Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-11-19
CHAPTER XII.

csded silk, with cascades Of lace falling
from her throat to her feet, and her dark,
hair was piled up on her head In mass
i've coil. She looked very charming with
her dreamy eyes fixed musingly on the
Ore; she was thinking of the dead cousin
In whose place she stood; his memory had
always q singular fascinati for her, and,
although her uncle never spoke Of him to
her, she and Mrs. Fairfax often spoke
Of him, and Barbara had thought Of him
often.
"Where Is Lady RoseT' Lord Keith
asked. coming back from replacing his
cup on the silver tray. "What has be.
come Of herr
"She 10 interviewing stage manager"
Barbara replied, arousing herself with
little start and smiling.
"A stage managery" echoed Lady Nor.
re. "WhyY
Lady Rose has one ambition" Mr..
Bentley said, coming up to the hearth and
leaning over his wife's chair. "She wishes
% be known as the best actress In Eng.
land OF the boards. Fortunately for her.
eeff, her wealth Is almost unlimited; IN.
fortunately she Ii free to spend II ~ she
Mixes. She has had theater built at Oar
ley Hall, and now she IL busy preparing
for the theatricals she ID going to have.
Miss Hatton, you are the jeune premiere.
are you notT'
Il really don't know. I have promised
% take q part In the play; but l have no
Intention Of taking a prominent one,"
Barbara rejoined negligently, a. she went
back to the low plush.covered chair On
which she had been sitting.
"What 10 the play to bel" asked Lady
Meefis.
"Oh, that Is not yet arranged" replied
NJ. Bentley, "unless Lady Rose and the
stage manager whom she 10 interviewing
have decided just now"
"Poor Lady Rosev' Mrs. Bentley said,
smiling and struggling her shapely shout
defs. "Her difficulties have been mani.
fold, and some Of them apparently insur-
mountable."
"How IL thatr Sir John asked, with
touch Of cynicism. "Money surmounts all
difficulties"
"Ah, but this 10 one which even money
cannot surmouut" said Mrs. Bentley
merrily.
"What 10 itT'
THE want Of men," said Mrs. Bentley,
solemnly. "T'hcy can't or won't act. Il
% no laughing NATTER" she added gayly,
with . pretty imitation Of Lady Roses
plaintive manner. 1.-THE extraordinary
lack Of histrionic power among the men
Of our world Ii lamcntable!'
''Surely Lord Keith will actr' Blanche
Herrick put In at this juncture; she had
been slipping her tea and listening to the
conversation with her eyes fixed on the
Ere. Barbara, your influence must be
paramount just now; exercise It on Lady
Roses behalf"
"Unfortunately can ali only one role,
Miss Herrick." said Lord Keith, coolly,
SlAncing over at her.
perhaps the hero Of the 6re the other
night might be induced to give bis assist.
ance," suggested Mrs. Bentley.
"Perhaps he might" Blanche said,
quietly. Barbara, IL your influence over
him paramount"
Barbara raised her long dark lashes hu-
suidly.
''Over whomf' she asked negligently.
"Mr. Robson--that was bis name, I
think" Blanche answered. He must
have quite recovered from the injuries
which prevented him from acting the 9th.
er night. Have you heard how he 10,
Barbara"
mo" replied Barbara. "Uncle Norman
sent to inquire, I believe; but did not
ask what reply the messenger brought"
II called; but Mr.. Robson was not well
enough to see me-" Lord Keith observed.
II fear he was somewhat severely hurt.
which ] cannot help resretting, 40 l
should have liked to shake hands with
him."
"You may have that pleasure when he
10 better" put In Lady Morris, looking
approvingly at the young man.
"But he has left StOurton," interposed
Mr.. Bentley.
"Ahv' exclaimed Barbara, leaning for.
ward eagerly, forgetful for moment OF
everything save her interest In the cues.
ton and the answer. HAS he left Btour.
tonY'
Eyes; the company left yesterday, I
understand. Well, II II no loss to Etour.
ton; but for that very handsome man who
played Beauseant In The Lady Of Lyons,
the performance the other evening would
have been failure" remarked Mr.. Bent
ley.
1T was a poor entertainment" Lord
Keith said carelessly. but the house
was FULL 10 the beneiiciare must have
been satisfied. Barbara" he added. his
his eyes growing very tender as they rest.
ed on her beautiful, eager face.
"And Barbara must have felt quite
royal" Blanche Herrick put In, with a
smile. "She was the cynosure Of all eyes,
She ought 10 have bowed"
Nonsense, Blanchew said Barbara,
aughingly, but with q quick contraction
Of the brow.
1T Is true" Blanche rejoined. '"rhere
was one man In the stalls who never took
his eyes on you. ! noticed him particu-
larly."
"How aattering for hint" Mrv. Bent
ley remarked, screwing up her pretty dark
eyes ~ she looked over ut Blanche, who
was tbShs with the aoss silks OF her
work.
"IIe wac pale and worn looking, but
with eyes just like those In Lady Els
dale's portrait, the first Lady Elsdale.
. mean"
A sudden CLEAN Of recognition flashed
Into Barbara's dark eyes.
"Ah, that 10 whom he 10 likew she said,
involuptariiy; then, as her guests glanced
ct her In surprise. she grew very pale.
"You did not notice him, them Miss
Herrick said slowly, raising her eyes from
tho tangle Of silks upon her knee, and
looking significantly at Barbara. "Why.
how pale you are. Barbara! Was II an
old admirer who has followed you from
BslsnvaT
Before Barbara could au,wer, her In