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

lnUO us arms ana forgive MIN all the past,
Nerved by the knowledge of her own weak
ness Lola gave Delura glance into which
she threw ali 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, demand your pro-
lection"
Dear me, Miss Marina" that gentle.
man replied, 81 had no idea you needed it,"
He spoke in a testing way, anxious to
impress the other members of the company
| that joke was intended: but Lola was de-
termined to drive Delura away. With her
heart beating wildly, her whole being re-
voting from the task she had undertaken,
he repeated the words.
Mr.. Delura has offended me- He is in.
sulting, his presence here annoys me. All
| the ladies and gentlemen must know that
/ am prosecuted every day by attentions to
| which | am utterly averse Yet you en-.
| courage this man to come here"
ale is my friend, madame-my friend,
| and a perfect gentleman" said the mana
ger. 81 invited him behind the scenes.
am proud of his interest in my theatre.
| amiable courtesy as Mr.. Delura shows to
all the ladies of my company and must
add that believe that ladies who are I'M
| usually charming and much sought after
become capricious. Yes, indeed my dear
Miss Marina, very carricious, and just
little overbearing."
"You may think what you please, Mr..
Morgan" said the star. 81 am not at all
;ctr rho I Inv nf D,,k,
will either tell Mr.. Delura to absent him
| self in future or will cancel my engage
| ment | am in serious earnest, and you
will kindly remember that | am. That
man must not come here again"
A little cry of disappointment went up
from the spot where the ladies had gath
cred together. Delura was a favorte with
| them. The men merely stared in aStonish-
ment.
"Choosep said Lola haughtily.
81 hope you do not blame me for this,
| Delura9" said the manager
"My presence shall cease to annoy Miss
| Marina" replied the Texan. 81 regret that
| it has done So" He turned away. The
| ladies rushed after him to utter adieus.
ave shall break our hearts if we do not
| see you again." one of them cried.
Delura smiled and bowed. He was gone,
| Morgan with him. What would not the
| latter have given to be able to say to this
| overbearing star of his, "You may go to-
morrow if you like" But it would have
| been his ruin.
As for Miss Marina she sailed haughtily
| to her dressing room, locked the door, and
| sinking upon the couch which it con-
tanned tainted away. The struggle had
| been too much for her. When she recov-
| cred it was nearly dusk, and her maid was
| anxiously knocking at her door.
Lola declared that she had been asleep,
and glass of wine restored her sufficiently
| to reach home. She would not weep-she
dared not She could not appear before
her public with swollen eyes. But the
| thought that she had driven Lionel from
| her forever was torture. She went to the
| theatre that night in a very miserable
mood. The child we have spoken of had
| already arrived
"Howssorry you look, Miss Marina" she
said. Are you sorry?"
Lola sighed.
Il don't know what could make you sor-
~. So rich and pretty and everything"
said the child. "But you look as mother
used to look when the baker came for his
bill and we hadn't any money"
Lola laughed-an actress can laugh IL
| need be-
Mother don't be sorry any more" the
child said, land I've got a new silk dress
for Sundays, and so has she"
Meanwhile the little creature was deity
buttoning the velvet dress she wore in the
first act of the piece. The golden curls fell
to her waist, the buckled shoes were fast
ened.
The part was that of boy-she was
mothers darling and heir to an earldom in
a twinkling! And Lola, as a lovely wild
owed countess, yet young and beautiful,
swept upon the stage leading her son by
the hand
But the eyes of the countess turned to a
certain curtain box, whence applause and
bouquets had been so often cast to her.
1t was empty, or she thought so, and
her heart fell. She had deliberately done
the deed, but the result was misery.
She had no idea that Lionel had been
unable to refrain from seeing her once
again.
"Only once" he had said, land she will
never know it."
He sat there gazing at her. She had
wronged him, insultcd him, been cruel to
him. But he knew it was in revenge for
the slight she believed him to have put
upon her down there in Texas, where the
magnolias blossomed and they lived their
golden days together.
The first act was over, the second be-
gan. The villain had stolen the little earl.
Below, the child who played the part was
donning 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