The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-09-10

don't know where Mrs. Chester's eyes
could have been, for Miss Jeanne Penn
broke is pretty-decidedly so-though
of course, not beauty like Flora Cole
man.
Captain Louis Vernon has long drill
ed his handsome features to mask the
emotions of his heart, but, as the slight
willowy form and lustrous gray eyes
suddenly appear before him, his dark
face blanches in spite OF him, and his
dusky eyes fill with look of unut,er-
able pain and passion.
"You y he murmurs huskily, as he
bends for second over the little white
hand she extends, then casts it from
him, almost rudely, as though he fears
its slight touch.
Late in the evening she plays her
part in the tabeaux vivants which
have proved so entertaining.
The stage is set for the balcony
scene in "Romeo and Juliet" Below,
looking the very beau ideal of manly
grace and beauty in his picturesque
dress, stands Lloyd Chester, while
smiling down upon him from her bal
cony, a world of tenderest passion in
her deep gray eyes-in every line and
curve Of her expressive, mobile face, of
her willowy, bending, lissom figure
stands the beautiful, impassioned Juliet
Jeanne Pembroke.
Dead silence reigns. Though not a
word is spoken, she thrills every heart
with the wondrous, intense power of
her acting. Is it acting or is that
passion with which her whole being
seems instinct, real passion?
Many ask themselves that question
as they watch the scene in silence
that is almost painfully intense.
Flora Coleman, as her eyes chance
to fall upon her ailianced lover where
he stands partially hidden in the shad-
ow of curtained arch, gives a sudden
violent start.
He is leaning forward, apparently
forgetful of everything but the stage
picture before him his teeth are tight.
ly set, his dark eyes seem to burn with
a gloomy fire, and if ever jealous pain
and passion were written on ="
face it is stamped or - ..,vme
countenance Of ~ ..suis Vernon
at this momey
"What can it mean ~ she thinks,
while a wondering, half glad light
breaks over her beautiful dusky face.
"Can it be that he has fallen in love
with her-this wondrous Juliet-at
the first meeting2'
When the tableaux are all over the
guests disperse to partake of ices or to
wander about at their own sweet will
Down under the white lilac bushes a
couple are speaking in low, half broken
murmurs-a dusky-haired, beautiful
woman and blue, eyed. handsome man
81 could stay here forever" she is
saying in voice that is perfect music
in its soft, unconscious tenderness.
"With Captain Vernon adds the
man, an underthrill OF bitterness in his
jealous tones.
"Or-without him." said Flora
scarcely ABOVE her breath.
"You wear his ring-you are soon
to be his wife--you must care for him.
Ah, heaven !" with a choking sigh, 81
never envied any man until"
"Listen, Lloyd-Mr. Chester" she
breaks in swiftly, and her very voice
seems to have blush in it. 81 am
bound to Captain Vernon, and if find
that he does, indeed, love me, | shall
not break my pledge. We met in
society, and felt a great triumph in
winning him, he was so universally
sought, and so cool and Indifferent tc
all women. He was never an ardent
lover, and believe now that-he cares
for some one else,' her voice almos,
failing in her confusion. "And if
But here Lloyd Chester stopped and
caught her two little jeweled hands in
his, in crushing grasp.
"Flora !" he utters huskilv, "don',
mock mel For Gods sake don't tritlt
with me now! Better 20 and leav,
me to my fate without a word. l an
but a plain farmer, and yet l hav,
dared"
"But a splain farmer!' she echoes
with a sweet, low laugh. "Lloyt
Chester, you are king among men
to me. | will say this, though We
should never meet like this again r'
"Flora!'
"Yes, Lloyd, l mean it. But hush
where are those voices Some one ha
perhaps, been lsstening,' and she drov,
him back step as two voices cam,
very close indeed.
81 cannot endure it, Jeanne-I vii
not y says one of them, in low, mos
passionate accents, and Flora gives
great start, for it is Captain Vernon
who speaks, "My God ! l thought
should go mad with jealousy to-nigh
when / saw you looking at anothe
with such passion in your eyes. All
| if it had been real'-and he caugh
his breath with a stifled gasp"
think that | should have killed him
"Hush, hush, Louis!' says girl
voice, soft and pleading. 81 will no
let you talk so. | would have listene,
two years ago, had not been boun,
by that schoolgirl betrothal. Bu
now"
"Now that you are free you find m
bound by bethrothal,' he breaks in
with a kind of savage despair. "Bu
| will not give you up this time, m
Jeanne-I cannot. You may reminC
me of my honor, but all the pledges il
the universe should not stand between
two hearts that love ~
"You are right, Louis cries Flora
in sweet happy tones, as she steps ou
into the path before them. "And
thank God that no heart will sutfe
through our broken VOWS. Here lay
ing her white hard on Lloyd Chester
arm, 'here is the king of my heart-
it passed into his keeping weeks age
And here" turning to Jeanne with
lovely smile, sis the queen of yours
What happy destiny that brough
us all here together under the lilac,
and saved us from a terrible, life Ion
mistake!' y
81 always believed in destiny" say
Louis, lifting Floras dainty hand wit
grateful tenderness to his smiling lips
Il =.