Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-06-29

the binding Iights reel round. nc ieans
back In his corner OF the upper box. and
shades his face with his hand to shut out
the glare and the sight OF her.
But no cannot shut out her voice-htgher
and clearer than he had known 1t, but still
the same. It rings through the house. car
rying Pauline's light words and mocking
laugh to the end OF the scene in triumph.
She has storm Of applause at its close.
She steps from the wing and courtestes her
acknowie dyments. sweetly and smilingly.
obeying that call" whose every note falls
on Pages ears like II burning insult to her
womanhood and to his love.
And this Is the secret-this Is the mystery
Of Miss Berkeley's ltfel She is an actross--
the woman whom he worshtps Is only q
thousand other mems chcaplY bought ideal.
Tor Tho s;-n Cor whose pv1llty he. 1Eke The
rest. has paid his Tee to night.
He leaves the box and PAGES the lobby to
and fro. half determined to leave the house
before the curtain shall rise again. and
still unable to tear himself away.
He hears the calling comments OF tho
men around him upon her face. her figure.
her voice: hears her talent criticised. her
success gagged. her name tossed from
mouth to mouth. until his blood bollS with
impotent wrath and misery.
The curtain rises once more. Tho piece
drags on. and the actors mouth their parts.
Alice Vanc sweeps out among them again.
ana he stan IL TlNetel 10 tUe spot
in the sound an sight Of her as madly as
ever before.
She is beautiful but her face has wild.
worn look in it tonight. Her eyes glance
restlessly. and little nervous trick Of the
hands that he remembers betrays her.
Through all the business" OF her part no
gees her scan the circls OF the house con-
tinually. and tho color comes and goes
through the film OF stage powder as her
eyes fash round.
Has she seen him? Something makes
Carroll step forward into the front Of the
box again and lean over. looking steadily
down at her. There must be magnetism in
his eyes. for her voice falters little
her hands twist together oncc more
rcstlesssly. and she grows nervous. un-
certain. She stops short. and casts Wild
implorinR look about the stage. as II seek
ing and questioning-what?
one quick glance upward and she knows
She meets her lovers eyes in flash OF
swift recognition. Pauline drops out OF be-
ing and is gone. and Alice Berkeley. with
a faint. bitter cry OF exceeding love and
shams. falls fainting behind the footlights'
4 feel quite well to-day. mother. am
so glad everything is settled. Poor mother
you have had so much trouble with all this
but we shall have long. long rest now
sha'n't We. dearf-
Alice stretches out n hand from the sofa
where sho lies. and clasps her mothers
The Little hand has grown thin. and her
face is pale; the fires OF fever burnt out now
have wasted it sorely FOR month past.
Il hop. shall see you rest. Alice. Thank
God for anything. almost. that takes you
away from those theaters!"
Has Alec Let thu IN. then, forever Verify
yes!
The star" rose and set upon New York
Just ono brief nj hit. Wien Pauline sank
upon the stage. tho soul OF the actress
passed out. never to rcanimato the woman
more. Where the real love had breathed
tho mimic passion could find no more ut
torrance for ever. and Alice fane's fare
well" was taken in that p.teous little cry
And then the ENGAGEMENTS were Cancelled
and all the wardrobe put away. and Miss
Berkeley and her mother made really K
withdraw from the world to quiet little
corner where they would live 30 simply ant
so plainly that there should be no mystery
anv more about the beautiful actress.
1t was all quite settled aud tho prepare
tons made, and nobody knew where they
were going. least Of all Page Carol, who
had called every day since tho illness OF
the star. and who at this very minute was
sonding up his name to Mrs. Berkeley.
Alice had never meant to see him. SHE
had put him quite away from her life. anC
told hcrscli twenty times day that tina
foolish. hopeless passion must starve t
dcath-that it was dying fast already. Eu
mother, wiser than the child. read matters
differently. When she left the room to SEE
Page Carol her mind WAS half made up
and ten minutes later. wien AEca turnet
| ner ncad usti3ssIy ar the opening or The
| door. IL vas to see the face that She dreIde
| and yearned for more than al else that thu
wide world held.
I ought to have told you before q
Holmesvlle." she Is whispering. with heI
| shamed face hidden from her eager, ask
| ing eyes; cn'y IT was 20 hard. you know.
| with sad ittls quiver in her voice. "1ol
| did no: believe thai an actress could be
| Alice. for cd $ sake, don't remind mo o
| that-thnt mis- ,rab!e bigotry Of niue. Png'
begins hotly.
She smiles, but it is piti!ul smile
enough.
But you felt so. overheard you. you
| know. Do YOU remember that day when
passed you in the wool? After heard that
| couldn't tell you. WANTED 10 keep you
resp, c.. even il 1 claimed it on such pooI
ial4s prctonsos. and never meant to SCI
| you agnin-never!
And do you suppose" ho cries. tina
| ANYTHING could have changed my love io
| you. them"
| Il don't know how-how that might hHv,
| been" Alice murmurs. but it is love tina
! habitat have-no tight to. am not IL
your sphere, Mr.. Carol. / have been three
| years an actress. and you are too proud
man to have vie with such record-i
wife who once eXhtAited- All. you wan
to sill nc, me! You might hold and kis
| mo 50 forever" eha cries. passionately. o
| no snatches her to his heart. And ever
| here l should remember those words o
yours. though you and might lie ready t.
| sell our souls to unsay thcm!"
You do love me-" says Page Carol. un
der his breath. And then he clasps he
| with a stern po9s"ssvencss. in lifts VI
! her face and looks deep into her eyes
Let your plst GO" he says. firmly an,
| clearly and let my folly go with il
| What do | care for what you have done?
| love you for what you are! must love yo1
| forever, and l will not live without you
| You are mine, Alice. AMI | take my own
| rcmcmber!" with glad, quick smile as h
| draws her hand up to his neck and
clings there. ever so shylv: "remembe
| what l once claim never yield! My RICH
| and my mi lit go together"
You don't know: | haven't told you
THAT you love mo? All you have; but
want to hear it in wo.ds, too. Say II
daIlirSi
There WAS not sound in the room. no
even whisper. hut she must have said II
hecuu @ it was only yesterday that say
tho rihbcn-knotted wedding cards 0: Pa.
Carol aud Alice Berkeley.