Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-19

she said, pointedly. "I don't believe
what you say. 1 think you cruel, I'M
just to say it; and begin to fancy we
may not be as happy together as we
thought. At any rate, we shall dis
agree on this point
'sGeraldine.''
cts true, love acting. Oh. would
so like to be an actress
Geraldine! Geraldiner' cried young
girl, running up. ''Come here, dear;
old Mrs. Hudson says she must be in
troduced to you. Every ones talking
of your success"
Geraldine nodded triumphantly, and
glanced back at her betrothed, as much
as to say: ''There, you see," as she
hurried off.
'sShe is one of the sweetest, dearest
Of girls reflected Sydney, as he slow
~ followed; land they will spoil her.
If they only knew what getting on the
stage means, they would be careful
not to turn girls or male idiots heads
by their folly. 1 will see Geraldine's
aunt. Thank Heaven, shall soon be
my darling's guardian and protector
Geraldine slept very little that night,
being too excited with her success.
Sydney Ascot slept, perhaps, not quite
SO much, for thinking of her.
The following afternoon he carried
out his intention of seeing Miss Frob-
shere, the aunt of his betrothed.
''My dear Sydney exclaimed the old
lady, ''the girls just lost her head about
it. I wish all the private theatricals
were at the bottom of the sea, that do.
If girl, or young man, is only
praised enough by friends, they think
they have but to step upon the real
stage to become at once Charlotte
Cushman or an Edwin Booth. There is
no fever like the acting fever. Why"
added the old lady, to Sydney's surprise,
81 even caught the disease a little in my
young days; only my paren is, Heaven
bless them, stamped it out"
81 don't mind private theatricals,' -
put in Sydney, gravely; ''save where it
leads to false ideas, and
My dear boy, you can't separate the
letter come from the Griggses to Ger
| aldine, wanting her to play Polly
Eccles in Caste and since not a sylla-
BILE can 1 get out of her. 1 tried by
the m ost enticing subject. My love- I
said, Il was thinking about your trous-
seau.' oh, aunt she interrupted,
don't disturb me. I want to learn this
part. The Griggses have given me such
| short notice. Here she isl
AS she spoke, Geraldine came slowly
into the room, through the conserv-
atory. Her eyes were fixed upon one
of Samuel French's little yellow play
books, her lips moved. Miss Frobshere
shrugged her shoulders.
"Ah, Sydneyr' exclaimed his be-
trothed, looking up, her eyes dancing,
81 hope you don't want me to go out?
l really must get this by heart. Oh, it's
such a nice part-I wish you'd give me
my cues
''An right" he rejoined, taking the
book
''What good fellow!' and she began.
"Well, what do you think, eh?'
''Why, I've seen Ada Rehan-a born
actress he said quietly; ''and 1 must
own you don't quite understand the
character. Of course it may please your
friends of last night
Geraldine snatched the book from his
hand.
IF you can not approve, you need
not insult she said, coldly, haughtily.
HE is right, Dine. What he says is
for your good" put in Miss Frobshere
my dear aunt, at present being de-
pendent upon you, you of course may
say what you please" replied Geraldine,
as, with the stately step of a Fanny
Davenport, she quilted the room.
She did not appear again while
Sydney was there. He went away
down-hearted. That golden future,
which he had regarded as so securely
his, seemed vanishing in the dim dis
tance.
The next morning, while he sat at
breakfast, hurried note reached him
from Miss Frobshere
''Come to me at once,'' it ran. 81 am
distracted. Geraldine has gomez
Gone!
For few seconds he sat motionless,
unable to realize the words. Then he
sprang up, and was soon fastening to
| the villa. 1t was quite true. Geraldine
had gone to bed early the previous
| evening, and next morning her aunt
had waited breakfast for her half an
hour; then had sent to her room, to find
its occupant flown. In vain they
searched-not clew could they dis
cover. They both guessed the truth,
and the letter each received that after
noon confirmed it. Sydney's was to this
effect:
| my DEAREsT:-I am, feel, about to cause
| you great pain; but can not avoid it. 1 re
lease you; 1 ask you to release me. We think
so differently on some points, that feel We
! should never be happy man and WIFE The
| fault would be mine-I own it. am conscious
OF histrfonic talents within me, which would be
| endless misery and regret, did I suppress
them can not suppress them. l know you
are of a different opinion One day you may have
| to acknowledge that my friends of last night
| were right, and you were wrong In plain
words, 1 am going on the stage, and mean to
be-if not an Ada Rehan, at least success
There!-it must rest with you how NEE,
! in the future; for I love you, and shall never
4, love another so well, If ever again.