Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-02-23
A LITTLE COMEDY
THAT ENDED WELL

i'm honor of the annual benefit of Nplla
Ward, the reigning idol of the town, the
daintest laughing blond that ever grac-
ed the boards. The boxes rmned flowers,
and enthusiasm was at its height Dur
ing temporary lull in the performance
Robert Winthrop found his way behind
the scenes and secured fleeing tete-a-
tetc with the heroine of the hour. The
girl was flushed and radiant, her rare
loneliness heightened by the unwontcd
excitement of the occasion, yet there was
a moody flash in his eye as he regarded
her
Nell, was the promise you made me
one day myth or an honest pledge for
the future? On such night as this |
doubt and wonder was | dreaming"
Robert Winthrop for an in
slant the laughing blue eyes lightened
with anger-"do you bcgrudge me my lit
tie hour of triumph? | have earned it,
believe me, and what is more fleeing than
fame such as this? Or is it a simple at
tack of jcalousy?'
Nell, | am in earnest Matters are
coming TO Il climax at home and it is on
ly question of time when | break loose
from family authority. Though | forfeit
a fortune, | will be my own master, and
for your d~ar sake what sacrifice would
not make? But first of all l must know
your mind
"lou may know it and welcome" and
she turned on him in a spirited fashion
"Once for all do not come to open rup-
ture with your people on my account.
will enter no home unwecomed."
And your promise?" bitterly. "Ah,
Nell, ! might have known the end of it
all-dreams and decisions"
Il did not promise to marry you under
the rose, and on no account will l en-
broil you with your family"
Yet you have led me on from day to
day with fair smiles and fairer promises"
Rob. Rob'-and she laid her little
hand on his arm an instant-"are you
seeking a quarrel with me tonight, when
/ am so happy? Wait, wait and time
will untangle the coil. Summer is COM
iuc. Go on yachting trip with some
friends and forget it ALL
Forget" impetuously. "Nell, you
have never known love if you could sug-
gc>t such thing"
"No?' and Il strange smile fitted across
her fowerlike face; then at a burst of
music from the orchestra she pushed him
from her and ran on to the stage with Il
laughing goodnight" and moment lat
greeted her entrance.
But his box remained vacant the rest
of the evening.
1t was the lovelest hour of the "a, the
meeting of sunset and moonrise. The
lapsing tide still glowed and palpitated
with rose and violet tints, while the
young moon, like a drawn scimitcr
cleaned bright above the shimmering
sea. Mrs. Winthrop sat or the balcony
of her summer villa and watched the
chain of lights kindling along the dark
ened coast and then turned with sigh to
her girlish companion.
Dear madam, what troubles yOu?"
"Lucie, | was thinking of Robert, my
son. When will he come back to me
again? Two months he has been sailing
about in his yacht, with never a word or
sign. We parted in anger, but ! will not
permit the boy to wreck his life while
any show of authority is left TO me.
Strange child, how l have given my
confidence since first you came to me this
summer but my heart was full, and you
are sympathetic beyond any one | have
ever known. Luce will he ever outlive
this mad infatuation? | know well that
opposition is perilous element in love
affair, but | could not countenance mis-
take of that sort. An actress"-in ac'
cents of horror. Conceive of it, my
dear. Never has a Winthrop so far de.
Ecended in the social scale"
Have you ever seen the girlY falter
ingly.
"Never. do not frequent theaters
Robert has strange bohemian tastes, ant
they have led him into dangerous ways
No doubt she is a siren, as they all are
Dear madam. you should not condemn
the poor girl unheard. She probably
plays for livelihood. We cannot all be-
born to the purple of idleness."
"Lucie, you mistake. 1t is not that
Were she merely poor as you, my child
should not feel the same, but an ac
tress"-
AN actress may have a heart"
"Lucie," with emphasis, 81 trust not
There lies my hope, and confess it
Marriage with Winthrop must prove {
temptation to a girl of that class, bu
when once she realizes that it means pov
erty and social ostracism she will throw
him over without pang. Better few
months of heartbreak for the poor bo!
than the mistake of a lifetime"
Silence reigned for a few moments
then hurrying footsteps came up thu
stairs on to the balcony. Mrs. Winthrop
sprang up, crying, My son" Lucie slip
ped from the hammock with startled
air, and for a space all was confusion
Roberts moody restlessness of the pas
year seemed to have slipped from him
and his mothers heart beat high witt
hope when he announced his intention o
staying at the villa the remainder of tn
season.
At the earliest opportunity Lucie ha,
passed into the house, leaving mOthe
and son alone. But later on, when Mrs
Winthrop had retired for the night, sh
stepped out for a moment in search of
missing shawl, caught the glow of cigi
in the dusk, hesitated and then yielde
to the situation.
"Nell, what comedy is this you al
playing here in my house? What does
all meanY
FLUSH, Robert" beseechingly. "Yt
will betray all"
81 will indeed. Where have you bee
hiding away all summer? | sought Il
you vainly at the close Of the season."
Robert, l have been here IN yol
home for the last two months-yo'
mothers companion"
"a companion-youw scornfully. "Wh
would the world say? 1t shall not la
another day."
Rob, Rob-" and she put out an implo
ing hand, promise me that you will ke'
NawwFa