The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-04


and turns away
Robert Willard returns to the cot
tage and spends the remainder of the
morning in his own room.
At dinner Lillian is not present, and
her mother tells him she has gone to
visit a neighbor.
II snail have the wish OF my heart
at last" says Mrs Trent, in her sim.
pie, voluble way, as they linger over
their blanc mango and iced coffee.
LILLIAN is to become the wife OF the
worthiest man in town-Squire Bar
ton"
Robert Wizards face grows whiter,
but the matron is not looking at him,
and there are no traces of emotion in
his voice as he answers;
"She is a dutful daughter wish
her every happiness
Happiness lie repeats the word
with a short, bitter laugh as he rises
and goes out into the sunshine.
81 may never hope for that" he
thinks desparingly She will forget
in time, because her pride will help
her, but | who know the truth-alasl
| dread the coming years, Why do l
not defy fate and the world, let my
heart assert itself and-whatl wrong
her? No, no, it is an unworthy
thought, yet for one moment Of such
Joy | would sacrifice years OF my life,
were it not for her sake. And ! must
let that man make her his wife, while
Heaven pity me, I am helplessl"
He sees Lillian at sunset She is
sitting on the porch with the rosy
glow touching her pure white dress
and delicate face-and within two
hours she will be bound to u man by
whom her sweet beauty and guileless
mind are as little appreciated as the
grace and perfume Of flowerl
"He will crush her life as he crush
ed the rose beneath his heel the other
day." reflects Robert willard, and to
conceal the longing that well-nigh
overpowers him, he advances gravely
and greets her in tones coldly polite.
She fushes slightly, but does not
lose her composure, She has been
reading the evening paper, and, as he
takes seat near her, she raises her
beautiful eyes, and he sees that they
are misty with unshcd tears.
"There is a story here that moves
me strangely" she says, in low tones,
"a danseHse in one OF the city theatres
where they are playing fairy spec
tacular, lost her life last night on the
stage They had introduced couple
Of ofsleuth-hounds, and one OF the Great
ures becoming suddenly rabid, sprung
upon child who was saved by this
woman throwing hirself before the in
furiated beast. She died at midnight.
Was it not noble act? They des-
cribe her as very beautiful Life must
have been sweet to her, yet she sacri-
fees it for child's sake"
at might have been generosity OF
recklessness," thinks Robert Willard
because something in the story arous
es his bitter, cynical nature, but he
says aloud:
at was an act worthy Of commenda
ton. Was the daaseuse one O.
fame?'
"No, she was not a PREMIERE Hel
name was Celeste Angot"
With passionate cry, Robert vii
lard leaps to his feet, and snatches th,
paper from her grasp, staring with dis
tended eyes at the printed sheet he
fore him.
Celeste Angotw he mutters, anC
then sinks into the chair beside hin
with his hands pressed upon his tenn
piles.
II am glrd her last act was a worth,
one" he sa. 8, as ii to himself "Slp
may now hrd mercy"
Lillian has aris IN and stands befor
, him with pale face and wondering
eyes. He reaches out and clasps he
? hands in his own.
Lillian" he says, chat woman wa
, my wifep
"Your wifel" she echoes.
Eyes, l married her in moment {
infatuation. She deserted me and be
: gan her career on the stage. Yo
: know now why / have seemed so cole
i so Indifferent. | love you, Lillian,
have loved you all the while Yo
Q shall not marry James Barton, bC
n cause, Lillian, dearest, ! want you fc