The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-02
THE LAST ACT.
Copyrighted. 1895.

"You seem no longer doubtful, Bur-
nets,'' remarked the inspector, as In the
hushed silence of the darkened house the
former approached him, and Marguerite
was saying from her white dimity bed TO
CASTOR in the play.
"Kind heart, here you are, you VINO
have never been otherwise than friend !
you believe in me, you trust me, ana
watch over me to the endy'
CASTOR: 81 know that you are good;
am assured.
"Yes, ;" replied Burnett, 81 too, am as
suredi"
The detective smiled.
sit is difficult TO conceive the brain that
can act as she does. " said he, land think
OF so many momentous affairs. Perhaps
she is at this moment planning an escape,
planning her own death. F"
Burnett laughed contentedly. The love-
light from her eyes was still Illuminating
his soul.
swat and see, but be ready" said the
inspector grimly, ''for / fear the worst T"
The touching catastrophe OF the lady
proceeded to its end. There had never
been SO sweet, so gentle, yet 50 passionate
Camille. The loving woman who had
sacrificed her life for her lover was dying.
There was little sign OF regret; there was
no effort TO harrow up the feelings OF the
silent audience; there was simply mar
velous holding up the mirror TO Nature
the sinking away OF hopeful and not
unhappy girl.
81 cannot be In danger says mar,
guerite, pa.hetically, "for CASTOR would
not have the courage TO laugh at my bed :
side; the doctor would not leave me
alone.'
Then followed that exquisite bit of
silent acting before the mirror; the little
cry as she totters toward her bed, the
heroic effort TO keep up; the creeping.
fsxl fnor nf Ghn0dRr1nU
glance at the door, as II she saw his
ghastly presence entering; and the brave
struggle not to faint not to die until her
beloved had come back to her from the
ends OF the earth.
She falls at last gasping across the bed (;
Nanine enters and announces the approach IA
of Armand. Ii gives her momentary
rush of Joy and strength. She sits up.
"Give me my medicine, the brandy,
Nanine! Quickl"
"Now, follow me!'' cried the Inspector.
And ne darted to the scene door "Don't
you see," he cried hoarsely. "She is
going TO actually kill herself. You know
the play, go on, you, as Armand; seize
the bottle of medicine Be qaiekEFAe
audience will not notice the imposition.
Hurry, it may be too iate!"
Detective Davids, known as the "sleuth
hound" OF the New York police force,
actually placed his hands on Burnett 8
phouioSiS anu P"Sheu h"i o""N 'he
stage.
You can't mean that II really go on
as Armand?"
.Do you wish to see her die? l tell
you, it's what she will do. She will make
. dramatic end; it's my theory of the
case,' cried Davids, excitedly.
Burnett looked at him aghast. But
there was no time to question or argue.
With bis head in whirl of confusion and
excitement, partly caused by the tfUw hr
received In falling from the cab on Broad
way, partly by the earnest and baleful
words of the detective, Burnett sprang
upon the stage, madly shouting,
''Don't die Marguerite! for my sake, for
my sake!n
His acting was certainly very realistic
aud vivid. A round of applause burst
from the gallery. Many in the audience
believed 1t was the true Armand (Mr.
Wickersham) returned from his long
journey" and having the traces OF his
duel with NJ De Varviile on his pale face,
the ordeal he had undergone accounting
for the change in his general appearance.
He was much more dashing, much
handsomer Armand than Mr.. Wicker
sham. His fervency in throwing himself
upon his knees behind Marguerite's bed
stirred the gallery gods profoundly.
As for poor Marguerite, she was clever
enough to keep her wits about her. She
believed that Burnett had suddenly gone
crazy, but her quick actress sense told
her that TO most of the audience the in
congruity OF the entrance of Armand in a
dress suit, a splashed and muddy shirt
bosom and light overcoat, without hat,
was not noticed. She whispered TO the
maid, Nanine, quickly, keep MIR. Wick
ersham on, and, with stage cough,