The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-09-13

in Fate and feel sure that his daugh-
ter is sure to have talent. If she
proves as satisfactory as imagine,
would gladly pay her well, for am
my own manager at present.
Amy turned pale. Neither my
husband nor ever intended Sybil for
the stage, Miss Desanges. am not an
actress, but / know quite enough of
the life behind the scenes TO wish to
keep my little girl away from the foot
lights. If you cam spare few min
utes ! will go to my husband, but l
am almost sure that his opinion will
coincide with my own strong feeling
in the matter. hope he will be able
to come in and see you himself"
While they sat waiting the young
author, who had thin, marked fea-
lures and melancholy eyes, took up
framed photograph from the table.
Viola Oesanges leant over his chair
and looked at it intently, with soft
expression stealing over her beautiful,
weary face 1T is like dream to me
to think that my play will 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 strange
way of speaking his thoughts aloud
that fascinated her by it's simplicity.
She felt that he at least believed her to
be good woman, and his faith in
her was more precious than the in
cense poured at her feet by host of
adolers, 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 to man
whom she had learned to despise, if
he who had inspired this strong pas
zion pleaded he would not plead in
vain. All these thoughts fitted through
her brain as she sat there. Simple
and poor, as were all her surround
ings, she knew intuitively that she
was in a 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 gratified by the
visit of the great actress. IF you will
give me my crutches l 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-
seriousness 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
we'll afford TO be generous, but the
terms she offered were far higher than
she had at first intended.
Perhaps Mrs. Hesseltine, you
would kindly bring her down to me at
the theatre tomorrow, at about ~
o'clock, just to try her. l am not
afraid. Good-by, Mr.. Hesseltine;
get well and we must see if we cannot
find you place in our company.
They say Mr.. Vaufeld 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. Sybil was quite ia
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
papa when he was well, and forgot
him when he was i'll and suffering.
She adored her father, and when she
once grasped the idea that If she were
good girl and did what she was told
she would have money enough to buy
him all sorts of nice things, she con-
scented 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 Desanges was
more than satisfied
1t gave Amy Hesseltine a 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-prayers 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
huence was exercised by the new child
member of the company. Men and
women alike felt better for her inno-
cent presence; the very scene shifters
loved her, and Viola Desanges, who
had never known the magic touch of
baby fingers, acted the scene with Sy-
bill as she had never acted before.
1t was pathetic enough in all truth.
A beautiful. imaginative woman, with
silent reserved husband she fancies
Indifferent, has in weak moment