Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-15
ChriiStianVe riina
A Thrilling Romance o.
Land and Sea.
BY ARRAH LEIGH.
CHAPTER VIII-Continucd,

You, then. think he will be back soon?"
questioned Chris, astonished.
Cert ,inly; I'LL that talk about poverty
and disgrace and labor was nonsence, -
said the actress, ringing for a glass of
to believe all men tell you after awhile.
WHEEL ! was your age, I, too, was q credu-
lous, simple country girl in England. l
have often wondered why fate caused the
young nObleman, whose neighbors we
were, to fall in love with me and win my
heart. I was but child, he q man of
the world. l had been reared by very
strict Presbyterian father and mother.
he had no creed at oil, but he made
me love him as l had never loved and
will never love again. He secretly en-
gagged himself to me, and, in fancy, saw
myself Lady Elgin, mistress of the grand
castle by the sea. 1t makes me bitter
with men when I think of the happy
ideals 1 wove. and how he encouraged
them.
My parents were pleased by his atten-
tion to me, and did not interfere with
my dreams. l was SO happy, oh, so
happy, till one day he came to tell
me that he must leave me for a couple of
weeks, that business called him to Lon
don."
She paused and sighed. then resumed:
How I looked and longed for his COM
ing back only woman can know, but
days vanished into weeks. and weeks into
months, and he came not. Invent half
mad. The loneliness of my life APP
palled me. What had formerly given me
JOY was irksome now, and when heard
he was paying his homage at the shrine
of talent. and was everywhere following
. beautiful artistic, determined 1 would
throw of the shackles of lady's life and
become an act ess. l had an idea / would
take the world by storm. and be play
ing star.
deserted my home, was cast off by
my family for being an actress, and never
in my life have been as lonely as when
on the stage. The world seems such
mighty army for woman to fight. I
would never advise another girl to follow
my example
why, Chris, have spent a fortune,
and have reaped, what? The applause Of
children and fools, the scorn and con-
tempt of intellectual people; have
gained thorough knowledge of the world,
and have lost my last particle of faith
in hum an nature. l try to live as others
do. There are hundred suitors who
would each declare / adore him, yet for
Lord Elgin 1 would sacrifice their lives if
need be-"
Not Kenneth Byrne's!" gasped Chris
Yes; in truth. like him better than
the rest. He was always the gentleman,
he was useful about waiting on me. I
is . handsome escort, and at a party, his
carriages and horses were purchased to
suit my taste, and 1 took possession of
them as il they were my own. He liked
to have the reputation of being engaged
to marry the actress who had Tilted half
the swells in town, but he knows l really
care nothing for him, just as we'll as I
do"
1t all seems strange, murmured Chris.
1T is the art world; everything is done
for influence and appearance" remarked
the actress, and then rang n bell. and
ordered hack and her maid, . motherly
woman. in whose care she placed Chris.
Don't leave her till she is safe in her
own home. Sarah, she commanded. You
understand-an annoying lover"
The maid bowed. and, after the actress
had whispered:
Child, be warned by my misery. and
be careful as to what you love-" hris
passed out into the street, and entered
the cab mademoiselle had ordered.
Without speaking, they rolled over the
almost deserted street, till Chris homo
was reached: and very dark and gloomy
looked the huge tenement house. after
the brilliantly lighted hotel they had just
No wonder the young girl trembled as
she babe the maid good Knight. and fear
fully entered the dingy doorway.
Little did she dream what awaited her
coming. Little did she dream Of the
misery At hand, as she timidly walked up
the dark stairs and crept along the
shadowy corridor: yet horror Of the I'M
known future came upon her suddenly,
and she fed to her humble rooms and,
chilled with fright. looked her door; aud
viping the cold beads Of Precipitation from
her brow. sank down, not moving all
she had to fear she had locked in.
CHAPTER TX.
DYING REQUEST.
sOh, il could only forget III"
So the weary lips had murmu' ed, over
and ever again, and the dying man once