Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-05-19


take some part. She would assist them
in any way but that And as. one hy
one, the beautiful living pictures
drew forth enthusiastic applause,
their perfect success was mostly owing
to her taste and skill In ons Of them.
the last upon the list, Philip appeared
alone with Lille In that touching
picture Of THE Huguenots. Brave,
resolute and uLspeakably handsome
he looked as he held her to him,
while she tied round his arm the white
signal which should protect him. The
picture was perfect, aud one pair Of
eyes watched it from behind the
scenes with jealous lntentness which
saw it all, and look almost OF hate
crept over her beautiful face as she
watched them.
Slowly the curtain was descending
when her eyes caught what none other
had seen. spark OF red, which any
motion might fan into flames, and
which showed with lurid glare on
Lille Laurence's closely clinging dress
Fascinated, she watched it deepen and
glow. AS in vision she saw the beau
tiful face distorted and ruined. Who
would care for it then? Was she mad?
Could she harbor for one moment such
thought? Aud wild shrek escaped
her lips. and was echoed by Lille a
.the flames rush out and she found her
self enveloped in them Yet before
she had time actually to realize the
danger. or the awe-strnck people 10
make move toward her rescue, she
felt herself claped to Miss Sewell !
breast another moment, and with her
own dress was she beating tnem down,
with her own hands fighting their pro-
oress. 1t was short struggle, but 1T
cost the victor dear. Not burn was
on Lille Laurence's lair, white skin,
but Miss Sewell ros', white almos'
tainting.
"Iou are hurt, Mabel an anxions
voice said "My darling, how brave,
how noble you were. >
Vas it Philip who spoAe thus? She
would not yield to this weakness. She
wc.:fd cross tho room, aud gain the
hall She male two or three st .ps,
feebly but resolutely, vaguely wonlor-
ing what had made her flesh So heavv,
or gave her this angnished pain III her
hand. then sho seemed t. step sud.
denly down into blackish darkness
y AN lvin9,' she thought. "What
will he Think AMI it seemed to her
she called aloul with her last breath
'Philip. Oh, Philip
In reality the words were but
whisper, but they found their way t,
the ears of him whom she called, VIII,
bent over her with q world Of anxious
carried hex where she might have ;ll
and rest and silence. The hands which
had lone their work SO brayelv were
tenderlv bandaged, and when sh
opened her eyes aud came back to thc
world, she felt her hands anl sou
were cleansed of thought which hal
been crime. Philip still was pesld'
her. and at the memory Of his words g
burning flush, half pain, half JOY, ros
to her face.
"Mabel, are you better he whls
pered. II have been SO anxious, dar
ling. I have longed SO, Mabel, to tel
YOU os my love, but you seemed s.
cold, so changed. | dared not hazar,
| all. What have | done to offend YOU
Forgive me for taking advantage q
your weakness. but dare not wait IN
til Won are strong to escape me.
Was she dreaming? If SO. Nigh
she never wsken! Then she remenl
nered Lille
''Ycu are forgetting Miss Laurence
claims upon YOU, Mr Bonsart
| "Claims upon me- | know OF none