The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-22

together, Robert ana L. he mas to1o me
much of his checkered life since ne left
Oxford. He was naturally curious to
know why had left Arthur, but L did
not tell him anything more.
"Feb. He begs me to join this
company with which he is playing. II
they will only take me, I will do so
gladly. AT least, it will keep me near
Robert, and it cannot be harder tnan
the work by which gained miserable
pittance SO far. But ought I to take It:
Robert and Arthur might one day meet,
and Roberts hasty temper might lead
to violence.
ssFel. I'd am going with Robert to
Scotland tomorrow. He says there will
be no difficulty about my joining
ssFeb. Ill saw Mr.. Flannery, the
manager Of the company, today, and he
actually engaged me as '4aper, as
they call it. This is rare bit of luck
for me. shall always be with Robert
and shall be able to look after him.
Poor boy, he has never known sisters
love. I was only Il when he left Us.
ssFeb. 21.-I joined the company to-
day. My parts are very trivial, but do
my best in them, and perhaps in time
Mr.. Flannery may promote me. He
complimented me on my acting today,
but did not like the way he did it. 1
forgot to say have given my name as
Mary Western. Robert has for years
been known as Dick Lambert.
March ,4.-Robert and Mr.. Flan-
merry, who persists in worrying me with
his unwelcome attentions, had quarrel
this morning, and Robert has been dis
missed. So / have brought him nothing
but i'll luck after all. I would leave,
too, but I am just getting bigger sal
airy, and Robert thinks ] had better
stay. Beggars cannot be choosers-
"ApriI MY chance came last
night. We played This Lady Of Lyons. ,
Miss Hastings, our leading lady, was
ill, and I took her place as Pauline.
They all tell me was an immense sue
cess. Mr.. Flannery was unpleasantly
complimentary. I scarcely heard any
thing, but they say had an enthusi-
astic reception. I am to trymy hand at
juliet next week, which means very
hard work in the meantime.
april 16.-I was Juliet last night.
was horribly nervous at first, but that
strange Romeo, Mr.. Yandeleur, helped
NE through, and soon recovered my
self. believe Edid we'll At any rate I
have further increase in my salary,
and am now to take all Miss Hastings
parts. am sorry for her. ] am not
surprised at her drinking with all the
trouble she has.
April 20.-L have told Robert all
about Arthur. ! thought it better to do
SO. He was terribly angry with him for
his duplicity. dare not think OF what
viii happen should they ever meet.
May 2.-At last it has come. Arthur
has found out where am. I had hor-
rible letter frcm him this morning.
Luckily today is Saturday. Ishall leave
after the performance is over, and Rob
ert will follow on Monday. Where we
go care not, but surely we can escape
that men-my husband.
eMay AT Hinton, restful spot
| ON the Wye. They only have one room
at liberty at the inn, SO Robert will
have to sleep elsewhere. I am glad ne
is coming today. for there are lot of
people here.
esMay 12.-What a terrible day yes
terday was! AS We were crossing the
lawn Arthur met us. He had been to
Scotland and then tracked me here.
There was terrible scene. Arthur
! :shocght Robert was my lover. Robert
wanted to avenge my wrongs, and l had
to plead, beg and explain. At last they
grew calmer, and Robert said: I don't
grumble about your housebreaking pro-
pensities-you can go to the devil your
own way for all / care-but the score l
have to settle with you is that you de-
ceived my sister and ruined her for life.
Then Arthur spoke with all the artful-
ness and plausibility of the evil one.
Had a spark of affection for him reap
peared in my heart it would have died
out as he talked. Oh, the intolerable-
ness of the thought that ] am that man s
wife! Robert listened at first contemp-
suously, and then with attention, and
! my hesrrt sank as saw how readily be
fell prey to Arthur's sophistries His
moral weakness has been the cause OF
all his misfortunes Before the evening
was over he was quite friendly with
Arthur.
"May 14.-They have gone away to-
gether. / dare not imagine for what
purpose.
"May a7.-They returned today.
was SO thankful to see Robert safe again.
There has been robbery at the hail.
Robert said laughingly: My first ex-
perience. Anything for new sensa-
ton. Oh, it is too horrible! They are
going abroad in few days. I should
breathe freely when knew that Ar
thur, who now calls himself Archie
Dacre, was really out Of England. if
only he had not Robert in his clutches. .
Then the diary abruptly ceased. The