Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-08
CHAPTER VI.

TELLS HOW THE BLACK AND YELLOW FAN SENDS As I sat stupeficd our eyes met. It was but for an instant. but in that instant I saw that she recognized me and mutely challenged my verdict.
 The theatre rang with tumultuous paudits us her song ended. 1 could feel Toms grasp on my elbow, but I could neither echo the applause nor answer him. It was all so wildly grotesquely improbable.
 This then was my love, this the Claire whom I had wooed and won in the shy covert of Pangbourne Woods, this deifed and transns- ured being before whom thousands were hushed ill awe. Those were tho lips that had faltered in sweet confession, those before which the breath of thousands came and went in agitated wonder. It was incredible.
 And then as Toms hand was laid upon my arm it flashed upon mo that the woman he loved was my plighted bride, and he knew nothing of it. AS this broke upon me there swept over me an awful dread lest he should see my face and guess the truth. How could tell him? Poor Tom! Poor Tom!
 l turned my eyes upon Claire again. Yes, she was superb: beyond all challenge glorious. And all the more felt as one who has betrayed his friend and is angry with fate for scaling such betrayal beyond revoke.
 Whether Claire misinterpreted my look of utter Stupefaction or not, l do not know: tried to smile and applaud, but neither eyes nor hand would obey my will and so even Claires acting became reproach and an ap- peal to me, pleading forgiveness to which my soul cried assent though my voice denied it. Minute after minute l sat beneath an agoniZ- ing spell I could not hope to break.
 
 Congratulate me, Jasper. What do you think of herr"
 It was Toms voice beside me, Congratulate him! felt the meanest among men.
 "She is-glorious," I stammered.
 II knew you would say so. Unbeliever, did ever man see such eyes? Confess now, what are Claire's beside them?"
 "Claires-are-mucht the same"
 Why, man, Claire's were deep gray day or two ago. and Clarissas are the brownest of brown; but of course you cannot see from here"
 Alas knew too surely the color of Claire's eyes, so like brown in the blaze of the foot-hghts. And her height; Tom had only seen her walk in tragic buskin. How fatally easy had the mistake been.
 ''Tom, your success is certain now."
 ''Yes, thanks to her. They were going to damn the play before she entered I could see it. Did you see Jasper? She looked this way for a moment. Do you think she meant to encourage me? By the way have you caught sight of Claire yet?'
 Oh, Tom, Tom, let me spare you for this night! My heart throbbed and something in my throat seemed choking me as I mutttered, "Yes."
 'Then do not stay congratulatng me, but fly. Success spells the lover. An, Jasper if only Clarissa had summoned me! Hasten I will keep my eye upon you and smile approval on your taste. Where is she?'
 Again something seemed to catch me by the throat; was struggling to answer when heard a voice behind me say, ''For you, sir, , and note was thrust into my hand, With beating heart opened it, expecting to see Claire's handwriting. But the note was not from her. It was seribbled hastily with pen- cil in bold hand, and ran thus:
 "An old friend wishes to see you Come if you have time. Box No. 7.'
 At first thought the message must have TO BE CONTINUED sB This charming story, "THE GREAT RUBY OF CEYLoN" was commenced in the issue of Saturday, August s5. The back numbers can be had at the office. Two cents per copy; 42 cents per month deliv cred to your house.