Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-02-14

ing figure-and as she reached the top, dash
ed up again and overlook her.
"Miss de Beaupre lis it possible, or do |
dream?" he exclaimed extending both
hands, as she stopped in surprise and faced
him.
'sMr. Mallory" she family replied, as she
mechanically responded to his greeting.
"My dear young lady, have you dropped
from the skies? l had no idea you were in
this part of the world-a most delightful
surprise-most opportune! May ask the
favor of brief interview with you?" he
hurried on, with much eagerness and en-
presSnle1at of manner
Celestine faltered, colored, and looked
down; she was evidently struggling with
some great embarrassment of feeling, and
seemed uncertain how to reply.
81 am only here on a short visit-for
few hours" she stammered at length.
"There is scarcely time"
''Nfy dear Miss de Beaupre, / won't de-
tain you long-I have something OF the
greatest importance to say to you-pray
don't refuse mer' cried the black-Whisker-
ed gentleman, more earnestly than ever;
and perceiving that some people were COM
ing along the hall towards them, and not
wishing to attract observation, she reluc-
tantly led the way to a small parlor near
the head of the stairs, which was used for
the accommodation of transient visitors,
and at present was unoccupied.
Mr.. Mallory was a theatrical manager
and had known Celestine well in former
days, during the exercise of her profession.
He was good-hearted, respectable man,
and she had rather liked him; but it gave
her an indescribable shock to be brought
now so suddenly face to face with person
connected with that life, which she had SO
entirely cast aside and striven to forget.
Of course he was entirely ignorant Of her
present circumstances, and of the different
platforms on which they stood; and ad-
dressing her as if she were still in the same
line of life as formerly, he commenced rap
idly to pour forth a tale of his grievances
and perplexities, in which, he said, he
hoped she would generously consent to
come to his aid. He had arrived in San
Francisco only the day before, having made
contract with one O. the theatres there,
where his company was to perform during
given time; and now on this, when was
to be the opening night, he would have to
disappoint the public, and change his entire
programme, because his leading lady had
chosen to fail sick and had to give up her
part.
"It is really the most disastrous occur
renee! the worst that could happen," he
vehemently declared. eff it wasn't the
very first evening 1 should not mind SO
much but to fail at the beginning will ruin
all my prospects. l have been moving
heaven and earth to find somebody to tlll
Miss Dunham's place, but without success
and the theatre people are mad about it
and am lust fairly distracted. When l
saw you, the first ray of hope shot through
my heart! My dear Miss de Beaupre-my
dear, kind young friend-you will surely
take pity on my distress, and help ME out
of so unfortunate a dilemma? The part is
JNiet-you know it so WE'LL have not
forgotten your immense success in New
York-will you not take it for me, for my
sake, just for this one night? l am sure
you willn'
He had run on so rapidly up to this point
that he had given his listener no chance to
interrupt or explain; but now ne stopped,
fairly out of breath.
sNlr. Mallory, YOU are laboring under
a great mistake" said Celestine quietly,
though her heart was beating fast. I" am
grieVed that cannot help yOu-but-"
"Ah! you are already under an engage
ment then how disappointing!-how UNI
lucky ~ cried the manager, clasping his
brow tragically, and scowling at the carpet.
''The fates are certainly against me-"
81 am not under any engagement" Celes-
tine quickly rejoined. II ann married-l
not acted for years."
ssNo longer in the profession Miss de
Beaupre, you astound me !" exclaimed the
manager. "How could you abandon it
you, so Oeminently fitted to become its bright
est ornament-you, at your tender age, al
ready shining light? oh, it is incredible"
headed with mOurnful pathOs. "But sure
ly you cannot have forgotten what you
were so familiar with-surely for once you
would consent to act the part ?'
81 could hot-do not ask me-" murmured
Celestine, already shaken by his earnestness'
and turning away her head. "1t is abso-
lutely impossible"
"Have you forgotten the role of Jnliet
does it not all come back to you, as you re.
flect-oh surely you have not forgotten"
urged Mr.. Mallory skilfully assuming that
point as her chief objection. "1believe you
could recall it, every word, if you Would.'
Forgotten no, certainly she had not for
gotten it. She had loved that rOle-to her
mind, Shakspere's lovliest and most pathet-
ic creation She had made herself mistress
of it, had thrown herself into it heart and
soul. How was it possible that she should
forget it?
The manager, who was watching her close
ly. saw in her changing color, her rapidly
shifting expression, something which SEEM
ed to give warrant of hope.
''NIiss de Beaupre, | will give you five
hundred dollars, cash down, by twelve
O'Clock to night, ifyou will take the part, ne
suddenly said II wouldn't make the offer
to every one-you must admit that Pm lib
eral-but we are old friends, and besides,
Pm too hard pushed to care to drive bar
gain Will you accept?"
Five hundred dollars! to the rich and
prosperous, an insignificant sum-to Celes-
tine, in her present strait, fortune. With
five hundred dollars, what comforts for
Silas, for their household, could she not pro-
cure: But then-ddred she to earn it in
such way"" ,
A voice within her said, "Why not:
there would be no absolute wrong. in it.
For once, Just once-for such recompense-
and no one need ever find Out-or at any
rate no one but your husband, and he would
forgive you, knowing your motive: HIS
health, perhaps his life, is at stake for the
want of few dollars to procure him what
he needs. Is it not your duty to afford him
this relief if you CAM"
All this, and more passed swiftly through
her mind, as she sat there with aVerted
gaze, her hands clasped tightly together,
her heart throbbing high with the painful
ness of the sudden, fierce struggle awaken
ed within it.
"Come, you'll accept" said Mr.. Mallory
at last. in his most persuasive tone. "You
shall have a rehersal at four o'clock-oppor
tunity i'm the mean time to brush up your
memory, if you find it a little rusty-no
trouble about costumes, everything ready
to your hand-not a particle of responsibili-
tv anywhere. Just place yourselfunder my
guidance-co in me, and you know
you can rely on my friendship, and on my
Judgment"