Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-09-02

This found very disaoraeablo as
On Tue stage he was personally most
Iepe'leht 10 me. He had such a sus.
plclons, uneasy expression that / never
ieil comfortable with him except upon
the stage, and then the charm of his
acting was so powerful that he made
me forget everything but the Character
he was representing.
He was of the greatest assistance 70
me IN my art, and was quite nnt,r;ng ~
ln MS efforts to improve me. Still
had no pleasure IN his society. and
would always avoid standing in any en-
trance where | thought he would he
llkely TO come; but, do what | could
ielt he was always watching me. and al
last became quite nervous and unhaDny
about it. ~
HOne evening l was talking To Mr.
"eSIorooK, our new jettne premier.
with whom | had become very friendly
ana ne was telling me the reason he be-
Iieved Mr.. Blackburn had come down
50 In the profession.
49, \ GU must know said he. Black
burn has an awful temper: they say he
might have been London star now if
IL had not been for his temper; the re.
port Is, he attacked somebody on one
occasion; but | cannot vouch for the
truth of it. In any case, L shouldn't
IKE TO quarrel with him, for L don't
fancy am favorite of his as it is; and
do you know the reason?'
No said |, have no idea.'
"Because he knows | admire you.
1--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
MIR. Westbrooke that felt quite faint
and i'll. l mad only a glimpse at his
face. for he walked away directly | OBJ
served him.
Did you see him?' / gasped. How
fearful he lookedl Do you think he
could have heard what you said?'
81 hope not, said Mr.. Westbrook.
But. even if he did, it cannot matter
much. | am sorry TO have hurt his
feelings of course; but it takes two TO
L
not to quarrel with him.
oh, but am alarmed for you'll
cried /. His face was so terrible-he
looked as if he could have killed you'll
land is my safety of so much con-
sequence to youf" said he; and then
and then-well, the result of our con-
versation 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 one day, as we
were taking country-walk, George
said, in answer TO remark of mine on
the subject
81 expect it is because he is no longer
jealous of me-
"'But do you really think Mr.. Black
burn Is in love with me?' said L. He
has never spoken a word that could
lead me to suspect such thing. All
his conversation has been on purely pro-
fessiOnal subjects
=" "'Then why do you suppose he
watches you so intently?' asked George.
"'Well,' said /, after a moments
consideration, I've always thought it
was for purposes of professional crIti-
cism, for he is constantly coming and
telling Inc of little tricks and habits l
have that he thinks will hinder my sue
cess. l never see him gazing at me in
that peculiar manner of his without
being certain that he will come 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. II
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. or 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 me IN the least
any further than that Some day he
thinks shall make good actress, if l
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 tiatter-
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 sort of serpent
whenever we make our engagement
known
.ssIt is all very well your making
Joke of the matter, George said |; but
what YOU tell me has made me dread
fully mfortable-though mind you
will not allow that it can be as you
saw. Why should / be the last person
to discover it? l 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 ont
if a man really loved her. Any way,
trnst YOU are mistaken; l should be COM
pletely horrified if he spoke to me on
the snbject-the idea of telling him OF
our engagement in those circumstances
would frighten me to death. Good
ness knows what he might do II he con-
,idered he had been badly treated or
trifled withl' -
"sWeIl, let us hope he will be long
time making up his mind to come to
the point said George, laughing at my
countenance; but speak he
will. sooner or later, take my word for
it, ,
"sIt is very unkind Of you to laugh,
,aid | miserably; 4 wouldn't II you
we're in my position. Pm sure L don't
now how shall refuse him, especially
if he gets very violent.
"sMind YOU do find a way! said
George. looking rather alarmed. 10
accent HIM would certainly be carrying
vour consideration for his feelings
little too far.
ave dropped the subject and contln-
nad ON walking along the pleasant coun-
try road; but | no longer enjoyed 1t
everything seemed heavy and oppres-
s;ve and there was weight on my
,,,irits which / struggled against III
T.; Eaoroe rallied me on my de-