The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-06-29

lauy dresser and the call-bOy was I'M
medlately 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 got
In, don't know. If Mr.. Bowshang was
to stag you, wouldn't there be shine
neitherl'
Meantime his note had produced a
startling effect on Miss Harebell. 1t ran
thus:
" At last l find you. In Miss Rarebell
have recognized Fanny Westbrook.
At the peril of those nearest and dearest
to you, see me tonight. l am desper-
ate"
"Cummins," gasped she, lock that
door. You did it for the best to get rid
of him. 1t is always convenient to de-
cline receiving a visitor at ones hotel
but will see him. Finish my hair and
then find Mr.. Beauchamp. I would
speak with him before 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 of en-
phasizing his chivalric intentions in her
cause.
Since the day, more than twelve
months previously, that Miss West
brook had merged her identity in that of
the now talented actress, Miss Harebell,
Fanny had played many parts both on
and off the stage. On this particular
night she excelled herself. The ap-
plause of the crowds of admirers was
what would have been termed in stage
parlance " terrific" Such was the
electric force of her acting, it carried all
before it. Was she playing up defantly
to Blanchard? Perhaps.
On the conclusion of the play, she,
laden with bouquts, retired to her dress
ing-room, and in few minutes had re-
sumed, with the aid of attentive Mrs.
Cummins, the attire of ordinary life.
In the space of very few minutes
Miss Harebell' was proceeding unno-
ticed, save by group of her youthful
idolaters who surrounded the pit-doOr,
under the convoy of Mr.. Beauchamp, to
her 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 the
news in the bar-parlor, of her visitors
arrival.
Mr.. Beauchamp, whose face beamed
| with com 10 HoIiuht nodded bic ~
proval of this arrangement. Observed
Fanny to him:
Now, Mr.. Beauchamp, I shall leave
dulged in the tiniest ripple of laughter
"your devices, mind.'
every 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 long to
wait.
"Mr. Blanchard, 'm," announced the
maid servant. and thereupon ushered
| that gentleman in.
Miss Westbrook rose, and acknowl-
edged his elaborate bow with silence
that was full of scornful eloquence. She
then resumed her seat.
"Miss Westbrook, can you divine why
[ am here%'
Yes"
go, you can? You are frank. After
all, why should you not be? We can
spare each other the recital of a long
preface of dull retrospection. After a
long and painful search 1 have found
you-no matter how"
O. know how" she calmly interposed
"Ahw he exclaimed, "perhaps you
would not mind enlightening me-" His
tones were sneering. Her perfect equa-
nimity put him about.
"Not at all. You got the informa-
ton from brother"
Even so. And-your brother? Has
he informed you also that he is just as
completely in my power as was another
person of our acquaintance more than
year since? Did he tell you that there
is that in this bundle of papers which
would give him penal servitude if [
chose to put the law in operation. Did
| he"
"No, Mr.. Blanchard, he did not" A
tear had stolen down her cheek at the
mention of Harold's name; but now
| that she confronted the West Indian her
eyes blazed defiance upon him. "He
did not. Remove your mask. I can
read the rascal underneath it. So, then,
my hand bestowed ON you is to be the
price of your silence concerning my
brothers crime, if crime it be. But you
have shown your claws too soon, sir; see
that they are not clipped"
And who is to clip them@
"Ip exclaimed a voice that came
from behind a chair which Blanchard
stood, while at the same time his arms
were seized in grip of iron and wrench
ed violently back, 81, Harold White!
Fan, take possession of these papers"
$50 you think to trap me, do youw
growled Blanchard, foaming with rage;
"but you are mistaken
"Not bit of it," observed obliging
Mr.. Beauchamp, at that moment enter
ing by door on the landing. Turning
the key and placing it in his pocket, the
manager of the Easthampton theatre
continued: "Now look here, Mr.. Blanch-
ard, | have stage-managed too many lit
tie things of this kind not to know what
is required to strengthen the situation.
l have two of my fellows Handy on the
stairs. My property man is on the other
side of those folding doors. My friend
here and myself reckon for something, to
say nothing of Mrs Harold White"
Mrs. Harold White" gasped Blanch-
ard.
eyes, Mr.. Blanchard" releasing him