The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-12-04

Viola Desanges leant over his chair
and looked at il intently, with soft
expression stealing over her beautiful.
weary face IL is like a dream TO me
to think that my play win soon be
brought out with you as its heroine,
said Horace Melton, after a pause
Like all poets, have my queer fam
cIes, and cannot help thinking that
such child as this must bring good
fortune with her, She is like one Of the
visions of the old masters of the angels
watching round the Holy Child.
Miss Desanges sighed. There was
something odd and unworldly about
this young man. He had a arrange
way OF speaking his thoughts aloud
that fascinated her BY its simplicity.
She felt that he at least believed her to
be q good woman, and his faith IN
her was more precious than the I'M
cense poured at hor feet by host Of
adorers. to all of whom she was equal
ly cold. But deep IN her heart there
was one overmastering love burning
like fierce flame, and she felt that,
bound in honor as she was tosa man
whom SHE had learned to despise, IL
he who had inspired this strong pas
sion pleaded hewnuld not plead in
vain. All these though:s = fitted through
her brain as she sat there. Simple
and poor. MS were all her surround
ings, she knew intuitiyely that she
was in happy home, contrasting
Amy Hesseltine's lot curiously with
her own splendid misery.
Meanwhile. in the next room, Amy
was hurriedly explaining to her hus-
band what had happened. AT first
his negative was as emphatic as her
own, but she could see that his father
ly pride was much eratihed by the
visit of the great actress. IF you will
give me my crutches will go in and
see Miss Desanges myself, and in
spite OF his crutches Jack looked so
handsome when he made his appear
ance that he inspired both visitors
with very sincere pity. Miss Desanges
plunged into business at once, exer-
cising all her powers of persuasion,
until at last the parents yielded.
1t was not any love of art that made
them consent, poor things Even
Jack had no wish TO see Sybil on the
stage, but there was the haunting con-
sciousness of debts that were too hon.
est not to desire to pay, and the fear
of still more grinding poverty in the
near future. Miss Desanges was sim
ply delighted when she had gained her
point; she was so rich that she could
well afford to be generous, but the
terms she offered were far higher than
she had at first intended
Perhaps Mrs. Hesseltfne. Won
would kindly bring her down to me at
the theatre tomorrow, at about 12
o'clock. just TO try her. am not
afraid. Good-by. Mr.. Hesseltine;
get well and we must see if we cannot
find yoe place in our company.
They say Mr.. Vaufield is to be married
TO an heiress soon, and If this is true
he will retire and leave vacancy.
You have done me real service, and
l shall not soon forget it
1t took Mrs. Hesseltine long while
to explain all this to Sybil, although,
like most only children, she was older
than her years. Sybi was quite fa;
miliar with theatres, and had often
seen her father act, but she had her
own quaint ideas upon the subject.
and sometimes talked about the cruel
people who clapped and laughed at
him when he was i'll and suffering.
She adored her father, and when ahe
once grasped the idea that If she were
good girl and did what abe was told
she would have money enough to buy
him all sorts of nice thinga, she con-
sented TO try. Her little heart almost
failed her when she was taken to the
theatre, but she was quick and clever.
and learned the few words of her part
so rapidly that Miss DesanRes was
more than satisfied.
1t gave Amy Hesseltine q thrill to
hear the clear little voice as she stood
half hidden In the wings She let her
veil fall over her face, as she silently
prayed for her darling that
she might be kept pure and spotless
and learn no evil in this strange, new
atmosphere. Neither Sybil nor her mo
ther ever guessed how strange an IN
fiuence was exercised by the new child
member of the company. Mem and
women alike felt better for her limo
cent presence; the very scene Shifters
loved her, and Viola Deeanges, who
had never known the magic touch of
baby fingers acted the socne with Sy-
bill as she had never acted before.
: 1t was pathetic enough In all truth.
a silent reserved husband abe fanciea
Indifferent, has in a weak moment
consented to leave her home with 4
rich artist. His specious arguments
convince her, and at last at ball al
her own house she gives her promise.
She goes upstairs to put on q cloak
and then cannot resist going to the
room where her child is lying asleep.
All is dark save for the lamp held In
the hand of the mother, who neels
by the cot weeping paasionately and
half regretting her rash impulse The
child sleeps calmly, as she pours out a
pitiful prayer for forgiveness. but
wakes when the hot tears fall upon
her checks.
Why are you crying 30, darling
mammal And are you going away
that you have your cloak onf"
Hush, baby, it is still night, but ]
have got TO go away on q long jour
ney.
Nothing prettier than Syb1 was
surely yer seen on any stage when
she sat up in her crib with her golden
cprls all r1fhed,
Mamma, darling mamma, don't 90
away and leave papa and me. Oil
take us with you; We cannot be left
alone, we love You so dearly
As she said this she elung round the
neck of the mother who was going to
forsake her, and the victory was won.
The curtain fell as Viola Desanges
threw off her heavy travelling cloak,
and sat down holding the tiny hand
in her own.
$50 to sleep, my baby; I wiz stay
and take care OF you Away"
Then the husband, who has been
y