The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-02-11
CHAPTER III.
~ MISS DUDLEY Had PAINTED. u


Christmas was near at hand.
Charles Colebrook, having got fortnigh's leave of
absence from the Office In Whitehall, was going to
spend the ''festive season ~ and bring In the New
Year at big country house.
At MIR. Dudley earnest request Charles had
scented to dine with the invalid and his daughter on
the Sunday preceding Christmas, which fell on We'd
nesday that year.
very quiet little dinner 1t was early in the after
noon.
Mabel spoke very little, only occasionally joining In
the conversation for amoment when some remark
specially directed to her, and Immediately relapsing
into silence. Mr.. Dudley and his guest, however,
kept up animated discussion many subjects and
as they were mostly of political nature neither of
the men expected Mabel to express opinion, a
neglect which that young lady WAS not disposed 10
resent
1t was not until the end of the banquet that Charley
made any special attempt to draw Mabel into the
vorsalion by turning 1t upon subjects IN which she
might lie supposed to take an interest.
But Charley swell meant endeavors did not produce
much result. Mabel appeared TO listen To all he had
say, yet said little herself, and at times seemed to
forget for moment that she was being talked to.
~ don't know how II is, hlaD ~ said Tom Dudley,
at last "but my little girl doesn't to have
ioyed her Christmas dinner at all. What is the mat
Nothing, faher,'' said Mabel; al have only
been thinking. Somehow Christmas appears to ue a
very solemn day. am perfectly happy but-why
should you mind me, you two g-happiest is that Kind
of way that ands no pleasure In speaking.n
CoebIook, earnestly.
Poor Charley had come TO dinner that day with one
great, commissioning desire In his breast and he not
mind Just suited TO the fuihnent OF this plan.
Dinner was finished Just AS the shadows of the
winter evening gathered and deepened, and gradu-
ally hid from view the outlines of the opposite
houses Answering TO the energetic application OF the
poker, the fire bazed and cracked In the CRATE with
real Christmas glow, lighting up ntfully the furni-
lure and the picture frames, and the faces OF the
three people who now gathered around the hearth.
MIR. Dudley proposed that the lamp should be
lighted; but the motion was quickly negatiyed by
both his companions.
soon conversation grew more and more spasmodc,
and the pauSes We're frequent and of long duration,
until at length it died out altogether, and perfect
silence reigned.
In u short time Tom Dudley was fast asleep in his
easy chair, and Mabel sat with her eyes closed.
- Are yon asleep, Mabel S'' said Charley, In a low
voice.
mo - she replied, but without opening her eyes
Then there was a long, dead silence, until Charley
pulled his chair gently nearer to Mabel and leaning
poured the whole story Of his love.
Mabel had dreaded what was coming, and she never
moved. She never betrayed by single look that
she was conscious OF the Import Of his words.
Then Charley grasped her hand. and asked her to
be his wife.
wondered within himself To them fall OF tears.
4" cannot, Charley - she said. In "a husky voice
% Dontsly anything that win break our friendship;
''But what, my love2 Don't put me away,
Mabel; don't do that; couldn't bear 1t !"
and grasplng both her hands in his looked up APP
pealingy into her face
''Why not, Mabel? II not Just now, say that you
do not mean this forever have been too sudden.
say that may ask you again, MaDel!'
~ must not, Charley. Let us he friends al
ways
Then a strange dread entered Charley's soul, and
he shrank back looking wistfully into her eyes,
Mabel, has some one else-''
Mabel covered her face with her hands, and the
tears that she could not check cOursed slowly down
her cheeks, hut she said nothing.
Then Charley rose slowly, rs II In pain, from her
feet and sank into chair shading his eyes with his
hands.
50 be IT, Mabel - he murmured: and he felt that
Ia moment his life had been wlthered up within
him.
crammed from floor to ceiling with eager thrOng.
Never had Godfrey Albyn and Mabel Dudley PLAYED
with power and feeling than they did this
CASTOR, and the shouts Of applause that greeted the
scenes In which they took part spuTred them on to
greater efforts. Throughout the evening Que box-the
large pfOscehlum box ON the prompt slde-had re-
maned empty tie only unOecuped seats In the house
The thlrd act came aud, Ia due course, the great
scene OF the play. Every eye was ryeled upon the
stage; every In that assemblage was strained
To catch the slightest whisper Just AK the scene was
at MS height party OF gentlemen, With one lady
entered the empty box but no ono In the house OBJ
served the fact.
The moment arrived when Hector Blake caught
Esther his arms and rushed with her up the rocky
ascent Mabel had never felt so wildly excited In the
sceno before, and Allyn too, seemed worked up 10
pitch Of enthusiasm that lent double force his act
Ing. They reached the spot where the pause Oc-
Cured while the brlgands were trying to reach them
just then the lady In the box removed the fan with
which she had hitherto screened her eyes from the
glare of the footllghts, aud Godfrey Albyn saw her
Mabel, supposed to be In faint, felt the arm that
enclTcled her waist give cOnyulsiye pressure that
caused her 10 gasp for BREATH and she heard Albyn
utter terrible oath between his teeth.
Her lips were close 10 bis ear, and she whispered:
What Is tho matter Mr., Albynih
She thought some accident had taken place, and
that he had seen II.
Hut his voice was strangely hoarse when he whls-
pered back, "liush That box My wife - while
his whole frame treinbed with excitement.
Mabel opened her eyes for a moment, looked at his
horror-struCk face, aud with low moan slipped FROM
his and fell headlong down behind the fictitious
rocks 10 the cruel boards below
'Nith sthed cry, Albyn eaped after her; and the
audience thinking this was the climax OF the scene
Tose TO their feet and cheered TIL the rafters rang
agaiu, II all seemed so real.
Hut neither Mabel Dudley nor the manager took the
call that night
Moseley appeared, aud explained that SLIGHT acoI
dent had taken place, aud Miss Dudley had faiuted
She was slightly better and was determined to finish
the play II the audience would generously -. The
cheering from all parts OF the house drowned tho rest
OF Moseley's speech. An English audience wakes
enthusiastic over case OF indOmltable pluck.
Mabel had broken her arm, and Albyn was almost