The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-25
parina 70 sing again. The lights were

Jovel she reminds Inc Of some one. Who
is she, anyhow
1.-The programme calls Lcr Gcnevievc
Royal" replied Chesley; "she's really
Louise Evan. ! knew her IN London"
"To I've sure. You know everybody.
How old is shcy'
"About 30. She's charming woman
of the stage"
'T've no doubt. She looks II jus; now.
IL she marriedi'
"No. 1'here<used TO bc rumor that
she was somebody or others wife. but
fancy IL was only rumor."
| 81 should like 10 meet her."
"Nothing easier Come with me after
the play. I'm to meet her at her rooms.
"But that is hardly"--
| "Oh, she's perfectly unconventional
And she knows so few people in New
York. you know, that she'll be glad TO see
| you. You'n remember the interview all
the rest Of your life"
How strangei He spoke the truth.
| shall never forget the few minutes of our
| first and last meeting.
| "GeDevieye Royal" The name is not
forgotten yet Everybody about town re-
| members her triumph OF lone night only"
| In that burlesque few months ago. Her
pictures are still in some OF the shop win
| dOws-pictures OF the charming courier,
with smile on her face, her arms OK
tended in the attitude of the dance, her
lips half opened and her head thrown
aside in naughty abandon.
Chesley was right. She pardoneh his
liberty in introducing n stranger. when,
two hours later she welcomed us into her
coy sitting room in m uptown hotel A
fire burned in the crate. The gaslights
shone softly, their radiance subdued by
soft hued shades. Heavy curtains fell
before the window. There was an invit
ing mir OF quietude and reposo about the
place. She wore n wrapper of soft, cling
ing stuff. She smiled as she greeted us,
and held out her hand. 1t lay in mine
for an instant-soft and warm
ayes, now ] may relax" she said, IN
reply TO remark Of Ch@ley's. Then To
me: "This hour after the play at night is
the only one out Of the twenty-four that
my conscience allows me TO call my own,
you know"
"Then a professional breaker Of hearts
really has conscience now and then?'
Chesley ventured.
She laughed softly. She had thrown
heavy cloak careiessly over a chair, and
sat leaning languidly bacl, against IL.
Then noticed how dark her eyes were,
for the first time.
"Woll, perhaps not, she replied. my
heath, then, limits me TO this little hour.
| have an astonishing antiplthy TO dying,
you know"
Curious coincidence SO have ~
Chesley said Don't talk OF dying. It's
D gloomy subject"
"Ycsl Suppose we wash away all
knowledge Of it in a glass Of winep'
She rose and passed into the next room.
She returned carrying n tray on which
were glasses and a bottle.
"AllOw me, " begged, rising.
''No; let me show how gracefully can
do the honors, she said, lightly.
She filed a glass and gave it 10 re, |
smile on her lips. When she had poured |
out wine for Chesley and herself, she |
stood still in the center OF the room, hold |
ing her glass aloft
1.-THE light is rather dim, don't you
think? viii you turn up the gas1"
Chesley endeavored 10 obey. Instead |
of turning up the gas, he turned it down,
by accident
The curtains at the window were drawn |
partly aside. and moonlight streamed in
IL touched the wornan's face -withiis-yel-
low glow. -
'Great heavenslp
1t was who>spoke in loud whisper,
Offering the exclamation before knew
what I Gds doing.
The silence Of surprise that followed
was broken 10y Chesley.
"W hat is the matter"
The woman looked az me with an ex-
preston Of dazed inquiry.
"Waitr' | cried, rny eyes fixed on hers
STAND there again-Gs You did before,
perfectly stll-let the light fall on your
faoe-the noonligh., I mean--sn Tha4's
IL. have seen your face beforer'
"What 90 you meanr'
There was less Of surprise than Of vague
alarm in her tone.
'Iis;en,' ! went on, as If under the
control Of a viii other than ny own. 81
will tell you. Chesley, I swear am
right. have seen You, Geneyieyc Royal,
Or whoever you are, and this is where and
when. In Iaris''-
She trembled. The wineglass was still
IN her hand
tin n lonely street while rain was
"Well, well?'
"Under a gaslight''--
"Under a gaslight, " she repeated, me
"On the night before the second Of Feb
'uary, 1881. And the"-
The Shrek that followed drowned my
voice. It rings in my ears now. The
woman staggered back, mouoning me
lWay.
"And the Inanr' cried; "the man
Who was lying there silent on the ground
FELL me, what of the manT'
She fell back to the window she
eaned there painting. Moonlight bathed
Ter beautiful face, white and aSonized.
n gasps she spoke.
"Hhe man! lie deserted me, and | WAS
lriven mad. killed him-and you
lave hunted me down. That is alp
She raised the wineglnss to her lips and
trained IL to the last drop. The glass fen
rom her hand. She tried TO smile,
Uttered a sigh Of WEAKNESS, became faint,
eised her hand 10 her heart, hummed
ew notes Of her song in the burlesque.
nd sank 10 the floor catching II the
urtoins for SuDnOrt