The morning call., 1890-04-05
LADY TAMAR'S APPEAL
CONTINUED

~ THAT it must be perfection on yours,
he interrupted, CALAMITY, as he removed the
gem.
Thanks" laughed the actress. II could
live ON compliments and jewery! Really,
it is exquisite" she continued, placing 1t on
her tiny hand, and moving the latter so as
to cause the gems to flash. Il must get
one like it; tile style of setting is unique.
/ positively could turn thief for such a
jewel"
81 would not have You do so, If you will
honor me by its acceptance" he said.
But why did his words sound so harsh, so
forced, even to his own ears? They were
not his natural tones.
Gould it be he was discovering he had
built up in his Imagination pure-souled
idol, even the foundation for which never
existed? Was this painted being before him
the young actress whom the world lauded
for her modesty and virtue?
You don't mean, surely, that / may
keep i'll" exclaimed Helen Wardour in ap-
parent ecstacy. "HoW generous you are !!
/ am so much obliged. What must l give
in return? This flower? No, il is too
poor. Stay, Sir Launeelot,. you may take
one, just one little kiss" Bending her
beautiful head slightly, she turned her
cheek toward him.
For second Sir Arthur drew back. The
chill sense of disappointment increased.
Was this woman actually she whom he had
loved with so reyerential n devotion?
BE CAREFUL" laughed Helen WardOur !;
ACTRESSES compilations are treacherous"
STOPPING he touched the rouged cheek so
slightly that she turned quickly toward
him.
How pale you looked" she remarked
with a forced smile. ION, the sweet mod
esiy of youth! Dear Sir Launcelot, have l
shocked you? Nay, you must not judge US
actresses rs other women"
And yet" he broke in, earnestly and
panied, the words escaping him inyolun-
liz 1,,1 1
heard, from what l had seen, that might
rank you, Helen Wardour, as among the
purest of the latter"
a sharp spasm pierced the actress breast
Her strength threatened to fail her. Ohl
II was cruel 10 have to make the man she
loved alone in the whole world think evil Of
her; but it must be. With laugh as of
pity, and toying with his ring, she said
And are you so very unsophisticated,
Sir Launcelot, as to put credence in the
worlds on dts, or in what your own eyes
behold upon the surface? Bah! / thought
you more au fait in such matters" Then,
her manner changing quickly, her speech
becoming rapid, she continued, what do
you think she who can perSonate the human
passions on the stage-the heat of love
nerceuess OF hate-the despair OF grief-the
ecStacy OF J0y-can lead a humdTum
womau's existence when the curtain has
fallen on her triumphs? Do you think the
lovers who kueel at her feet before the gas
ghts are 10 content her? Is all that is
fictitious to suffice one whose passions are
being constantly wrought upon? What
are they TO do with all the excitement they
arouse for the public's pleasure when the
play Is 0VeT?-cTush 1t, and, dying of re-
preston, cease soon to be actresses? Nay,
nay, recollect they are but human, so let
them act for your pleasure and live for
their own. Let them have triumphs off as
well as on the stage. Oh! she continued,
rising and beginning to pace the room, abb
sorbed apparently by her words, Il should
die without alteration, homage - without
those charming petltS Soupers where mirth,
wit and laughter vie with the sparkle of
champagne
1.-The glorious vintage of champagne"
She hummed. with graceful abandon. rails
ing her hand as if she graSped goblet of
the wine. All! yes, that is eXistence-the
lights, the flowers, the banquet-the eyes
that look but to admire, the lips which open
but to compliment! One is happy then, q"
and in clear, rich voice she sang verse
OF song in praise of the life she described.
SIT Arthur gaZed with horror at this, his
broken IDOL. BToken-nay, only revealed :;
Tor one who could so think and talk could
never have been perfect, or worthy that
pure love he had bestowed-a love which
he felt with him was life. No. it was no
more the same woman than the same face
he had worshiDed. The complexion he
had heard and believed to be so natural he
4Ouuu was Created Dy the combined Aus OIL
creme de Glmperatrlce, blanc de perleS and
rouge yegetal; the soft bloom OF her lips
was Indebted 10 rose de chine. and her dark
lashes to fard lndien.
His heart was heavy and sick within him.
How bitterly had his eyes been opened
Could he have ever loved Helen Wardour?
could he really have been so blinded. so de-
eeived, as to make her divinity? Would
he had died before he had learned his
errorl Sweeter TO have passed from eX-
lstenee, trusting, than living with that cruel
knowledge. His reverie was interrupted
by the actress abruptly resuming her seat
by his side and taking his hand in hers.
Iell me-perhaps this life | describe is
strange to you? she said. Would you
like to be introduced to it? There are not
many upOn whom I'd confer such favor !;
but, Sir LauncelOt, you have pleased me,
aud / will be your instructress. There-f
give supper tO-morrow; you shall be one
OF the guests. L expect dozen choice
spirits, and will promise you SO gay an
evening that you shall laugh at both time
and care"
At this moment Stephanie entered with
tile letter on salver. On percelving her
mistress seated by the stranger, his hand in
hers, she came to dead halt, lost in aston
ishment Helen Wardour, starting up,
made pretense to hurry for the letter.
"ldiot" she whispered. you have nearly
sp0ilt eVerythingi Act Indifference"
With an apology she tore it open and
read.
at is from Lord Pelhamp she cried,
rapturonSly. He invites me to supper
at - House this evening, and will take no
refusal. AS if l should send one!"
Sir Arthur rose quickly to his feet.
Lord Pelham ~ he calculated.
Yes, Sir Launcelot. Why this sur
prise2"
.,only--I have heard-and here I must
beileVe-Lord Peiham's suppers are such
that even some actresses, though not to be
judged as other women, refuse to contain
lnate themselves by being present"
Tut, Iutl l repeat you are too IN
sophisticated, mon ami. Why, you seem
perfectly shockedp'
- Ii is no seeming, madam" he rejoined.
bowing. Il am not the first who has discov-
cred the feet of divinity clay. With your
permission l will withdraw"
Most certainly. StePhanie, this gentle
man has had enough of my society. as | Of
lug him to the door"
Sweeping. him derisive courtesy, she
turned her back on her visitor, who-giddy,
wretched, stunned hurried, like one
stricken for death, from her presence.
No sooner had Sir Arthur gone than, with
an agonized outburst of grief, Helen
Nardour dropped upon couch,
L have sdcccededP she cried: shut oh.
at what price! May heaven in its mercy
save me from such another trial. | have
- hiduc eio Ouly HAL can ever love not only
nate but loathe my presencel Oh, ii
has been cruel-cruel to him and meP'
When Lady lamar. issuing from the adj
Joining apartment, approached the actress,
she found her in deep swOon.
1t was fully ten minutes before her LADY,
ship, using the eau-de-cologne she found on
table, succeeded in bringing back con-
seriousness. AS it returned, and Helen
Wardour's eyes rested on her attendant. a
tremor ran through her frame-an express
sion of repulsion overspread her features.
Checking both, she said. haughtily, rising
up:
Is your ladyship satisfied? Have /
proved l can be grateful?"
= There was no pride in Lady Tamar's
bearing and tone now, as she answered,
Bowling almost reYerentially before the
speaker, she replied:
You have, Jane GOODBYE. ask-nay.
! beseech-your forgiveness for the wrong
In thought which have done you? May 1
be your friendP 1t will be an honor"
Mop was the quick rejoinder. "You
know not what you ask For my sake, as