The herald., 1894-12-28

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actor. T"
Bobe looked at me, but as the infor
nation caused mo no alarm she reiterat
ed.
"An English actor, understsnd?'
"Yes.''
HE was introduced to the family and
proved himself 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.
tina 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
the terrace, and once NJ. - even per-
mitted their visitor from England to
take Bertha to the salon.
IA week, a fortnight, sped by, and
still the young couple evinced no desire
to discontinue their friendship. Au con-
traire, it was evident Bertha had fallen
violently in love with her preux cheva-
lier, and he certainly appeared to recip-
rocate.
Bebe paused.
''And how did it all end?'' / asked.
Don't be impatient. We are coming
to the denouement. He was invited to
what you call put up with the house
hold during his stay. He consented.
One morning, when the household as
sembled, the visitor was missing"
"Gone?''
"Gone, like thief in the night"
''The cad,' protested.
Monsieur is AN actor, " she hazarded
and continues: ''The result of his exodus
caused some little alarm, but as Bertha
appeared to ignore the subject it was
dropped by general consent, though it
was evident even to the casual observ-
er, that she felt the slight keenly."
Naturally.
Permit me TO finish the story. Three
days after Bertha had disappeared also.
Her absence was not noticed till the
evening. The first train to Paris brought
monsieur and madame, and naturally tho
morgue was tho first place visited.
Helas, their worst fears were realizedl
There, revealed to public gaze, peaceful
III death, was-Berthan
At this point Bebe was evidently
struggling against the emotion that
manifested itself.
Madame, your story
Hear me outw she calculated. "The
body had been found in that receptacle
of misery-tho Seine. Whatever doubts
existed rs to having met her death by
foul play were dispelled by tho follow
ing note. give you tho translation:
''To MY DEAR PARENTs-I have sought ccrso.
iaticn in oblivion. Forgive your orring child,
''BEETHA."
'The pro1igator' / cried, fully alive
to the mans unmitigated villainy.
NAY. hear me out. The sister re-
fcrrod to in the letter returned to As.
nieres Il month later, but the shock to
the old people had been too much, and
ere long they were conveyed to Pere la
Chaise. Now, there was only one course
open to the surviving daughter-re-
vengo!"
"EE..clly, but did you discover your
man? What proofs had you?'
Simply a photograph Of tho man as
Hamlet, which he had given to Bertha,
but I registered vow would traverse
the continent-aye. the world itself
till 1 had discovered the destroyer of
my family"
Again Bebe's emotions interfered
with her utterance, and she looked as if
she were going to swoon. sprang for
ward.
"Bo seated, she said authoritatively.
began to wish myself some miles
from Treverton.
She paused q moment and then re-
gained her conposure.
MY story is almost finished. I am
Bertha's sister''
"You?'
II, Bebe"
Here she drew herself up to her full
height, and her eyes positively blazed
with indignation. Crossing the room,
she olutohed me by the collar and hissed:
"You are her murdererr'
Then, releasing me, she sank back ex-
hausted.
My first idea was to escape, but ere I
could put the plan into execution she
continued:
81 have prayed for this night to
core,
am fain to confess did not coincide
with her devotional past wishes.
"But surely, madame, you cannot con-
nect mo with this villain?''
''No connection is necessary. You are
tho man. With this photograph in my
pocket | have visited nearly every thea
ter i'll England. EARLY in the present
week took box at the Theater Royal
You played Hamlet. The moment you
stepped on the stage was convinced
you were the man. My one object was
to get you in my power. I have succeed
3D."
But l urged, "this is madness.
Any other actor might be selected as
your victim simply because he played
he unfortunate prince of Denmark -
"Peste! told you have prepared an
,ntree with my own hands. Remove the
lish.''
I instinctively raised the cover from
he salver, and there, revealed to view,