New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-22

wonted glimpse of his neck visible. But you saw
| good deal of bis cravat which was green barred
with broad yellow stripes and pierced by pin tnat
appeared to be hand of pink coral cutching gold
! en- dumb-bel. HIS figure was slender almost 20
and bulky ridges that you at once placed their atm
leic proportions among the most courageous irauds
| OF tailoring.
| The orchestra had now begun TO play lively and
| rather dangerous prelude. And meanwhile claire
was gradually made to learn that Mr. John Slo-
cumb was keeping up cool, persistent stare az Ier
| halt-averted face. She soon became troubled by
IBIS unrelaxlng scrutiny, as minutes slipped py.
Mr.. Slocumb had a slim black cane that looked like
polished and rounded whalebone, and ended in the
head of bulldog with two white specks of ivory
Tor It's eyes Holding tins bet ween his knees ne
flung 1T from hand to another in nervous oscll-
| latlOn, while continuing bis stare.
| lie had decided that Claire was damned good
looking glri He had secret contempt for her
pabilltes of their muscle. and he had practical
reasons for feeling sure that his own wiry frame
held easy resources for the humiliation of poor
little Jimmy" She looks putty bigh-toned.' he was
rejecting, but guess that's on'y, put,up job to
tease teller She can't be much If she's along with
that young I'm. I'll say somepn.'
He was on the verge of carrying out this resolve
and addressing Claire, when an event occurred
which had the effect of thwarting his meditated
The mind Of James MacNab was dull and sluggish.
But he had seen way of perhaps securing for HIM
self the undivided attention Of Josie. He did not wait
for the latter 10 sanction his design he feared her
opposition to it, and suddenly spoke leaning Tor
ward again with hrs look directed iu upon Claire.
friend o mine. Mr. Slocumb. Mr.. Slocumb, Miss
Twinin', Miss Twinin'. Mr.. Slocumb"
During this ponderous formula OF presentation
Claire had started, colored. turned toward the
nelghbor thus pointedly named. and finally bowed
with extreme GOODNESS at once re-avertlng her face
after dong So
She seized the chance Of whispering to Josie
"Wby did he do that don't want to meet any
strangers tonight, hoped he would understand
" ned ought to-" replied Josie, in swift aside.
The next moment she addressed Mr.
Mn'NaS Claire could hn not hear ws4
ity of gesture somewhat plainly denoted
reprimand. Her remarks. whatever their nature
were met in stolid silence. He who received them
rather enjoyed being scoded by Josie. Her wrath
had the charm of eIcusiveness; for the time, at
least. 1t vouchsafed TO HIM her unshared heed
decent show S'G tonight" he sand. They
cay It lays over most ev'rythng that's been
Clare was now forced to iurn and look at the
speaker Ioionore him was no longer to preserve
the barriers of her disregard he had become an
authorized nuisance cIyllity from herself had
taken the instant shape of debt, due her present
escort.
Il shall be glad IL il il good play" she said Her
tones chill aud forced her manner was re-
pellent because so restrained Immediately after
speaking she looked nj the stage he orchestra nad
just stopped its brassy tnmults The green width vi
curtain was slowly rolling upward.
The play began. II was one of those mclodramas
that are the despair of reformatory critics. yet
reach the protective approval of the popuace
through scenic. novelty, swift action
and vivid If coarse-llned. por;raitures.
Claire was too infrequent theatre
gocr not promptly to fall under the spell wrought by
a playwright def enough for the capture OF others
far more experienced than she IN tricks oil climax,
dialogue and situation.
Occasionally during the progress of this act she
would murmur pleased comments 10 Josie. She
BETRAYED an interest that was childish; she had
forgotten the proximity OF Slocumb He still stared
at her; he had not been cfectualy repulsed by her
suppressed coiorlcss dcmcanor. Her refined accent,
and the musicale quality nseparabe at all times from
her voice. had affected him like new sensation. lie
JAILED 10 follow the actors while they diligently
stored up material for future agony. lie had
enormous conhd nee in his powers of fascination
with women IL did not occur 10 him that Claire
might be lady. He knew nothing OF ladies' lie
had met some women who dIsliked him at
sight ho would have none OF him. whose fortrosses
OF prejudice be could not storm But these Incidents
Of dsfavor were raro his list OF conquests lar ont
She's plavin' off, sped his further reflections.
more shaped in the vcrnacularoi actual speech
III Jet up ON her fur spell When The iusi acts
through I'll tackle her agn. She amt 5 oiish rs
she looks. Bet she ain'tP
Tho act progressed. and at length ended. It's
fndir forrtold a plenitude OF woe and disaster;
great deal Of pipe. 10 speak, had been laid Tor
future calamity everything promised To be IN,
element and compositions he audience exchanged
murmurs Of grim APPRECIATION; II was gong To get
its moneys worth of horror
But now IN event abruptly took place. which for
lurd reality far echpscd all within the limits of can
va. and calcium Just as the drup-cuttaln had
reached halfway IN us descent. sud Ten burst OF
flame seen TO gu,h from one OF the wings 1t
may At once be sand that the fire was completely
eItiugu she'd after the curtain had touched the
boards. and that nothing more serious had caused
II than the momentary cOnilagration OF some
gauZe sidc-sccne which was 10 serve IN coming
effect of misty moonlight.
But tho large mass of people who witnessed
the blaze and who saw and smelt the smoke IA u
curled and eddied black spurts iorth from behind
the edges OF the EN- curtain, had no knowledge
OF their own slight peril Here, in the upper
uer- tncY rose impetuously; IL was prompt ana
general pane. Dashcs were made, on every maud
toward the starcas"s. Cries of "tre " sounded
from many throats. Claire felt herself swept
by sheer bodily pressure at least twenty
yards. A few seconds before TINS She had heard
a sort OF whimpering shrek from Josie Morley ana
then had seen sldeong wedge Of close packed
humanity pry Itself between her own form ana
that OF the girl. Josie was cllngipg WIN bolh
hands t. the arm oi James MacNho Al tho lhomehV
Claire was more shocked than frightened.
She had never before found herself IN
ply steal danger; tonight was crucial
test for her nerve aud GOODNESS Both |
stood the test well. John Slocumb. who had kept |
close az her side with his stout arm hrmly clasped |
about her waist now felt thrill OF admiration a. |
she lurned To nm and quietly said, while the, stood
TANNED togcthe: IN the painting thtong whose very
iiercrness of impetus had produced for 1t brief,
terrible calm: "YOu needn't hold me Ike that, II 1
you please. There's no use OF II"
We sometimes hear of the ruling passion that rs |
strong N death. Claire knew there was danger Oh
her being crushed. But she had not lost |
her head. rs tho phrase goes. she couid |
sill prefer soil airy extinction to the fate OF being
annihllated while in tho embrace Of Mr. John slo-
cumb $3.50, 49,, -.
tered, at you'd rather go II alone
4" would thank you." said Claire.
VI.
Bnt IA IL happened they were not separated. |
The crowd, pouring down either staircase soon