The Lamar register., 1894-05-19

oener one He was Mia vavasorss
favored suitor. and to pique him she
nad been kind to Cyril Keith. He was
really titled nobleman. To win =
title, Miss vavasor would have borne
any sorrow. descended to any humil-
.ty. To that one glittering aim her
heart was anchored: to become Lady
Montford she would have sold her best
friend into bondage. She had lured
oyril Keith on, with the hope of in
citing the nobleman to a proposal.
She had done her best Will she suc-
ceed?
Tonight she was fair as u dream
woman, in her robe of snowy silk
trimmed with gold. and white plush
opera-cloak. Her beautiful hair was
sparkling with diamonds; she was the
ioveiiest woman in the great theatef.
winch was literally packed until there
was not even standing room. The
story of the young writer had gotten
abroad in some way, and public inter
est was excited, public curiosity
aroused. The play began and pro-
gressed. Cyril Keith proved a reve-
iation to even those who knew him
best. He was grand. Even the crit
les, who came to condemn, could not
refrain from admiration. The cur
tain was about to arise upon the last
act-the act in which the young poet
In the play was to be rewarded by the
hand of the woman he loved so madly,
and for whose sake he had toiled and
striven. just before the curtain rose,
note was handed to Cyril Keith. He
tore it open and read these words:
Dear Friend -cyrII-I know you will be
pleased At my good fortune we have been
good friends. have we not, So / make bold
70 tell you that tonight 1 have promised to
become the wife Of Lord Clarence Montford
Only think Of it-Lady Montfordi | am so
elaird I must tell some one and SO tell you
Congratulate me Your friend. MAUDE"
Once, twice, three times the pale
lips read it over. the perspiratiop
standing in drops upon his white
brow. his hands clinching the brutal
letter until he lost all power to feel.
The call to the stage sounded in his
cars: the audience must not be kept
waiting. Some one touched his arm.
Good heavens! man, you are illl' .
voice said. which sounded far off like
distant thunder But he drew away
from his interlocutor and passed out
upon the stage.
Slowly and falteringly he went
through the part. until he came to
where the hero tells the heroine of his
mighty love.
Il would have lain my life down for
you," so ran the words of the play.
just then his eyes met the flashing,
triumphant orbs of Miss vavasor in
the stage-box, and at her side, the
portly form of the English nobleman,
Lord Clarence Montford.
Slowly the great blue eyes of the
actor dilated; he caught his breath
with gasp: reeled unsteadily toward
the box where she sat in all her glow
ing beauty gazing cruelty down upon
him, like Mephistopheles gloating over
lost soul. Then, with faint moan
he fell-fell, and the blood streaming
over his white lips crimsoned tho
stage.
When they lifted the golden head
life was quite extinct Cyril Keith
had made his first and last appearance
in the play which was destined to
bring him fame and fortune, now that
he no longer needed it, and send his
name ringing down the aisles of time
in posthumous glory.
So many of US become famous
after we are dead'
When the news was brought to
Maude vavasor-the future Lady
Montford-in her lace-draped box
the announcement of the young mans
tragic death, her beautiful face paled
LII H.. l.. ,-x.l Liza