The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-06-23

Violet came home from the theatre one
day ere she was expected. As she stepped
lightly into the parlor, she heard sobs is
suing from behind the curtains of the al
cove, and then LIE Roy's voice, panied and
pleading.
"For Gods sake, Nela, don't-you un.
man mel cannot comfort you. must
do my duty, and that duty is to be true TO
my promise"
And you will marry Violet, and IL
will be alone" sobbed Nala. "Oh, why
must be so miserable? She would not be
your wife if she knew that your loved
me-"
Hush. Nells-she shall not know.
She is too good"
But you don't care how suffer- vio-
let has her art-halt her heart is given to
that-she would turn to that and forget,
she is cold. But i Oh, lie Roy, |
will kill myself-Pll die of despairr'
MY darling, you will break my heart p
Then the pale listener knew that the man
she loved had clasped' her sister to his
heart.
With noiseless step, and face as white
as it would be in her coffin, Violet went to
her own room
There were no cries, no tears, but with
dry, burning eyes and set lips, the actress
sat there and thought-though till her
brain reeled, and her senses seemed desert
ing her.
"'rhey love each other and | stand IN
their wayp' was the burden of her
thoughts. "And shall make their lives
miserable? Yet If marry him and send
Nella away, he will forget her in time. |
will win his heart and she will form new
ties. Oh my lovel cannot give you up"
Then she recalled Nella's words.
''She has her art, but II will die of
despair"
Not thought of blame for her sister,
only pity.
perhaps after all it was not meant that
| should turn aside from the path chose
five years ago." reflected Violet sadly.
''Shall | give him up to her, and go my
way alone-oh, HeaYen but this is bitterl"
How long she sat there she did not know.
AT last she rose, brushed her hair and
batbed her eyes.
Then she went TO the desk and wrote to
her manager, Mr.. Lacy.
"DEAR MIR. LACY.-I have rcconsidercd
your offer and will accept the title role of
CymbeliDe. Make arrangements to suit
yourself. VIOLET BENGARDE."
Then she wen: down stairs, where she
found her loyer-alas her lover no longer!
alone in the parlor.
II shall have TO make my arrangements
for departure" she said, after a while.
III am going to play Cymbeline,"
lie Roy gave her quick glance.
"Why, Violet, / do not understand.
Your engagement ends next month, does
il notP"
Her heart was ike ice, but she smiled
up in his face.
"I-I cannot give up this chance, Le-
Roy,' she murmured.
"Violet, believe you care more for your
art than for me-" he said reproachfully,
Oh, bitter mockeryi WELL ,'for the miser-
able woman that she was an adept at dissim-
ulation. She looked thoughtfully away and
then turned her blue eyes calmly upon his
face.
II find AM more attached to 1t than
| ever imagined" she said steadily. 81
cannot give it up"
He took her hand and looked at her
gravely.
"Do You realize what that meansp lie
asked, with pale lips. "My wife must not
belong to the public but to ME. And you
are willing to do this-wil you make your
choice?"
sit is made, lie Roy" she answered. 81
shall remain an actress. believe II is my
vocation"
So the fiat was given and lie Roy, happy
despite his disappointment, never knew
what sacrifice had been made; he only
thought that Nela had spoken truly wheG
she said that Violet was cold. He never
knew that such loye as Violet Benesrde's
was rare, and that he lost a priceless treas
ure when he turned from her to Nella with
the brilliant face and selfish heart.
Two months later, in distant city, Vio-
let stood behind the scenes of the theatre
where. as Cymbeline, she had scored a won
derful success, and read a telegram from
her sister:
"Our congratulations am going abroad
with my husband, We will see you next
auutmn. NELLA."
The woman uttered long.sigh, the jew
eled hand holding the crushed paper fell
heavily to her side, and so she stood like a
beautiful statue draped with silken vest
ments and hung with jewels.
A voice reused her, she started, passed
her hand over her forehead, and then the
woman was lost ~ the actress. No one
looked upon that brilliant vision that now
dawned upon them beyond the footlight;
could guess that the robes Of Cymberlins
were worn by a woman for whom love was
oyer and hope was dead. Surely, Violet
Bengarde Was true actress.