The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-13

. NbNt NNNf llldNs MISS I@iilt III,
Mr. Cyril Brownrigg. Now must leave
you and sing my little song. Au revoir. "
And Miss Gould hoated away, and /
became confusedly aware Of pair Of
very grave blue eyes fixed inquiringly
and somewhat coldly on my face.
II beg your pardon be said, "but
your brothcr--l conclude he is your
br0ther-is a great and dear friend of
minc. Is he here tonight
Il have no brother, ! murmured, and
continued hurnedly: 81 am Earle Oak
hurst al least my real name Is Amy
Earle Smith. ! wrote Moses and
Mdgos, and / added, desperately see
ing how pale and hardS lis face was grow
ing as the FIRST look of surprise changed
10 one Of cold displeasurc, Il am so
rorry. Forgive me; / only did il az first
for n Joke. and afterward | feared 49,
You fearedr no inquired, quietly, az
paused.
yes, I said, feeling my cheeks burn
and my ewes fll with tears, Il never had
a friend ike YOU before, and / feared TO
lose your friendship
And did you really imagine that TO
deceive and make me ridiculous was the
best means of keeping my friendship
Yes mo- don't know. | did not
think much about it until saw the dedi-
cation. and then felt too ashamed and
unhappy 10 confess What can / dOi !
am so sorry"
"You can do nothing. VIII you allow
me 10 take you back 10 your cousin,
who. believe, has been inquiring for
yOuy he asked, with a sudden change 10
icy conventional tones.
i rose without a word, but as we en-
tered the room / whispered:
Can YOU forgive mef'
mo. / cannot" he answered, and
with q bow left me, and / saw him, after
a few words with our hostess, leave the
room. and was told afterward he had
pleaded urgent business as an excuse for
leaving early
After that miserable evening, though
I frequently saw Cyril Brownrigg at
musical or literary gatherings, he never
spoke a word 10 me beyond what mere
politeness rendered necessary; and yet |
always felt a strange new JOY in his
presence IL was a pleasure 10 me TO
hear how popular he was becoming, and
% watch his grave eyes light up and his
whole face CLEAN when he talked about
anything that interested him.
One night o large party of us were
dining together, Miss Gould, Cyril
BrOwnrigg, my cousin and myself being
among the number After dinner we
were all going to the theatre 10 hear
celebrated French actress in one Of her
most powerful representations. By
chance Cyril Browning was my neigh
Dor at the meal, but as usual, beyond
the necessary polite formalities. did not
speak. nor did /, of course, though |
was longing TO break down this icy wall
that separated me from the man had
grown to love so deeply. Presently the
lady sitting on the other side Of him
said:
II suppose ] may congratulate YOU
Mr. Browning, and do, very heartily
really think YOU have been as success
ful as YOU could wish. and every one Is
saying how entirely you deserve your
good fortune
Thank YOU" ne answered, quietly,
with. fancied, q half glance at me, Il
do consider myself very fortunate, and
hope 90 be even more so before long.
"Ah.' she said with little laugh, 1--WE
shall even have 20 congratulate you on
your marriage, i supposef'
i could not catch his answer, as Just
then our hostess rose, and had 10 fol
low; but as We went upstairs girl l
knew said.
81 suppose Miss Gould is 10 be con- I
GRADUATED. Have you heard of her en-
gagement: A case of love at first sight,
L hear BY the bv, when Will Mr..
Browuricgs new book appear? Is it
also 20 10 dedicated 10 his brother and .
ficndy
Tie old Joke had not died out even yet, /
and now came as a keener shame and /
pain than ever. | made no reply, and .
though l heard afterwHd that Nine. .
Sophie Lenoir surpassed herself, every .
thing that night seemed a blank 20 me .
at the theatre. Voices and faces mixed .
themselves up together in torturing con-
fusion, and the brilliant light seemed .
only 10 show me more clearly the utter
blaclness Of my heart and life. Ny .
cousin, perhaps, guessed something Of .
nv misery for she said;
Don't talk TO Amy; let her dream.
40 doubt she is composing sonnets on
the actress or the playW
$50 they laughed and left me alone
Suddenly my apathy was broken by
CRY of Fire" repeated in louder tones
again and again. and people sprang
from their seats, as thin streaks of smoke
were seen curling round behind the stage.
In vain the manager came forward and
tried 70 speak; in vain Nine. LenOir, who
was dying in agonized cOntortioDs, rose,
and spoke in rapid French, assuring the
audience there was no danger; the people
grew deaf and blind everything but the
increasing roar. and the smoke and flame,
which were now pouring into the theatre
itself The curtain fell, but only for a
moment served TO doaden the advancing
FIRE
The confusion was terrible. Women
shrieked and sobbcd, men swore, and
when every now and again a flickcriDg
flame blazed higher than before, II
showed q sickening scene Of struggle and
despair
l Selt so miserable that I had never
thoughs Of leaving my seat, but sat star
ing stupidity, as IF the frightful scene
was no concern Of min, when | was
aroused TO tingling life again by CyrlIs
voice close 70 my ear;
"Takemv arm" he said, in low hurried
tones. "and for heavens sake hold fast"
clasped IL with both my hands, but
without q word. He forgave me then;
he cared for me; he wished 70 save me;
and the iov Of this thought took away
an fear. At the same moment the cur
aims in one Of the boxes near blaZed up
for a few seconds, and by the light | saw
ny cousins agonized face, as she stug-
lied to keep on her feet, and was
pressed back by the surging, maddened
mass from the pit; she saw US, too, and
reached her hand out TO us.
amy! Mr. Brownfiggp she cried;
'hclp mel do not leave me-"
Hf TUNED TO me.
IT 4 impossible TO save you both, he
iaid. hoaTsely. Good God! what can
dof"
i saw what he could do, and said
.Press forward think only Of getting
put OF this horrible place
Then the light died away again, and
with a slnothered sob Of intense thank
'ulness / slid my hands from his arm,
md. taking my cousins, gently slipped
hem into the same place and pushed her
Onward saying;