The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-20

sign Of repentance in him, would per-
| haps overlook his sins, and allow her to
recover. Then (though it would have
been fatal to his prospects to confess as
much at presenD when the danger was
over he could do what he liked.
There is no reason to linger over the
sufIerings the great tragedian had
brought upon his daughter. They en-
tailed much suffering upon himself,
much discomfort, and some money
losses-for he was compelled to sacri-
| flee fortnight's starring at Manchester
and a week in Sheffield. Theatrical
papers reported Miss Bassett's illness
with comments, pitying and laudatory,
on Mr. Bassett When Mary began to
get little strong again, he left her IN
the care of a maiden sister and the
| hired nurse, and went upon his tour
again, travelling lonely for a month or
so. Encouraging letters reached him
often, and now and then a line from
the girl herself, short and feebly writes n,
but full of a trust and affection which
wounded him while it soOthed. For he
knew what a scoundrel he had been
and what a scoundrel he meant to be,
and it was at once painful and pleasant
to know that her trust in him was undis-
turbed. That pale magenta nose of his
began to assume deeper tint, for in
these days he drank good deal to keep
his courage up, and to flood his con-
science, and so to render it inaccessible
to Reproach. who generally, it would
seem, prefers to go dry-shod. But
Mary gradually grew better, youth and
a good constitution being on her side,
and against her will she began to see
that She must 90 on living. Living,
since Jack was false, promised to be
but a dull business, yet she bent herself
to the task like a woman. She had her
father to live for, and that was some
thing. She saw growing signs of age
in him, and although he had always
been kind to her in speech and manner,
he had never been so kind as now.
Her care for his advancing years, and
the tenderness to which, for time at
least, his accusing conscience stung
him, formed double bond.
Things went on in this way until at
the approach of early winter Mr.. Mont
at the Lane. He was wont to play
nothing but Shakespeare, and to de-
clare that nothing but Shakespeare was
worth playing, hut the new, big, spec
tacular and historical play was likely to
run for some months, and Mary wanted
rest.
Young Weatherley, though out of our
sight all thiA time, had not been idle.
He had friends in plenty, as any young
fellow with his income was likely to
have; and some of them, who wanted to
be faithful and to keep their own share
of the loaveS and fishes, told him cam
didly what a silly thing it would be for
him to marry an actors daughter. But
he went on growing in his own way
more and more attached to the girl,
and more and more determined to win
her. He was bitterly incensed at Jack
Cameron's desertion of her, even
though il paved the way for his own ad-
vance, and he used to 90 about breath
ing threats and slaughter against that
unhappy young artist, who knew moth
ing OF his enmity.
Now that this settlement in London
was decided upon, young Weatherley
took advantage of it by hiring cham
bers in the albany. where he lived in
great splendor. Mr.. Montgomery Bas-
Sett was there often, and the gildeG
youth and the tragedian were to be
seen together on any fine day in the
Strand, loungirg in the humble portico
Of the CannbaEs, or walking arm-in-
arm; each behind a Partagas Of young
providing. The young
man was pretty often to be seen in
Squaye, and he became a
familiar figure to Mary. 1t need
scarcely be said that on his daughters
Mr.. Bassett's scruples of con-
science had vanished. 1t need scarely
be said either that, in a man of Mr..
Bassett'S temperament. the lies he had
old about Jack Cameron soon began to
ook true by virtue of repetition, or that
he actor began to hate the man he had
% deceived and injured.
As in the great world, so in the lesser
worlds of which the great is made.
That which by the silliest of modern
calls itself .SOciety is quite !
q small affair when contrasted with So
ciety at large, and in the theatrical and
artistic professions there are eclectic !
sets which occupy relatively the same
position. Mr.. Montgomery Bassett,
when he chose, could move in the in
nermost theatrical circle, and he began
now to visit it in company with his
daughter and Weatherley. They were
a good deal seen together, and it was
generally taken for granted that Miss
BasSett and Mr.. Weatherley were zen
gagged"
Now that was a condition of things
for which young Weatherley ardent1y
sighed and the great tragedian labored.
He chanted Weatherley's praises all day
long. A good lad; frank. unaffected,
honest nature; young fellow of the
most honorable impulses - not very
clever, perhaps, but a good fellow,
good fellow.
81 wish, papa" said the girl, one
"that you would find some
other topic. am little tired of Mr.
Grief and illness had
not soured a naturally sweet temper;
but they had left a sense of irritabillty
behind them. Mr. Bassett was one of
those men who imperatively demand 10
be browbeaten, and he was sometimes
little afraid of his daughter. But in
this case his interests pricked him for
ward.
MY DEAR" he said, tenderly, Il
hope not"
''And why do you hope not?" asked
the girl, drawing her little hgure to its
full height
Because, my dear" he answered.
seeing clearly that just then he dare
give no further reason, Il am more at
tached to Mr.. Weatherley than to any
other young man know, and | should