Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-29
COPYRIGHT By AMERICAN Press ASSOCIATION.

and looking up at him. ''This is Mr..
Bellingham, Mr.. Edwardes."
The latter looked at the architect, and
seemed to hesitate whether or not to pro-
coed. bat the emotion by which he was
possessed was too much for him; he went
on. lit saws here" he exclaimed, hold
ing the paper toward Helwise, with his
finger on the paragraph, ''that-here,
read it yourself!'
HeIwise took the paper and read:
''Mlle. Mariana, the great Russian prlma
donna, who has endeared herself to all
New Workers during the past season by
her charming behavior as well as by her
unrivaled musical powers, will next
month bring to a close the most success
full engagement ever known in this city.
Mile. Mariana has lately been in delicate
health. To those Of thousands OF her
friends and admirers we add our own
cordial hopes that she may return to Us
next spring with renewed strength and
energy. Meanwhile we shall not look
upon her like again"
"Is that the paragraph you mean?'
asked Helwise, looking up. whats
the trouble with it,
"Only that there's no such person as
Mile Mariana in New York, nor ever
was-that's allT' cried out the young
gentleman in violent tone.
You're mistaken, sir" put in Belling-
ham. Tim personally acquainted with
Mile. Mariana, and have heard her sing
in New York this season a score of
times"
"You heard an impostor, thenp re-
turned the other angrily. Il know what
I'm talking about. Good God! don't l
know who the Mariana Isl"
keep your coat on, young man" said
Helwise with a quiet laugh. Possibly
you are mistaken instead of Mr.. Belling-
ham"
well, beg your pardon, gentlemen"
said Edwardes, putting a restraint on
himself and speaking in an agitated
voice. eff you only knew you would
pardon me. But look here, sir - Mr..
Bellingham-Tll tell you. met Mile.
Mariana i'll Moscow last summer. She
well, the truth is, she's the lady who is
here with me now. She had an engage
ment with fellow named lingo to sing
this season in New York for four thou
sand dollars Il night, and-she gave it
up because 1 asked her. guess there
isn't more than one Mariana in this
world! There's only one woman alive
who could sing anywhere near her, and
that's my own sister-whom l ruined
and disgraced, by Georger Here, in
spite of his struggles to prevent them,
tears forced themselves into the young
gentlemans eyes, and he sat down and
hid his face in his hands. ''And now, to
think" he cried out, starting up again
and walking to and fro in the room, ''to
think, after all she's done for me, that
scoundrel lingo should trump up an i'm
postor to take her place! By George, I'll
bring him to book if 1 live another fort
night"
You are making a singular accuse
ton, Mr.. Edwardes," said Bellingham
sternly. Twill you vouch for its accu-
racy?"
Eyes, will vouch for it, Mr.. Belling-
ham," returned the other, facing him;
land my name is not Edwardes. I've
had enough of this humbug. There's
my card, sir"
Bellingham took the card. Edward
Randolph" he read and paused. He
looked at the young man curiously.
MAY ask your fathers name? he
said at length.
Alexander Randolph" Edward re-
piled.
"A tall man, about fifty-fve, with
gray mustache and imperial:"
That's the man. Do you know him"
Il have met him. You had better go
home and look after him. said Belling-
ham gravely, land get your Nile. Ma
rama to go with you"
Bellingham left for Liverpool the same
evening, and took passage for New York
two days later. Edward Randolph and
Mile. Mariana sailed the same day on
another steamer, and they all arrived at
their destination within ten days after
ward.