The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-11


had tired of her, or whether she were dead.
she did not know. Perhaps her fame had
proved a lure. She knew that she was
handsomer than ever-she would have read
that in his eyes if nowhere else-and often
she trembIed lest her resolution should
Civ e way. 1t was so hard to resist those
tglanceS, the passionate sorrow of his gaze.
But still she said, acknowledgements
Texas and the poor girl, Tilted and broken
hearted remember that he who is false
once is false forever"
The new play had a long run. The child
who was nightly clasped in Lola's arms.
who was stolen by her enemy, and restored
at last, barefooted and in rags to reappear
in the last scene dressed like a young
princess, proved herself natural actress.
Lola grew fond of her; the child adored
Lola. The great actress lavished gifts upon
the little ONE, and would lhave adopted her
if the poor mother had assented.
The manager wondered at a woman 5
fancies as he often had before.
@She adores that skinny little girl" he
said to himself, "and turns her back on
splendid fellow like the Texan, who wor-
ships her, and the fun of it is there is no
other man at the bottom of it-that of
course, one understands. All WELL "a wom-
ans beauty is heeting, and so is money IN
the hands OF an actress. Lola Marina will
be sorry for this some day"
Nome of them knew, none of them dreamed
one guessed what lent passion to her voice
and made her eyes glow with preternatural
buster at times
Lola had learned that a woman's passion
ate love is far more difficult to overcome
than a girls sweet fanciGS and in the
struggle she often grew weak and faint.
She had determined to end it as soon as
possible, and the opportunity came at last.
She had come to rehearsal, called be-
cause of "a change in one of the roles. and,
being early, sat alone reading q magazine
she had brought with her.
Suddenly d shadow fell upon the page.
She looked up. Lionel Delura stood beside
her, his gaze fixed upon her face. She lift
ed her eyebrows gave him glance of Of
Tended astonishment, and resumed her
book.
Butthis time he did not turn away as he
usually did when she awarded him such
tokens of displeasure. He quietly drew a
chair near hers, and bending forward said:
"NIiss Marina, / have been endeavOring
for a long time ito get an opportunity OF
speaking with you. You have not permit
ted me to do so. Now have taken it with
out leave. have something very impor-
tant to say"
sThere is no time for it, Mr. Delura,' Lola
answered haughtily. II am busy: my time
is not my own | belong to my manager"
"That is, certainly true, Lionel answered,
"but will younot,appoint an hour at which
TO f0C01N6 IIl0 dU your HOO01E L nave du
PLANTATION to 'Offer which may alter the
opinion which you have formed of me, and
which [ aware .isunfavorable."
II doubt it, Mr.. Delura," Lola replied. II
do not form my opinions lightly, and when
formed they are lasting"
Gin this case" he persisted, Il am sure
you will permit yourself to change your
mind.n
She smiled and shook her head.
8 I assure you that what | have to
say he began.
is something's she interrupted, (which
/ do not wish to hear, Mr.. Delura."
Suddenly fire flashed in the Texans eyes.
''What folly this is Lola!n he said. THAT
we, who ten years ago parted with kisses,
or sat claSped in each others arms for
hours. should speak in formal words and
pretend to forget the past is utterly abb
surd. You loved me down there in Texas
when you were seventeen and l twenty
five. If / have suffered, / tell you, woman
you have suffered, too. For years per-
mitted pride to spoil my life-for months
after I understood what folly had COM
mitted / searched for you; [ found you.
Lola, you use me very badly; but when you
have listened to me all that will be changed
The thing l have to say will have weight
with you.n
The call-boy's voice was heard. Lola
arose.
Il am summoned. I must go, Mr.. De-
lura," she said.
"But you will accord me an interviews"
he pleaded.
~No.n she answered
"Lola, my darling, | will have it!n he an
swered. II wilt Do you hear? [ must do
justice to myself and you must"
@NIust again. Lola cried, all the more
hotly because she longed to throw herself
into his arms and forgive him all the past.
Nerved by the knowledge of her own weak
ness Lola gave Delura glance into which
she threw all the scorn which her art
placed at her command and passed him
swiftly.
"Mr Morgan" she said to the manager,
who was regarding the interview with
much interest though from a discreet dis
tance-"Mr. Morgan, Il demand your pro-
lection"
"Dear me, Miss Marina" that gentleman
replied, 81 had no idea you needed it,"
"Mr. Delura has offended me-. He is in
sulting. his presence here annoys me. All
the ladies and gentlemenm must know that
am prosecuted every day by attentions to
which I am utterly averse. Yet you en-
courage this man to come here.n
"He is my friend, madame-mv friend,
and a perfect 4gentleman,n said the mana
ger. mTiinVited him behind the scenes. 1
am proud of his interest in my theater.
Ladies are not usually averse to such
amiable courtesy as MIR. Delura shows you.n
"YOu may think what you please, Mr..
Morgan said the star. IL am not at all
disturbed by your opinion of me. But you
will either tell Mr.. Delura to absent him.
self in futuGe or will cancel my engage
ment. Il ;am i'm serious earnest, and you
will kindly remember that / am That
man must not come hene again.
"ChoOse!n said Lola, haughtily.
81 hope you do not blame me for this,
Delura?n said the manager.
"My presence shall cease to annoy Miss
Marina,n replied the Texan. 81 regDet that
it has done So" lie turned away.
Delura smiled and bowed. He was gone,
Morgan with Hmm. What would not the
latter have given to be able to say to this
overbearimg star of his, EEYou may go to-
morrow if you like" But it would have
been his r1im-
AS for Miss Marina she sailed haughtily
away, and She WAS barely behind the scenes
when she was obliged to catch a shift for
support, and sinking into a convenient
chair groaned out her misery The struggle
had been too much for her. Her maid
found her just as she was recovering.
Lola declared that she had been asleep,
and glass of wine restored her sufficiently
to reach home. She would mot weep-she
dared not. She could not appear before her
public with swollen eyes. But the thought
that she had driven Lionel from bier forever
was torture. She went to the theater that
night in a very miserable mood. The