we
these magnificent and costly baubles, ar
: III will let the gentleman there know tn
I accept his present, and appreciate b
u motive in sending them to me this nigt
, But we must hasten, ma chere. The CT
!. boy will be rousing us to action pre-
q emily" Baslia sesadF
II "Tell me the story Of the saving
q the child, Bessie7'' pleaded, with stran
= earuestness, the brunette.
Ill Scan it interest you, Bertha 2" retur
ed Bessie Karck. "Have we time 2 D.
z half an hour the curtain will be rul
. up" ~ '9ae p +
2 "Relate it as you Dress" said the da
, eyed woman. sit ,oiu interest me-"
!. "Simply, then," replied the fair 81
. while a pleasant smile lighted up b
handsome, mobile countenance, II vi
with one or two others, standing on
platform Of the depot awaiting the dow
> ward train that was to convey Us to N
o Orleans Among those present wat
gentleman of fine presence. Near b
'd1 stood young mulatto woman careful
Ia h hold;rcao x,orx, nrotfx, l;ttlo o;rl r