Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-12-12

''Don't you think" she asked, with a
smile, cit is rather bold thing for my
reputation to thus entertain an actor of
whom I know comparatively nothing?"
Certainly, and I have yet to learn
the reason of my visit.
Bebe laughed, and then, suddenly
changing her tone, she said:
''You shall know all. -
nodded
"Do you smoke?'
eyes.
Cigarettes were produced, and then,
suddenly stopping she exclaimed:
"Stay! We have forgotten the ell
tree
Indeed we havep' And I placed my
cigarette on the table.
Bebe touched the salver and glanced
round apprehensively. Then she said:
Let me tell you story first. Will
you listen?"
"Indeed l shall be delighted. "
She dew her chair round till she was
directly vis-a-vis; then, brushing back
her hair and disclosing her firmly
SiIdDCu COhUOuI, BLU AASQ I0I GyCo OIl
me and said:
Before | commence my narrative l
must beg of you to reply to one or two
questions. :"
"With pleasure.
''First, when were you in Paris?''
"Let me see. About 1868"
Eighteen hundred and sixty eight?
Are you sure?"
"Positive.
Bebe seemed lost in thought for mo-
ment and then continued:
"Did you play at the Odeon?"
'No.''
cor the Folio Dramatiques?''
"No; my visit to Paris was for pleas
ure. I never acted in French theater
in my life.
''But you speak French?"
'Indifferently. 1 am simply an Eng
lish actor. -
do you know M. Evreux, at As
nieres?''
ST do not
''But you have been there?'
$50 has every Englishman who visits
Paris -
~"You are deceiving me''
'Why should II"
"Peste! Don't prevaricatev'
''Madame!"
Forgive my impetuosity. You are a
clever people, but 1 come of a nation
that produced Fouche, and I am con-
vinced''-
The complication was becoming en-
barrassing.
"Another cigarette?"
''Thanks.
. ''Now,'' said Bebe, ''for my story.
First, to assure myself there are no lis
teners."
S1iting the action to the word, she
crossed to the door, opened it and peered
out reclosed and locked it.
l certainly began to feel trifle nerv-
Gus, but.I was out for the evening, and
it is not every page of ones life that is
tinged with romance. Thus consoling
myself, awaited the next tactics Of my
hostess
She was soon seated in her place. The
entree OH which she prided herself still
remained on the table, carefully Gov
cred.
There was mischievous brilliancy
about her eyes that BODIED no good, but I
laughed at the idea of danger. It was so
very preposterous.
"Let me tell you story, monsieur,
and l must crave your close attention. -
1 nodded obedience
''In August, 1868, there was family
livilea at Asnieres named -. The
household consisted of three persons, ex-
elusive of the servants. These were
monsieur and madame and the young
daughter, Bertha. Another child was
away i'll England at the time, of whom
you shall hear more anon.
Bebe gave me penetrating glance,
as though to fathom the course rly
thoughts were taking. replenished my
glass Of Moet and added:
''Pray proceed. You interest me. :"
''The - were we'll known in the
professional world of Paris, and each
Sunday their reunions were crowded
with the dilettanti of gay Lutetia. Art
lists, authors, actors, musicians and
pretty women fiocked to Belle Vue and
were Hospitality received by monsieur
and madame, who were always rejoiced
to meet their friends. Nor was their
daughter Bertha less unremitting in her
attention to the guests. Matters had
gone Oh thus for several years, and no
event had occurred to disturb the tran
quillity Of the little household. Ono Sun
day among the visitors came an English
actor -
Bebe looked at me, but as the infer
nation caused me no alarm she reiterat-
ed.
''An English actor, underestimate
eyes. -
He was introduced to the family and
proved himself a very entertaining
guest. During the afternoon he gave
several selections from your poet, Shake
speare, and charmed every one. Bertha,
kind, gentle, debonnaire and impress
sionable, was evidently fascinated with
the man, and he was invited to come
frequently. He complied. What would
life be without friendly intercourse?'
/ acquiesced.
"For the next two or three days Ber-
tha and the actor were often together.
They wandered off to st. Germaine and
We'd with each other in culling the big
gest violets. He contrived to meet her
in all kinds of unexpected ways, some
times when her father was with her
sometimes not. They promenaded on