The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-07-01

silent. 1t had been until now remark
ably demonstrative, and its present
quiet argued triumph. When at last
the applause broke out at the fa J OF the
curtain, il sounded through the whole
building like hurricane. Mary slip
ped out Of the room and saw her father
answer three times to the resounding
! plaudits of the audience This pleased
her so that for the moment she forgot
her little nervous anxieties and thrilled
and glowed with pride in him.
"Since Macready played here last,
said the stsge-manager, 81 assure you,
! Miss Basssts, there has been no such
performance witnessed here"
The company applauded behind the
scenes when the great man came back
after his final bow, and he saluted them
in solemn silence. He signed to his
daughter to await him, and the stage
manager politely entertained her in the
green-room until Othello appeared, pale
and languid, in his glossy bioadcloth
and spotless linen, TO escort her home.
''You had great triumph tonight,
papa" she said, taking his arm as they
came upon the street.
II do not care to speak OF it, said
Mr.. Bassett. II have other things to
think Of" The girl was discounted,
without knowing why. The little fears
and anxieties about Jack began to come
back again. and to assume larger pro-
portions. Her elastic step grew dull on
a sudden, and she walked in silence.
Their lodgings were not far from the
theater, and were soon reached.
..Mary," said her father, facing her in
the sitting-room; 81 have heard very
unpleasant news this evening. Has MIR.
Cameron replied to your letter."
NO" she answered, with apale face
, and eyes widened.
"If,m said the tragedian, dashing his
hat upon the ground-'if he has trifled
with you-but no. 1t is beyond be-
lief.
'Papar' she said, quietly enough.
''What is itp There is nothing to be
alarmed at in this brief delay. Some
d thing has prevented him from writing
A | shall hear tomorrow"
4 81 am not eager to suspect him,
u said the actor, walking up and dowr
u the room with disordered step. "Bu
t. If he has played you false, 1t were bet
+ ter for him that his mother had no
l. borne him."
u you know somethingp" she began
mo. You know nothing against Jack
70 am not at all alarmed about him.
10 shall hear tomorrow.
IS 'It would be false mercy to shielt
o YOU from the truth, my child, said he
!. father, pausing in his walk, and regard
ing her with terror-stricken face. g
!" have tried to doubt it, but it is beyon'
l. doubt"
s. Mr.. Montgomery Bassett was un
s doubtedly, unless all his critical con
al temporaries lied or were mistaken, a fin
ll actor; but neither he nor any actor tha
r ever trod the boards could have acte
r. the face and voice with which he spoke
20 He knew that well enough, and h
o trembled lest his child should read him
N But his CONSERVATION and misery wer
o, so real that the girl never doubted th
Or origin of his disturbance, and so th
IS. very cowardice with which he playe
b. his part helped him to vs. prope
Dk presentation.
m "What Is itP" she asked, deiiantly
"Tell me-
=" "What Is itP" he cried, turning h
ne miserable white face upon her. '.He
h. a hound, scoundrel. He has abuse
O. your faith. He is here in SouthamI
he ton nowhere in the town-visiting I'll
ID woman to whom he will be married
at fortnight-if he lives so long"
is The girls face was as white as hi
'e- but she answered quietly:
e; "You have been deceived. l don
nd believe it, papa. refuse to thin
r. about it. won't dishonor him, and
az won't dishonor myself, by thinking
nc it seriously for a second. Her ow
on denial gave her conference.-the vel
ng sound OF her own voice quieted and 70
e. tilted her. "Poor, dear papa" 81
as said, standing on tiptoe to embra'
hls him, and speaking with half-gay pi
S. now that she was so sure at hea
an again. II can see how much you ha'
Sc been troubled by this silly tale. 2"
WI my poor child" he answere
=. ghastlier than ever now my po
"a childp'
au az He sank into chair and shed re
10 10 tears. What with whisky and th
~ 'ns stale, 1ogged passion Of his bushes
'ne and her tenderness, and his remors
,Ia I and pretenses, he was all unstrun
'ns 'nS and as he wept he did half feel risil
'e J rage against Jack Cameron, and pi
~. nt for his own child. as II the lie had
-. -. been gospel truth. A mere comm
,u' liar could not have risen to this heig
40 ss' Of mendacity. Poets reach such
v i,h stage in the pursuance Of their cr'
i.h .i.n sometimes, and Mr.. Bassett had spe
i'i bis life in the stimulation and the pr
r.. tice OF the emotions.
he His tears shook her faith, and she
md gan to cling to him, half in pity a
ale half in terror lest the dreadful ste
mo- should be true. He took her head
~ his breast 30 that she might ]
- see his face, and she felt the 81
han that shook him. 1t broke upon
! N then that It was-it must be -beyont
scL doubt In his mind, or he would not
ia SO moved. But then the loyalty OF
'rI. own heart rose in rebellion at the shar
,ze. full story. She recalled her love
b,s kisses; she saw the laughing, TEN
ma light in his honest eyes-surely his e.
o,,t were honest--she felt his strong, ma
49, | arm ahotit her whist: her head Law aQ