The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-05-12

the shadow OF passing clouds drifted
over him. and ever and anon golden
leaf detached itself from bough above
his head and floated wavering earth
ward But no one disturbed him. though
he lay there all the afternoon. sometimes
with his face buried on his arms. some
times supporting his head upon his hand.
He wondered what she had been doing
since they parted. Had she been laugh
ing over his discontinue and planning
fresh enterprises? II was not possible!
The sun went down and the shadows
of twilight rose. Bellingham looked
toward the east, and saw the disk of the
moon mount above the horizon until the
whole round sphere swung aloft. orange
against the violet background. The
evening was mild and still, but the
lethargy which had fallen upon Belling.
ham began to be dispclltd; he became
restless and anxious. He could no
longer stay where he was: he descended
the little hill. crossed over to the avenue,
aud Hill going northwestward came to
the bank of the Hudson. The bank was
high and steep; he clainbered down it,
wooden pier ,utting out into the water.
Upon the cr@ of this he sat down, and
the silent current swept and cddied past
his feet. The sound of clock striking
somewhere cnught his ear. This was the
hour for her to arrive mt the theatre. A
little while longer and she would be upon
the stage. Would she look toward his
seat, expecting to see him there? No, she
would never expect him again! Would
she miss him?
More than another hour passed away,
and Bellingham sat so still that one
might have fancied he was asleep. But
he was not asleep-he was thinking, and
now his thoughtswere becoming clearer
and more consecutive than they had
heretofore been. The moon had now
scared high aloft, and stood silvery
bright above the sliding reaches of the
river.
All ut once Bellingham sprang to his
feet. He pulled out his watch; there was
yet time. He began hurriedly to climb
the bank.
1t had been borne in upon him. he
knew not how, with sudden, over
whelming conviction, that she was not
guilty, but pure and true; that the mys-
| terry was an innocent one, that all would
| be well, il he could but see her and speak
to her. 1t was possible for him to reach
the theatre before she left it. but he
must use diligence. He was somewhat
faint from lack of nourishment during
the day, but he ran on until he came tc
a station of the elevated railway. He en-
tered u train and was off His heart wa.
light and hopeful.
The train halted Mt u station near the
rear of the theatre. AS he got out he
saw that the performance was over, and
the audience had dispersed. But she
would not have left yet. No; there wa,
her carriage waiting for her at the stage
door.
He ran down the iron staircase, but II,
he reached the bottom he stopped. Mile
Mariana came out of the stage door, lean
ing upon the arm of II man-of Mr.. Ran
dOlph Mrs. Bemax followed. but en-
tered the carriage first. Randolph mp
peared to exchanged few words with tn,
prima donna; then she turned and pu
her foot on the carriage step.
But, as if swayed by a sudden and in
controllable impulse, she turned agair
and threw her arms about Randolph
neck and kissed him again and again
Bellingham saw this, and then he face
about and mounted the iron stairs one;
more, while mocking voice in hi
heart seemed to ask care you satislie,
now
TO BE Continued