The Penn's Grove record., 1885-08-29


'This / found very d~isagreeable, as
off the stage he was personally most
repellent to me. He had such a sus-
picious, uneasy expression that | never
felt comfortable with him except upon
the stage, and then the charm of his
was so powerful that he made
me forget everything but the character
he was representing.
"He was of the greatest assistance to
me in my art, and was quite untlrinG
in his efforts to improve me. Still
had no pleasure 10 his society, and
would always avoid standing in any en-
trance where | thought he would be
likely to come; bit, do what | could. l
felt he was always watching me, and at
last became quite nervous and unhappy
about it.
lone evening [ was talking to Mr..
Westbrook, our new jeUne premier,
with whom | had become very friendly.
and he was telling me the reason he be-
lieved Mr.. Blackburn had come down
so in the profession.
"'You must know said he, Black
burn has an awful temper; they say he
might have been a London star now if
it had not been for his temper; the re-
port is, he attacked somebody on one
occasion; but | cannot youch for the
truth of it. In any case, | shouldn't
like to quarrel with him, for | don't
fancy l am a favOrite of his as it is; aud
do you know the reason?'
"'No.' said |, | have no idea.'
"'Because he knows | admire you
"We had Just arrived at this stage
of our conversation, thinking we were
alone, when | heard a slight sound, and
turning quickly, saw Mr.. Blackburn
standing close behind us, looking with
an expression SO savage and horrible at
Mr.. Westbrooke that | felt quite faint
and i'll. l had only a glimpse at his
face, for he walked away directly l OBJ
served him,
"'Did you see him?' ! gasped. How
fearful he looked Do you think he
could have heard what you saidp'
"'I hope not said Mr.. Westbrook.
But. even if he did, it cannot natter
much. L am sorry to have hurt his
feelings of course; but it takes two to
make a quarrel, and | am determined
not to quarrel with him.
ooh, but | am alarmed for you'll
cried |. His face vas so terrible-he
looked as if he could have killed you'll
.s'And is my safety of SO much con-
sequence to yol,?" said he; and then
and then-well, the result of our con-
v~ersation was that, when we left the
theatre that night, [ was engaged to be
married TO George Westbrook, and was
so happy that | had entirely forgotten
Mr.. Blackburn, his temper, and all his
uncomfortable ways
"For some weeks after this things
went on smoothly and quietly. Mr..
Blackburn still interested himself in
my success, and, although he continu-
ed to watch me narrowly, his manner
was much softer and altogether more
agreeable. | could not understand this
change in him, until n day, as we
were taking a country-walk, George
said, in answer to a remark OF mine on
the subject
81 expect it is because he is no longer
jealous of me-
"'But do you really think MI. Black
burn is in love with mep' said L. lie
has never spoken a word that could
lead me to suspect such a thing. All
his conversation has been on purely pro-
fessional subjects
"sThen why do you suppose he
watches you so intentlyp' asked George.
"'Well,' said L, after a moments
consideration, I've always thought it
was for purposes of professional crlti-
cism, for he is constantly coming and
telling me of little tricks and habits /
have that he thinks will hinder my sue
cess. | never see him gazing at me in
that peculiar manner of his without
being certain that he will come a little
later on and find fault with something
either | have been standing on one
leg, or opening my mouth on one side,
or dropping my voice at the end OF a
sentence, or something equally obJec-
tionably and inartlstic in his eyes. If
he wants to inspire me with any feeling
of affection. he certainly adopts a curl
Gus method; he has never given me a
word of appreciation since ! have known
him. OF course | know he is interres-
ted in me, because he takes so much
trouble on my account; but honestly |
do not think he cares for mi l n the least
any further than that some day he
thinks | shall make a good actress, if |
have a helping hand in the right direc
ton and, being a thorough artist, he
feels bound to do what he can for me.
"'My dear, you may lay that hatter-
ing JUNCTION to your soul if you like;
but | am right and you are wrong,
Everybody in the theatre says the same
i wonder YOU have never heard of it.
really sympathize with the poor man,
continued George, and feel quite gull.
ty toward him, especially as for the last
week he has been so much kinder to me
He'll look upon me as a sort OF serpent
whenever we make u engagement
KNOWN
"tIt is all very well your making 9
Joke of the matter, George said /; but
what you tell me has made me dread
fully Observation-Disclosures, mind you
| will not allow that it can be as yor
say. Why should l be the last person
to discover it? | knew you admired
me the first time | ever saw you. No
George, | cannot believe that any wo'
man could be so blind as not to find out
if a man really loved her. Any way, ]
trust you are mistaken; | should be com
pletely Mortified if he spoke to me OF
the SUBJECTIVE idea of telling him OF
our engagement in those circumstances
would frlghten me to death. Good
ness knows what he might do If he con
sidered he had been badly treated o.
trifed withl'
"'Well, let us hope he will be a Ions
time making up his mind to come t.
the point. ; said George, laughing at my
dIsmayed countenance; but speak he
will, sooner or later, take my word fol
it,
"sIt is very unki2a Of you to laugh,
said miserablg; 4 wouldn't if yol
were in my position. I'n sure ! dom
know how | shall refuse him, especial!
if he gets very Violent
"'Mind you do find a wayl' SAID
George, looking rather alarmed. III
accept HIM would certainly be carrying
your consideration for his feelings
little too far
"We dropped the subject and contin
ued on walking along the pleasant coun
try road; but | no longer enjoyed it
xz..l haa1r and nnnraa