The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-12-10

.
heart fell. She had deliberately done the
deed. but the result was misery.
She had no idea that Lionel had been I'M
able 90 refrain from seeing her once again.
"Only once,n he had said, sand she wiA
never know it.n
wronged him. insulted him, been cruel To
him. But he hney IL was In revenge for
the slight she believed him 10 have put upon
her.
The first act vas over. lne second bSgan.
The villain had stolen the little earl. Be-
low. the child who played the part was dom
ming the ragged garments which IL wore in
the wretched habitation where the next
scene found IL. Its little feet were thrust
into loose slippers. ready to be cast of when
the time for bare feet had come.
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,r she shrieked. 9gone. gone. gone ~
As she uttered the words the memory OF
Lionel swept across her heart Again that
miserable faintness seized her. Her hand
forgot its clasp, the lamp dropped from it
amid the white drapery OF the child's couch.
and she fell upon the floor In "A deathlke
swoon.
The lamp had broken I'm 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 this
side and on that. There was terrible panic
in the auditorium. 4
In "A moment the stage and orchestra were
alike empty. A few who had time 10 look
had seen tall dark man spring from his
box upon the stage. 1t was Lionel Delura.
lie seized Lola Marina i'm his arms, and
knowing the stage exists and entrances so
well had no difficulty i'm 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 u life again In Delura's arms.
IL seemed To her that she must be dreaming
some mad dream.
"Are you all Thereof roared the manager.
"rhe cSild!" cried Lola. "The child,
Where is shefn
..Oh. my God / forgot all about her."
cried the maid III left her in the dressing
room.n
"She must be saved" cried Lola. Then.
lifting her voice. she shrieked; "The child
is still in my dressing room. Anything he
asks 10 the man who saves the child. Any
thing. Anything But only one replied
To her-the man who had moment before
held her in his arms, Lionel Delura.
III will try" he said calmly, gazing into
the pit OF flame revealed by the open door.
"God knows IL IL be possible. Adieu. Lola.
Before | go one word OF all / strove in vain
To say To you-Lopez lied TO your Then he
dashed into the house.
Ths.time Lola did not faint. She stood
motionless as n statue. watching the blazing
structure. In her heart she said:
"lf he dies, l also will die. / will kill
myself
All about her shrieks OF horror arose
The moments sped away
"lIe will never be seen alive again, said
a voice at her side.
IL hope that fend IS there happy now.r
whispered a woman.
Lola repressed a moan. and even as she
clinched her hands and set her teeth. out OF
the flames emerged "A figure, It's clothes
dropping from IL in finder its face scarlet,
its hair and beard scorchng, but in his arms
the little one unframed.
roar OF JOY went up from the crowd.
The maid, with cry Of delight, caught the
little one 10 her breast, and Lionel sunk at
her feet
"Anythlng he asked, you said. - he painted.
"Give me one kiss before / die
She bent over him and gave him twenty.
She held him 10 her bosom.
"My love.n she cried "My darling.n
"Listen,n he painted. 81 told you Lopez
lled. lie left me dellrlouS on a Ded or SICK
ness 20 utter that falsehood. lie wanted
you for himself. There was no girl, None
at all. Only you. Lola. He confessed il on
his death bed and bade the priest tell me.
Since then | have searched for you"
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 relentcd. Cherished by loving hearts,
tended by loving hands, Lionel fought his
way back 10 life, aud to-day Lola is his
wife. and they dwell together there among
the magnolias happy in each Others love.
Mary Kyle Dallas. ia Fireside Companion.