The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-05

LOLA.


or women were emerging, their faces ex-
pressing disappointment in some cases, an
ger IN others, and exchanging as they went
remarks of a petulant sort. to the effect
that some child of whom they spoke was
neither brighter nor prettier than their
own.
Within, in that mysterious locality
known as behind the scenes, one young
woman still fingered, standing before the
leading lady, who, dressed in walking cos
tune, recined ia a large velvet chair, and
a portly manager, who stood jingling his
watch chain and looking down upon the
group over his large waistcoat
The woman. whose little one had been
selected TO play child's part in the piece,
was receiving her directions as to its re-
hearsals, the hour of its arrival at night
and the hour at which it must be taken
home.
Il would stay with her if / could" the
young mother said, but | work out by
the day and have TO do all my own work
IN the evening. She will be safe, know.
You'll lot no harm come to her, miss
she's very dear to usY"
"Oh, she will be an important person
age" said the lady, patting the child's
head, land my maid viii care for her while
am on the stage. She is bright, / see
That is why chose her. She will under
stand what she is to DO and she will not
get into mischief"
''She can mind herself very well, and is
good girl, " the mother said "And this
money is very great zeal to Us, for we've
had Ill luck lately, my husband and l. and
a neighbor will bring her TO rehearsals,
and I'll come myself In the evening, and
her father will fetch her home when it is
over. And thank you kindly, miss and
sir, for choosing her"
Then the woman went away, leading the
little one
The manager hustled of. The actress
gathered up her parasol, her handkerchief,
her fan and shook out her silken gar
ments. She had dropped one Of her gloves,
and man who had fingered ut the further
end Of the long stage hurried TO pick it up
and present it TO her. She took il without
a look or a word of thanks. She merely
moved her head in a naughty little nod,
looking another way meanwhile never at
the man, whose dark face was moved by
strong emotion as he turned away with a
deep sigh
$50 always" he said. II have forgiven
her so much. ! love her so madly. /
would die Mt her feet for kiss from her
red lips. But she would not give me one
even then. Oh, Lola! Lolai do you guess
what ! suffer-"
Meanwhile the beautiful actress was
lying back among the cushions of her car
riage as It bore her to her hotel
Scornful as her manner had been she
was thinking of the man she had just left.
She was steeling herself against his looks,
his glances, his air Of devotion
Remember" she said, false once, false
forever. Lola Marina. remember the
past"
Her mind went back TO her Cirlhood
She was Is again, and standing at the door
OF her parents home in Texas. MagnOlias
bloomed in the garden; roses, rich and
spicy as northern roses never grow, adorned
the lane. The boughs of the orange trees
hung over the low fences, heavy with fruit.
The level sun shone through the dark
leaves and kissed the fruit 70 gold. a par
rot dropped from bar TO bar Of the green
blinds that shaded the windows, and called
It's own name CLARA, Clare, poor Clarar'
Dver and over again, or came down to the
spot where it had left 4 ripe fig to pick at
1t; and now through the shadows below
the gold and green came a figure. She
hoped that it was Lionel, her bctrothed
lover, whom she had not seen for many
days. AS he drew nearer she saw that 10
was Lopez, the Mexican, his friend and
companion on the cattle ranch ten miles
away. She hated Lopez as much IS she
loved Lionel.
He advanced, lifting his sombrero, and
stood in the filtered sunlight, "a gay figure
among the gold and green.
Il kiss your hands, Sonora Lola" he
said. To-day you will not see our friend
Lionel Delura; come alone"
"WhyY she asked
Sonora Lola" the Mexican answered.
''the daughter Of the rich Californian, Of
whom we have spoken, has "a great deal Of
money and many diamonds. Fer nay part
/ prefer diamonds in the eyes Of the girl
| love, but Senior Delura has his own ideas.
Today they celebrate his betrOthal at the
house of the Californian"
And Lola remembe red how dark the
world bad grown, and how She had leaned
against the tall mezgUite tree for support,
and Lopez had put his arm about her
waist and whispered in her ear:
He is "A rascal. that Lionel, and no more |
n friend OF mine. He said that a ,.irl who |
had danced and sung on the stage for |
money might do TO Hirt with, but was not |
the wife for a gentleman. But see here at /
your feet is one who viii be honored by |
your smiles In my native country you |
shall live like q queen. Go with me to the /
priest and there marry me, and let us leave |
this place together"
But in her grief and wrath she had /
pushed him from her and rushed into the |
house.
The next day she had left Texas with a
company of dancers and musicians. She /
danced no longer. She had made fame |
and money since that day. Applause /
greeted her as she stepped upon the stage. /
Flowers were laid at her feet. The press /
heralded her triunphs. The golden youth /
Of society were at her feet. She might |
have married rich men OF position, but she |
had no heart to give. She had wasted 1t
all on Lionel Delura long ago.
Among the orange groves OF Texas the
old parents lived happy in their daughters /
generosity. Some day, when she WAS rich |
enough, she meant 10 go back 10 them and 1
die in her native land But love, shs /
knew, would never visit her again.
And now Lionel Delura had appeared /
again. He had endeavored 70 obtain an
interview with her, but failing in this had
become acquainted with the manager, and
made his appearance behind the scenes.
He seemed 10 be rich. He spent his
money lavishly. He had made himself adj
mired by the whole company-had Toasted
them and done many kind things for
them. Where they went be followed
Every one knew that this was all for the
sake Of Lola Marina; but she declined his
invitations, sent back his presents, left the
flowers he laid at her feet 10 wither on the