The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-07-14
"But would you marry me. eveny"

Eds face flushed and his eyes spark
led. Haven't | shown that wouldy"
he demanded between his teeth Don't
make game of me, Vera, unless you mean
to be kind afterwardv'
She stood looking at him. her head
little bent to the left, her arms hanging
down on both sides of her graceful fig
ure. II mean to be kind to you. my
dear" she said finally in low tone;
"more kind than you would think if you
knew what have sometimes been in my
life"
ED, am so glad" whispered Bea.
trix to him in the little pause that fol
lowed. but the whisper was tremulous,
for sense of her own forlorness must
needs insinuate itself. You won't for
get me. will you?-because love you
too" she added.
But Ed. who was familiar with the ex-
pressions on Mnrana's face. wore an
anxious contraction on his forehead; he
drew in his lips and held his breath.
81 had given mp expecting love when
| met you" she continued her bosom
visibly rising and falling. - am not
going TO spoil it, now thi.t it has come.
For that, also, You may partly thank
your sister. She has made me feel that
1t is good to le generous. You have
meier known me. | showed you only
the best: ii was true. but it WIS not ALL
ii ! were your wife you would have TO
know all. should not mind for myself,
but should not like You to learn that
love is less llTyly than il seems now-at
least not from me Yesterday ypu might
have married Inc. but today--no! My
memory win hr pluasantcr to you than |
should b. after while. We viii say
gool-by." She PVT ont her left hand to-
ward him aud smiled "Good-by!"
He covered his eye, win the back of
his hand. II caA'J bear ~ he said in
broken voice.
M2raaa's ir5crutable face quivcred for
G. mon ut; Ghc seemed TO wayer; she
swayed slightly toward him ~ she stood Z;
her lips Isrted and her cycs shone. But
then. with n deep breath, she r2sliucd
her self com. md. She looked at lr.
atrix, as much us 20 say, "You must
comfort him." Then size turned, with n
sweep of her black dr;-', moved 20 the
door and opened it, D2llinghain and
Wallic Dinsmorc were just approaching
you are late, mcssicEi5." exclaimed
Mariana in gay tone # have been Of.
fering my homarc!'
Wallie looked from one to the other Of
the three, quietly observaut. Ed, with
his face avertcd, was putting on his over
coat and hat: he then pulled the brin OF
the latter over his eyes and went hastily
ont. looking neither to the right nor left,
Beatrix with one hand resting on tho
marble dressing table, and her eyes wiJc
open. stood in "A sort of trance. She had
not yet seen Bellingham Wallie offered
Mariana his arm.
"Since you IRE going. diva" he said
'permit me to escort you. You misun'
derstoOd me yesterday morning. What
ever homage have 10 offer shall bc paid
to you"
Bellingham, thus abandoned to his
own guidance, strobe up to Beatrix, whC
uttered "a cry; it seemed to her rs if Il,
had suddenly started up ont of the floor
1t had been his purpose to make IA fina
appeal to her, and no doubt his word
would have been eloquent and moving
and possibly they might have gainct
him his object, though he would have
had to contend against the incoinpre
hensible doubts. hesitations, pervcrsit,
and pride of ii woman who loves, ant
knows that she is loved. and yet draw
back for the sake of somethmg-heavcl
knows what. But, as it happened, not
syllable of Beiingham's appeal was eve
uttered, for before he could open hi
lips to begin the bell rang which con
[ veyed the order for the curtain TO rise c;
the last act. SO he, perceiving that tier
was no time to lose, simply caught BeG
trix in his arms, met her eyes for m
instant, and kissed her. After that /
| was too late for her to draw back, eve,
had she wished to. She went TO TAX,
her part on the stage, but she left ;
marguerite in Bellingham's hand.
Such is the private history of thS
memorable last night. the other detail,
(which have been sufficiently described
IN the Journals of the period Mrs. Pc
tiers is understood to have sailed fol
| Europe day or two later. Jocelyn dis
appeared, leaving unsavory traces he
hind him. Mr.. Randolph, senior, re
turned to his place up the Hudson. where
he is occasionally visited by his married
daughter. Ed entered the Office of tn,
latter's husband in the capacity of clerk
and is doing well. AS for Mile. Mariana,
the famous prima donna, she has van,
ished rs utterly as if she had never had
any existence.
There are two or three persons in New
York who are believed to know some.
thing about her; there are perhaps II
dozen who know enough to look wise
when the matter is broached in their
presence; there are hundred or two
who have heard u report to the effect
that there were some facts connected
with her engagement in this city which
have never been fully explained, but the
great mass of the public have never been
at the pains to entertain any misgivings
on the subject, They content them
selves with looking forward to the time
when that most faithful and enter
. ya.aat s.f ~ 4 n