The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-10-05

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 a boy-she was
mothers darling and heir to an earldom in
twinklingl 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, insulted him, been cruel to
him. But he knew il 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
DOMINIC the ragged garments which it
wore in the wretched habitation where the
next scene found it. Its little feet were
thrust into loose slippers, ready to be cast
off 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 tapes
try; now she lifted lighted lamp high
above her head and peered into the couch
where she had left her darling.
Gomez she shrieked, gone, gone,
gonel'
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 5
couch and she fell back upon the floor in a
deathlike 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 painted scenery, they spread on
this side and on that. There was terri
BILE panic in the auditorium. The bows of
the musicians glided down the strings and
the soft incidental music was changed to
one long shrek.
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 De-
lura. He seized Lola Marina in his arms,
and knowing the stage exits and entrances
so well had no difficulty in getting out into
the open air with her 10y the rear entrance.
Here the company were gathered, some in
the 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 she
must be dreaming some mad dream.
Thank God, ma'amn' cried her maid,
throwing a black lace shawl over Lola's
head and shoulders. Its awful in there
l wonder we got out alive"
Are you all there!" roared the mana
ger.
''The childr' cried Lola. 1.-THE child
Where is she?"
''Oh, my God! forgot all about herp'
cried the maid. 81 left her in the dressing
roomw
''She must be savedr' cried Lola Then,
lifting her voice, she shrieked: 1.-The child
is still in my dressing room. Anything he
asks to the man who save the child! Any
thingl Anything'' But only one replied
to her cry-the man who had a moment
before held her in his arms, Lionel Delura-
81 will try" he said calmly, gazing into
the pit of flame revealed by the open door,
Gods knows if it be possible. Adieu,
Lola. Before go one word Of all strove
in vain to say to you-Lopez lied to you"
Then he dashed into the house.
This time Lola did not faint. She stood
motionless as a statue. watching the biaz-
ing structure. In her heart she said:
IF he dies, also will die. will kill
myselfr'
All about her shrieks of horror arose.
The moments sped away.
He will never be seen alive again." said
q voice at her side
II hope that fend there is happy now"
whispered a woman.
Lola repressed moan, and even as she
clinched her hands and set her teeth, out
of the flames emerged figure, its clothes
dropping from it in finder, its face scarlet,
its hair and beard scorching, but in 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
sunk at her feet.
Anything he asked, you said" he pant
ed. Give me one kiss before die"
She bent over him and gave him twenty.
She held him TO her bosom.
My love-" she cried. My darlingr'
Listen" he painted. Il told you Lopez
lied. He left me delirious on a bed of sick
ness to utter that falschood. He wanted
you for himself. There was no girl None
at oil Only you. Lola. He confessed it
on his deathbed and bade the priest tell
me Since then have searched for you"
HIS eyes closed and be 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 releuted Cherished iIy loving hearts,
tenGed by loving hands. Lionel fought his
way back TO life, and today Lola is hi5
wife, and they dwell together there among
the magnolias, happy IN each others love.
Mary Kyle Dallas il Fireside Communion.
The NiIkmaa - the Pump.
Milkmen are much the same all over