The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-29
IA ROMANCE OF STAGE LIFE,
tExchanre.l

pany the teaotnk ACtot CT WuiCn ptWS the subject of my story. Leslie Grant was tall, han 1some fellow, possessed ot all the endowments requisite in Q success ful actor. namely. fiae figure, good face, clear voice, and the air of A gentleman a fine pair of earnest gray eyes, head like Byron's, covered with short, black, crisp curss, and . mcuxtacae which sS.! grace fully over a we'll. shaped mouth to match.
 Oar leading lady, Evelioe Granville, seemed to any observer to have been born to the stage. She was the most beautiful woman ] ever saw; l thought so then, when a young man, and think so now, when my hair IS tinged with gray, Miss Granville being fair as lily, aud 1 Leslie as dark as an italian, they To oked remarkably we'll on the stage as lovers. We were playing Shakespeare's dramas. and Leslie acted superbly ln any scene with Evelne. He was very popular among us, but was jealous of Eveline; not ct stage honoss, bu; because he loved her. Leslie told me he was engaged to her, but the course of true love Fever did run smooth, and shortly aferward they quarrelled, the engagement being broken of believe Leslies jealousy was at the bottom of it, for Eveline was very high spirited, and would not brook interference It was amusing fro n the wingsto see her saying words of love to him, and then rush of the stage biting her lips and tear. ing her gloves to shreds, showing that some bitter sarcasm on the stage had struck home. The next opportunity she had she would pay him back in his own coin. On one occasion Leslie wen, through the part of Romro with a scowl that might have scared many a /niirf, and the next morning, with a demure courtesy and most provoking smile, Eveline presented him wi,h a newspaper containing a notice of the performance to the effect "tha; whilst the /Hiief of Miss Granville was beyond all praise, the Ron.so Of Mir. |. Grant was a mos, trucu. lent fellow, more inclined to fight with his ladylove than taste the sweetness of her lips"
 Leslie could not stand this. One day demonstrated with him on the subj ect. "Mr. Scott" he said shortly, |" can t help it she will be the death of me some of these days, as she is the most provok- ing coquette ever came across.' re- mons,rated again. only to be snubbed, so let things take their course.
 l wonder if shall ever forget what follows. We had been rehearsing "As You Like It," Leslie taking the part ot Orlando and Eveline the part of RoSd Hnd. That night the house was packed t; all had gone we'll til we got 10 the second scene, when there came all at once ter rife roar. There had been an explosion of gas, and the stage was on lire. IL ek I 1 1sA k,,R moment, and saw the flames and fright. eped faces, heard the screams of terrified women and children, the struggling and surging oi panic stricken crowd. As l sprang forward with the vague intention of helping knew no, what or whom, something struck me on the head, stun- ning me into insensibllity. When l re- turned to consciousness l was lying on the bed in my own lodgings, my head tightly bandaged, and 1 felt a sensation of giddiness and pain. stared about me little in confusion, and then my memory returned in full vivdness I arose and slowly walked to the window, which had a good view of the fire. The stree. was full of people, the red glare falling on their upturned faces. The fire men made gallant but unavailing at tempts to save the building: with crash and fierce roar the roof fell in. watched silently, as if fascinated. l then lay down and slept soundy. The first thing did in the morning was 10 rush to the window and look out. Only the bare and blackened walls of the theatre remained. whilst men were employed in erecting barrie ide around the danger ous runs. went out into the busy street, which was crowded with people discussing the event. No. far away, l esr;ed Mr Roberts, the manager. and by dint of little pushing got to him.
 was just coming to ask about you" he said, shaking my hand '' This IS a bad business, by George! It's all up with me-" l murmured my sympathy, and asked him If any one had been hurt Some of the audience trampled on," he replied, "but Leslie Grant has fared the worst, in saving Eveline's life l doubt he has done for his own. It took fireman his best to save him. poor old !e!lo~, or rather what was Jeff of him Roberts blew his nose vehemently to hide hls feel ings, and, after inqlinng where Leslie was, l made my way 10 the hospital, whither he had been carried.
 They took me to a room where he lay, swathed m cotton wool soaked with oil. horribly dis6gur-d. ca, how changed he was. A few hours ago he was in the full vigor of nanh ood, now disabled cripple His own mother would hardly b lave recognized him. l went down on my knees beside him, aud spoke to him William, is l, your" he said feebly. Get hold of my hand, old fellow {; tt uch me, will you TOT l can't sec you, Willie, 1 am blind 1"
 Reader, do you think it unmanly for a man to shed tears? Here, admit, that cried like little child. There were 6owers and fruit beside him {; knew from whom they came, Il was the least thing she could do for him, who for her had lost all his manly b.au,y-aye, more than life. l was glad to leave the ward, you sec my accident had made me weak The doctor told me he would ge: better, k..k k~ A- .~C f