San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-19
LOLA.

From the back of - theatre, dingy
spot that contrasted sharply with the fine
front entrance of the building, a number
of women were emerging, their faces ex-
pressing disappointment in some cases, an
ger in others, and exchanging as they went
remarks of 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 rs behind the scenes, one young
woman still fingered, standing before the
leading lady, who, dressed in walking cos
tune, reclined in large velvet chair; and
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 a child's part in the piece,
was receiving her directions as to it's 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 let no harm come to her, miss
she's very dear to us?"
"Oh, she will be an important person
age" said the lady, patting the child's
head land my maid will 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 deal to us, for we've
had i'll luck lately my husband and |, and
a neighbor will bring her to rehearsals,
and ri 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 OFF 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 at the further
end of the long stage hurried to pick it up
and present it to her. She took it without
n look or word of thanks. She merely
moved her head in 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 81 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, I4olal Lolal 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 girlhood.
She was Is again, and standing at the door
of her parents home in Texas. Magnolas
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 to gold. A par
rot dropped from bar to bar of the green
blinds that shaded the windows, and called
its own name, CLARA, Clara, poor Clarav
over and over again, or came down to the
spot where it had left ripe fig to pick at
it; and now through the shadows below
the gold and green came a figure. She
hoped that it was Lionel, her betrothed
lover, whom she had not seen for many
days. As he drew nearer she saw that it
was Lopez, the Mexican, his friend and
companion on the cattle ranch ten miles
away. She hated Lopez as much as she
loved Lionel
He advanced, lifting his sombrero, and
stood in the filtered sunlight, gay figure
among the gold and green.
II kiss your hands, Sonora Lola" he
said. To-day you will not see our friend
Lionel DeIura; come alone"
"Why?" she asked
Sonora Lola" the Mexican answered,
1.-The daughter Of the rich Californian, of
whom we have spoken, has great deal of
money and many diamonds. For my part
| prefer diamonds in the eyes of the girl
love, but Senior Belura has his own ideas.
Today they celebrate his betrothal at the
house of the Californian"
And Lola remembered how dark the
world had grown, and how she had leaned
against the tall mezquite 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 |
a friend of mine. He said that girl who |
had danced and sung on the stage for |
money might do to fiirt with, hut was not |
the wife for gentleman. But seel here at !
your feet is one who will be honored by |
your smiles In my native country you |
shall live like queen. Go with me to the |
priest and there marry me, and let US leave |
- - L