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

1t was empty, or she thought so, and her
heart fell. She had deliberately done the
deed. but the result was misery. "a
She had no idea that Lionel had been un-
able to refrain from seeing her once again.
@Only once,n he had said, sand she will
never know it,
He sat there gazing at her. She had
wronged him, insulted him., BEEN cruel to
him. But he knew it was in revenge for
the slight she believed him to hayeput upon
her.
The first act was over, the second began.
The villain had stolen the little earl Be
low, the child who played the part was dom
ming the ragged garments which it wore in
the wretched habitation where the next
scene found it. It's little feet were thrust
into loose slippers, ready to be cast off when
the time for bare feet had comes
Meanwhile. in the splendid nursery Of
the castle, the mother ran wildly to and FRO
Now she searched behind the tapestry; now
she lifted lighted lamp high above her
head, and peered into the couch where she
had left her darling.
"Gone.n she shrieked, "gone, gone, gone!n
AS she uttered the words the memory or
Lionel swept across her heart Again that
miserable faintness seized her. Her hand
forgot it's clasp, the lamp dropped from it
amid the white drapery Of the chlld's couch,
and she fell upon the floor in a deathlfke
swoon.
The lamp had. broken in the fall, the oil
spread over couch and carpet, and the
flames, with such good fuel offered them,
flashed up apace.
They climbed up the curtains, they caught
at the painted scenery, they spread on-ythis
side and on that. There was q terrible panic
in the auditorium.
In a moment the stage and orchestra were
alike empty. A few who had time to look
had seen a tall dark man spring from his
box upon the stage 1t was Lionel Delura
He seized Lola Marina in his arms, and
knowing the stage exists and entrances SO
we'll had no difficulty in getting out into the
open air with her by the rear entrance
Here the company were gathered, some in
costumes they had worn. some half dressed
having left their dressing rooms as they
were changing costumes for the new scene.
The atmosphere was heavy with smoke as
Lola came to life again in Delura's arms
1t seemed to her that shemust be dreaming
some mad dream.
nAre you all there?" roared the manager.
@The child.n cried Lola. @The child!
Where is she?n
ooh my God! I forgot all about her!"
cried the maid. II left her in the dressing
roOm!n
@She must be saved" cried Lola. Then.
lifting her voice. she shrieked: "The child
is still in NY dressing room. Anything he
asks to the man who saves the child. Any
thing! Anything,n Bat only one replied
to her-the man who had a moment before
held her in his arms, Lionel Delura.
III will try,n he said calmly, gazing into
the pit of flame revealed by the open door
"God knows if it be possible Adieu Lola.
Before l go one word of all | stroTe in vain
to say to you-Lopez lied to yOn.n Then ho
dashed into the house =:
This time Lola did NOT faint, She stood
motionless as a statue, watching the blazing
structure. In her heart she said:
kLTf no I.llS IUil in NJ Iii
myself"
All about her shrieks of horror arose.
The moments sped away.
"He will never be seen alive again" said
voice at her side.
II hope that fend is there happy now,''
whispered a wo1Mam.'
Lola repressed a moan, and even as she
clinched her hands and set her teeth, out of
the flames emerged "a figure, its clothes
dropping from lit in finder, its face scarlet,
it's hair and beard scOrching but iM his arms
the little one unframed.
A roar of joy went up from the crowd.
The maid with a cry of delight caught the
little one to her breast, and Lionel sank at
her feet.
~Anything he asked, you said,' he painted.
"Give me one kiss before die"
She bent over him and gave him twenty.
She held HIM to her bosom.
eMy love!n she cried. "My darling"
"Listen,n he painted. II told you Lopez
lied. He left Gne .delirious on.a bed of sick
ness to utter that falsehood. He wanted
you for himself There was no girl, None
| at all. Only you. Lola. He confessed it ON
his death bed and babe the priest tell me-
Since then L have searched for YOU'D "'s'"F'' z
His eyes closed and he lost consciousness,
and Lola dropped beside him sobbing her
heart out, for she thought him dead But
though fate is very cruel often, this time
she relented- Cherished by loving hearts,
tended by loving hands, Lionel fought his
way back to fife, and to-day Lola is his
wife. and they dwell together there among
the magnoliAs. HAPPY in each others love.
Mary Kyle Dallas. in FiYeside COMPANION.