Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-01-08


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 IN
able TO refrain from seeing her once again.
GOnly once" he had said, Gand she viii
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.
The first act was over, the second began.
The villain had stolen the little earl. Be
low, the child who played the part was don
ming 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 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
sGonein she shrieked, Ggone. 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 deathlike
| sw6on.
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 the painted scenery, they spread on this
side and on that. There was q terrible panic
| in the auditorium. -
In a moment the stage and orchestra were
| alike empty. A few who had time to look
had seen tall dark man spring from his
| box upon the stage. 1t was Lionel Delura.
| He seized Lola Marina in his arms, and
| knowing the stage exists and entrances so
| well had no difficulty in getting out into the
|
| 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 to life again in Delura's arms.
1t seemed to her that she must be dreaming
| some mad dream.
UAre you all there?n roared the manager.
"The childln cried Lola. "The child
| Where is sheI"
aOh. my God! forgot all about her!"
cried the maid 81 left her in the dressing
roOm!"
@she must be saved!n cried Lola. Then.
lifting her voice, she shrieked: "The child
is still in my dressing-roOm. Anything he
asks to the man who saves the child! Any
thingl AnythingIn But only one replied
to her-the man who had moment before
held her in his arms, Lionel Delura.
II will try" he said calmly, gazing into
the pit of flame revealed by the open door.
GGod knows if it be possible. Adieu, Lola.
Before go one word of all I strove in vain
| to say to you-LOpeZ lied to your Then he
dashed into the house.
This time Lola did not faint. She stood
motionless as a statue, watching the blazing
structure. In her heart she said:
@If he dies, also will die. will XIII
myself"
All about her shrieks of horror arose.
The moments sped away
Ale will never be seen alive again,n said
a voice at her side.
GI hope that fend is there happy now,r
whispered woman.
| Lola repressed a moan, and even as she
clinched her hands and set her teeth, out OF
the flames emerged a 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 cry of delight, caught the
little one to her breast, and Lionel sunk al
her feet.
"Anything he asked, you said he painted.
@GiVe me one kiss before I die-n
She bent over him and gave him twenty
She held him to her bosom.
9My love!n she cried. AMY darlingln
GListen,n he painted. 81 told you Lopez
lied. He left me deliriOus on a bed of sick
ness to utter that falsehOod. He wanted
you for himself. There was no girl, None
| at all. Only you. Lola. He confessed it OF
his death-bed and babe the priest tell me.
Since then have searched for your
| His eyes closed and he lost consciousness
and Lola dropped beside him sObbing hel
| heart out, for she thought him dead. But
though fate is very cruel often, this time
she relented. Cherished by loving hearts
tended by loving hands, Lionel fought his
way back to life, and to-day Lola is his
wife, and they dwell together there among
the magnolias, happy in each others love
Mary Kyle Dallas, in Ftreside Companion.