The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-24


hearts,
But think, Ruth" the doctor began,
In some excitement.
Hush" she said softly, don't speak so
loudly, dear, there are other dodgers in
Tie house-in the rooms opposite this"
u beg your pardon" the young doctor
=lI biting his lip, annoyed with himself
,'s betraying his feelings; Il will speak
lower. But Ruth, do you think 1t is quite
the thing?"
Certainly do" answered the girl, lift
ing the lids of her sweet hazel eyes IN
slight establishment; certainly 1 do, or
I should not do it. I am afraid. Frank,
that you have got your ideas Of the stage
from the writings of those people who,
never having been behind the scenes IN
their lives, devote their talents to the
description of theatrical things. The char
acters in their stories are either impossi-
bly, and sickeningly good, or utterly and
irredeemably bad. Good and evil are
found outside the stage door as we'll as in
side it; and 1 think the stage as a means
OF livelihood is beset with no more dan
gers for girl than any other money
earning occupation"
I'm sure the profession should be much
obliged to YOU for your generous cnam-
pi5nship," laughed Frank. mo doubt the
iheater is the abode of ali that is beautiful
true and pure"
zig is very serious matter to me-"
And me-
yes, and you. for what concerns one
should concern both. I have thought the
matter over seriously, Frank, and 1 think
] should not only be wrong, but very
nearly wicked, if 1 refused old Mr.. Turf
mans offer. You~know 1 can sing WELL
and that can dance; also that / have had
lot Of stage experience in charitable
performances. You wouldn't dislike the
operate stage, ana ! see no opJecuon 70
my playing principal boy in the Brfield
pantomime this year. Besides, what else
" Marry me at once" replied Frank
dOggedly, though an eager light leapt into
mis- grey eyes as he spoke.
THAT would be foolish" returned the
girl, gravely. You have only just be
gun to practice. You have your way to
make in the world. You must not be bur-
dened with penniless wife at the out
rather heavily.
Il don't care about your being penni-
less" cried Frank, impetuously. We've
been engaged ever since We We're chill
dren, almost, and 1 want you. 1 tell you
again. 1 don't care"
But I do, DEAR" said Ruth, gently,
crossing over to his side, and laying a
caressing hand on his arm. Il love you
100 well to let you ruin your life by
hasty step. And yod should not make
my duty harder to do. L have no one
10 guide me, save you, dear"
Ruth spoke truth. and DR.. Eden knew
It. Her father. who had been music
teacher at Birtield grammar school, had
died suddenly year ago, leaving her
penniess and an orphan
Think how much better 1t will be for
both of US If we wait little,' the girl
pleaded. You will save money, so shall
!, and in year or two's time I shall
bring you something that Will form the
nucleus of the fortune your skill will
make for us. l am lucky to get six pounds
week to start with. Kenyon, the agent,
a N & I'M Frn for NV
local reputation as for my talent"
y es, that 1t, grumbled the eXacting
lover. That's what l hate about the
whole thing. Every awful little cad in
the city will pay his money to see Ruth
Which ought to make you proud, sirp'
But Will you stick to your own name,
Ruth?' said Frank, suddenly.
81 course: l am not ashamed of it!'
very well" growled Frank, rather
family though, for his arm had left the
the mantelpiece for Ruths enticing little
'aist; very well, little woman, 1 sup
iOse what you propose is all for the best.
N'hen do you start rehearsals? To-mor-
oW morning? Ah, well, you ought to be
eady by Christmas eve, then. 1 sup
)ose"-making a last effort-'I suppose
your mind quite made up|'
quite"
Then that's settled-only I shall keep
an eye on you, as the policemen say /
shall get old Tuffman to let me become
honorary doctor to the theater. He'll do
anything, if it cost nothing"
7omething in his tone made the girl raise
er face and say earnestly:
Cant you trust me, FRANKIE
Looking down into the clear blue eyes,
Which met his own so steadfastly and
lovingly, Frank Eden felt he could trust
their beautiful owner with his life; and
Tor :, answer, he pressed his lips tenderly
to the sweet ones uplifted to his own.
In due course, the pantomime was pro-
duced, and Ruth proved a great success,
winning her way into all hearts by her
INF an
proudly said to his stage manager: Ted
y, my lad, she's turned out gradely
speekilation-blood will tell, by gum!'
FRANK was highly delighted with his dar-
ing success, though he sometimes felt
a jealous twinge when he saw the pile of
bouquets, which crowded Ruth's little ia
Die after every performance.
silly boy" she would say, on such an
occasion, Just as though 1 cared for the
glvers-I love only the flowers. Besides,
90 not l send them to the hospital and the
them?"
And Frank would go off on his morning
round of visits with a light heart. But
all the flowers did not go to the hospital
ar infirmary; Ruth took some to her pert
lite neighbor, Kittie D alton, the cham
Dermald' of the company, for whom she
mad conceived a strong sisterly affection.
Kittie was good at heart, Ruth felt; but
she was motherless, and it wanted patience
as well as affection to make her discard
all the fastness of manner she affected in
he mistaken idea of making herself at
kldCIlNe. AS LOf hltLle, SLOWLY, vet sure
r., against her own knowledge even, she
as yielding to Ruths refining influence.
already she began to feel ashamed of
many vulgar tricks and unmaidenly ac-
tons she had hitherto thought great fun;
TO hesitate in accepting invitations to sup
per or parties, at which the giIded youth
of Birfield, anxious to initiate their Lon
don models, were to be present. But one
such supper, given when the pantomime
had been running a month, kittie was
persuaded to attend. Maude and Vivi-
enne were going, she was told; and Fame,
a burly vulgarly handsome baritone. who
though himself irresistible with women,
and who had cast covetous eyes on Miss
Fiennes from her first appearance in the
i lneater positively sWore that Ruth would
De present, although she had told the COM
il pany otherWise-she didn't want Frank
Eden to know, he said. So poor vain lit
ue kittie foolishly assented feeling a sort
o. wicked joy in having the opportunity
q finding Miss Prunes-and-Prism as she
l5d nick-named Ruth, in the early days
risy
On the night of the supper, which was
sven at the Sun, the principal hotel in
DIleld, Ruth babe goodnight to Frank,
taaF- nfaFrr 70