The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-04

feet.
THAT is well; you may CO.
The scene was charming boudOir, fur
nished with elegance and taste, unmarried
by profusion. The speaker was Ellen
Wardour, the queen, at that period, of the
stage Talented as well as beautiful, she
was the rage of the town. Managers bent
before her; her path seemed that of roses.
Nevertheless, as she now recllned in a fau-
teuil opposite her mirror her features were
Swallowed by thought which seemed like
sorrow.
On her French maid retiring her medita-
tions found words.
Again to-day. Again every day." she
muTmured. HE never misses. When
enter the stage his is the first face | see
When l pass TO my brougham, on quitting
specially apart. yet paying that pure
homage with his eyes that few women could
resist. Who can he be? His dress, his
bearing proclaim him a gentleman. His
features display intellect and refinement; it
is a cOuntenance that beholding once, one
turns to see again"
She paused, her chin resting on her hand
Then his glances betray loye-in that l
cannot be deceived. Then why does he
never approach? Why does he not speak
Speak-and if so, would it be in vain ?"
Again she paused. Then, with an irritable
movement, rising more erect, she exclaimed :
"YeS-a thousand times yes-for have not
vowed TO wed my profession alone? Or
and she gave forced laugh-"my I'M
known dramatist-my ideal of a genius
that one day will make England echo with
his name. Young am sure he is by his
letter. A genius l know he is by these
llnes-they are magnificent. l feel each
syllable as l Tead-what a part l could
make Of it-nRy, will make of it. ! mu st
write and bid this SignOr IncOgnito call
upon me-"
She had taken up roll of manuscript
from the table as she spoke, and now began
turning over the folios. Abruptly, how
ever, casting ii down, she arose, eXclaimng
mo; l cannot even read that to-day.
This Other-my unknown admirer-haunts
ME. l wonder if he is at his post, as
usual"
Approaching the window, she looked
through the lace curtains to the opposite
side of the street.
no" she murmured"; for once he Is
absent. l hope-her color changing-he is
Eot i'll"
She moved hurriedly back to her fauteuil,
for STephanie, knocking, entered
Mademoiselle, lady desires to see you"
Her name, Stephanie"
"She says it does not signify, as you are
- unacquainted."
singular, but then let her enter; want
something TO distract me-,
a moment and the maid ushered in the
visitor. She was richly dressed and thickly
yelled, but her bearing showed her to be q
stately, almost imperious lady of over so.
You are the actress Helen Wardour,"
she remarked hanghtily as she advanced.
The reply was as haughtily given:
am, madam; to what cause may l attribute
this IntguSi0n?"
"a mothers natural desire to save her
son from the scheming wiles of q stage
player" was the rejoinder.
The color mounted to Helen Wardour's
brow. Her beautiful eyes kindled with
proud Indignation. Recollect, madam"
she said, you are under the 'stage-player's
roof, hence civility is at least due to its
. m 1lr | I'm n "a 5rfT pf
him; what is more, do not desire. If he
has offended yOe, take him home and teach
him obedience"
Not know him, that is we'll truly"
broke in the lady with contemptuOus
laugh. Then, apparently, an actress
word Is rs false as her complexion. Not
know him when he dogs your every step
like your shadow. When each night he
sits IN the stalls to ogle you. When he
stands fool-an idiot, gazing at your
window. Not know him, indeed"
A sudden change swept over the actress
features Starting violently, she pressed
her hand to her heart. In her insulted
" pride she h ad turned partly from her visi-
tor; now, confronting her, she exclaimed,
as the words were forced from her lips
"H9w-iS he-that One-7your son?"
+" He is-ali, madam, thought you did
not know him?"
mot that he and your son were the
same"
knowing it now, Miss Wardour," said
the lady, will you restore him to reason
and to me?"
the reply. ut is not"
1t IS not? What absurdity is this? Do
you imagine l believe such an assertion ?"
DO so, or not, madam, according to
your pleasure. l repeat, l am unable to
serve you. That your son acts as you say
is true; but he goes no farther. He never
approached me; he has never addressed
me- 10 me he is perfect stranger. Be-
Ing so, madam, l request this interview to
end"
at shall not end, Helen Wardouri Ii
he has not addressed you yet, do you fancy
he VIII not? and l, his mother, am here to
save himv'
She flung up her thick veil in her passion,
and for the first time it may be said the
women really stood face to face. Mutual
recognition was instantaneous.
Jane GoodeveW calculated the visitor,
In amaze.
LADY TamarW exclaimed the actress.
WHAT" proceeded the elder, austerely,
"you recognize me after these long years ?''
Recognized cannot ever forget" was
the now gentle reioinder. when my poor
mother died, leaving me an orphan, was it
not you who took me, cared for me, edu-
: Gated me, reared me?"
- "a Kindness you repaid by running from
my home at the age Of IA to join a company
of vagabond strolling players" interrupted
Lady lamar. Indignantly.
Pardon; / could not help. Your anger
ut the passion l betrayed for the stage
drove me to it. l felt the vocation within
me, and so loved il that l renounced even
gratitude"
"And have become" sneered the other.
Gan actress" interrupted Helen War
dour, with queenly dignity, whom the
world not only applauds, Lady lamar,
but-respects. The lessons OF virtue you
inculcated in the orphan have not been for
gotten by the tragedienne."
The visitor turned with scoffing laugh
toward the speaker, but the derision died
on her lips. She was, despite herself,
struck by the woman she despised. Never
theless, she said:
% An actress, who, not content with out
raging the feelings Of her who fostered her
In her helplessness, has now sought to
wound her TO the heart in the ruin-mark
me, Jane Goodeve-the ruin of her son~
our son exclaimed the acress, start
Ing and speaking more as to herself, an ex-
preston almost of suffering coming over
her features. j." ALL l had forgotten"
"ForgottenP calculated Lady lamar,
with shrug.
Yes7forgotten," repeated the other,
earnestly and rapidly. Listen, Lady
lamar, your kindness has ever been q
sweet memory to me-my ingratitude a
parent inRratitude; for l am not migrate
2 full Your son loves me, though we have
never exchanged word. know it; but
VIII save him from ruin. That is, she
added, with almost imperceptIble scorn,
the affection OF an actress"
You will Jane Goodeve, do you promise
me ths?" cried Lady lamar, catching the
others hand; then dropping it, she turned
away. :" No; l cannot believe YOU"
Look in my face, and surely you wi
net insult me by SO unjust doubt. Re-
. member. you loved my mother. and am
her child. Retire into my dressing-room-
. twill see your son, and he shall love me nc
more"
"See bim Grant him an intervieusv'
cried Lady Tamar. 1T is lnadnGss' :. E.