The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-03-06
FOR LOVE OF AN ACTRESS.
BY w. c. FULTON.

Ellis manner"
HE gave none, sir; said you knew
him WE'LL
''Show him in
l threw aside the evening paper as
babe the Office boy show the gentleman
into our private apartment, with scarce
thought as towho this stranger might
be. The 0peningof the door announced
his entrance, when beheld medium
sized man with dark hair and eyes,
heavy nloustacfe and ciosely-cut whis-
kers, and clear though somewhat pal
lid complexion.
"Mr. Weldon, believer"
THAT is my NAME" responded, as
much in the dark as to his identity as
ever.
why, Bob, don't you know me?'' he
asked, observing my puzzled express
sion.
'sNed Pierce, as I'm aliveI" and
grabbed his outstretched hand with q
vigor that made him vince.
why, Ned, what under the heavens
ever brought you to Paris? The very
last person in the world would have
dreamed Of seeing.,'
'sThe channel steamer brought me to
France, and i naturally drifted to the
metropolis through the medium OF the
steam cars. But how long have you
been in this cityf"
ssFive years last December"
And then he told me how 1t was by
the merest chance that he found me.
Having some financial matters to at
tend to. he had inquired at the hotel
for an American banking house, and
had been given. among several others,
the names of Howe RalstOn and Wei,
don. Inquiry disclosed the fact that it
was none other than his old friend
Weldon of former years, and hence his
seeking me ont. Of course nothing
would do but that he must accompany
me home, and. as 1t was then nearly
dinner-time, we started at once.
Ned" | explained, but my bachelor
apartments are at least comfortable,
and we can talk over old times and have
aqliet smoka.n'
Mot married yet. Weldon?"
mo. and no prospect Of It."
That's singular. 1 supposed, of
course, you were married and settled
down long ago.
why of coiirse?'
20, don't know No especial reas-
on, only it was one Of my air-casties to
6pd yon Benedict with an interesting
family"
Not any for me, thank you'll That
Is where your building was at fault.
The sudden turn gave to the con-
versation seemed to discomfort him for
moment, and he answered, with lit
tie bitter, ironical laugh:
elor.''
Ned had always been such Jolly COM
panionl Ever ready for a good time,
and neither better nor worse than q
great many young men. He had his
faults, as who has not? And as for his
good traits OF character, they appear
sometimes 80 Unexpectedly as to seem
all the better for the contrast. We
were quite good friends years ago, and
1came as near making q confidant OF
him as / ever did Of any one. was
never very much given toover-intimate
young men, and the majority OF young
ladies'. On the contrary, while enjoy
ing the society OF others, was always
Of very reticent turn, rarely telling
any of my companions anything of my
personal affairs. What good would
ever come of itp IL one has difficulties
lying In his path. they are none the
more easily overcome by pouring out
one's trials into the willing ear OF q
II one has bit of good fortune, how
really care to hear it.
And twas six years since had last
seen Nedl Heigh-ho! How time does
nv! It's no wonder didn't recognize
him. Six years ago babe Ned Pierce
goodbye on the deck of an outgoing
Cunarder. Left an orphan with large
estate, he was naturally inclined to
take life easy. and when / said fare
well he was starting on his first trip
an~ceo ha xuotar xrtbtlo fttrpad haoly ",
my business In the crowded streets of
the great city. During these six years
had lost all track of him. and indeed,
had not thought Of him for some time.
had been quite prosperous In my I'M
dertakings. and was now manager of
the Paris branch Of our banking house,
with q moderate fortune laid by for the
traditional rainy day."
AS we arrived at our destination, Ned
expressed o decided approval of my
apartments, with repeated words OF adj
miration. yes acquieseed, sit Is
very comfortable here"
Have you any engagement for this
evening"" he asked as we arose from
the dinner-table.
Nothing imperative"
"Then come with me-"
"Where?n
"To the opera"
nsu 10 Vplecuous, anu nv once
agIeeu 70 y, althougn cared enough 70
inquire "nae was 70 DO sung tnat even
"Yon asked me on our way home
s wnas nag peen do,ng WITH myself Ior
VIZ last elx years, ne saiu. come
VIII me to-nlght, ana ai.er the opera
Will tell you my story"
.Wewent. found that he had box
already eogaTed. and the usher led the
way 10 u. at INC right hand OF the stage,
wnen ne retired as silently as he
care. .;.s 80. ~.
~ was tiie familiar 0persa OF ia Ira
viata, sung py moderately TAR COM
pnny, ana had peen alone l probably
sn9uiu nave notieed notnlng particp-
larry STRIKING ABOUT any o. tne singers;
AS y was. no sooner nau vioietta"
tracted by the strange behavior Of my
companiQn.