The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-12-05

his opera,glass, he leisurely swept the
house, cxaming the entire audience
with critical eye.
Suddenly he felt himself grasped by
the arm, and turning, behold the ear.
nest face of his friend, who whispered, ,
eagerly
4 say NJ, why cannot you in
troduce me ? would give cousidera>
bic to speak to her. Will your
We'll, yes, I can, aud I suppose 1
will. But let me tell you, yonng gen
tlemau, all must be fair and above.
board, for have never heard an ILL.,
word brcathed against her in this thea
tire, and I don't mean that there shall
be; so be careful 50
'Mr. NJ, you must be very much
at fault in your estimation Of me ifayon
consider me capable of anything so, dis"
honorable !! exclaimed Herbert, bsught-
lily, drawing back in astonishmeut,
Tut! tut man, don't get excited. l
meant no intentional affront. Ir,have
taken an uncommon interest," in little
Laura. aud, besides, I am rather blunt,
you know, and generally speak out
what is in my mind
All right. OF course I take no Of
fence where none was intended. But
| come. the act is over, and the curtain
already down. Am I to have the pleas
ure of an introduction ?
Certainly; and you will find her very
modest and lady-like, I can assure you.
She is always attended by her maid,
who is constantly at her side behind
the scenes, and accompanies her home.
And Laura permits no familiarity from
any of the actors, either. But come on
and see for YOURSELF And he led the
way behind the scenes.
Herbert followed with heart that
beat and pattcred strangely, and with
sensation altogether novel, for the fair
actress had made deep impression on
his hitherto unsusceptible heart, and he
felt quite nervous as to how she would
receive him.
They found her just emerging from
her dressing.room. attired in costume
for the following act. and looking daz-
zlingly fair in sweeping robe of deep
emerald green satin, the squarely-cut
bodice and open, flowing sleeves re-
vealing a neck and arms which we're as
white as the purest marble, and perfect
in their rounded symmetry.
The young man gazed at her in mute
admiration, while his friend uttered the
usual formal words of Introduction, but
recovered himself in time to bow deter-
rntially, and touch the tips of the dainty
fingers extended to him as the lady
gracefully acknowledged bis acqualn-
tance.
Mr.. NJ was just then called away,
and few moments were passed by the
young couple in pleasant but common.
place conversation; and then the bell
rang as a signal for the rising of the
curtain, and with q hasty adieu she
glided away to sustain her role.
But even after she had gone, the
magic spell Of her presence fingered
about him, and he remained leaning
against some unused scenery, absorbed
in pleasant revery. CHANGING to cast
his eyes upon the floor he saw tiny
blossom which she had held while con-
versing with him, and hastily raising it
he pressed it to his lips, then, conceal
ing it in his bosom, he turned 10 depart,
when 10 close behind him stood his
friend, the manager, who had evidently
witnessed the impassioned action, and
who now said smiliDgly, as he shook his
upraised 6nger,-
Take care, my young friend, or you
are done for. But ah poor fellow ! /
fear my warning is too late, for, judg-
ing by what 1 have lately seen, l should
conclrde that you are pretty far gone
in the last stages of lpve-sipkness. But
I tell you, have seen others Just as
deeply smitten, and it was no use; she
wouldn't give them the slightest en-
couragement. I don't blame you of
course, l only wonder how anyone can
help falling in love with her, | am
sorry for you, for know just how it
will be;' and with this consoling remark
he laughed again.
We'll, at all events, muttered Her
bert to himself, III see more of her, be
my chances ever so small Then
turning to Mr.. NJ he made some
testing answer, and bidding him good
evening he left the theatre.
But even after he had retired for the
night he found it difficult to resign him
self into the arms of the drowsy god;
and even when at length he succumbed
to fatigue. and his weary eyelids closed,
it was only to sec in his dreams visions
Of fair face framed in the shining,
floating hair. and clear blue eyes that
seemed to search the innrrmost depths
of hi heart-the features of the young
actress Of the n theatre.
True to his resolve, evening after
evening found Herbert at the theatre,
and between the acts he mi ght have
been seen 10 conversation with the fair
actress, who now looked upon his pres
ence as matter of course, and who
certainly Gas the mauager admitted to
Herbert) betrayed far more preference
for him than she had ever shown for
other admirers. But 6nallv HeEbcrl's
nightly attendance al the Theatre sud
l. l.. a.....l cd tho