The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-04
A Comedy.

I
1t was a gala night at the little up
! town theater, and all Harvard had turned
out in honor of the annual benefit Of Mel
lie Ward, the reigning idol OF the town
the daintiest laughing blonde that ever
graced the boards The boxes rainef
flowers and enthusiasm was at its height
| During temporary lull in the perform.
ance Robert Winthrop found his way be
| mind the scenes and secured a feeting
tete-a-tete with the heroine of the hour
| The girl was flushed and radiant, hel
| rare loneliness heightened by the IN
wonted excitement of the occasion; YET
| there was a moody flash in his eye as hi
regarded her.
Nell, was the promise you made me
one day a myth or an honest pledge fol
the future? On such night as this
doubt and wonder was dreaming
Robert Winthrop''-and for an instant
| the laughing blue eyes lighted with anger
DO you begrudge me my little hour Of
| triumph? 1 have earned it. believe me
and what is more fleeing than fame such
as this? Or is it a simple attack of jeal-
ousy?"
Nell, am in earnest. Matters are
coming to a climax at nome, and it is
! only a question of time when l breaE
loose from family authority. Though
/ lOI1GlI d IOTLUHe, Will OC ny ONtA mas
| ter, and for your dear sake what sacri-
fee would l not make? But, first of all
1 must know your mind"
''You man know it and welcome" and
| she turned on him in spirited fashion
| Once for all, do not come to open rup-
! ture with your people on my account
will enter no home unwelcomed."
And your primes?'' bitterly. "Ah. Nell
I might have known the end of it all
| dreams and decisions.
| Il did not promise 20 marry you under
the rose, ana on no account will en-
| broil you with your family
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 for an instant. Are you
seeking a quarrel with me tonight. when
Z am so happy? Wait, wait-and time
| will untangle the coil. Summer is coming
go on Watching trip with some friends
| and forget it all"
"Forget''-impetuous 'fNell, you have
never known love if you could suggest
such thing.
Mop and a strange smile fitted across
her flower-like face, then a. burst of mu-
sic from the orchestra, she pushed him
from her and ran onto the stage, with
laughing goodnight" and a moment
greeted her entrance.
Mrs Winthrop sat on the balcony of her
summer villa and watched the chain of
lights kindling along the darkened coast,
and then turned with a sign to her girl
ish companion.
Dear madam, what troubles you?'
'Lucie, 1 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 I will
not permit the boy to wreck his life while
any show of authority is left me. y
Strange, child, how I have given you
my confidence since first you came to me
this summer, but my heart was full, and
you are sympathetic beyond any one l
had ever known. Lucie, will he ever out
live this mad infatuation. I know well
that opposition is a perilous element in a
love affair, but / could not countenance
mistake of that sort. An actress
in accents of horror-"conceive of it, my
dear; never has a Winthrop so far de-
scended in the social scale
Have you ever seen the grip falter-
ingly.
Never. do not frequent theatres.
Robert has strange Bohemian tastes, and
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 a livelihood We cannot all be born
to the purple of idleness"
'Lucie, you mistake; it is not that.
Were she merely poor as you. my child,
/ should not feel the same, but an ac-
tress-'
IAN actress may have heart
''Lucie,'' with emphasis; 81 trust not.
There lies my hope and 1 confess it,
Nell, what comedy is this you are
playing here in my house? What does it
all mean?'
Hush, Robert" beseechingly. You
will betray ALL
Il will, indeed; where have you been
hiding away all summer? 1 sought for
you vainIy at the close of THE season.
Robert nave been here in your home
for the east two months; your mother S
companion.
"a companfon-you''- What
would the world say? 1t shall not last
another day"
Rob, Rob- she put out an emp1oring
hand. Promise me that you will keep
silence for a time. I had a motive in
coming; don't ruin anil and place me in
the light of an impostor."
Nell l will make no promises, but I
shall remain on the spot the rest of the
summer, and act as seems to me right
and fitting to the OCCASION
One evening she sat at the piano sing
ing What a rare gift Of song" Mrs.
Winthrop murmured. Robert, my son,
could this be your choice. it would make
ny heart glad. You might search the
world over and fail TO find a lovelier ma
ture."
Mother and he caught her hand in
an eager clasp, you really mean it-you
consent?'
At that moment Nell stepped out on the
balcony Nell" he cried, with a joy
Gus ring in his voice. Mother has given
the consent dared not ask
"Ah. Robert. you have learned TO love
her then. thanks to the old lady's di-
plomacy.'
yes mother. nave loved her long and
deeply.
But as she leaned forward to kiss the
speeches. girl. Nell recoiled from her
embrace. NO, no-not yet, dear madam
First hear my confession and then con-
denim me if you will"
Your confession in bewilderrnent
In vain Robert laida protesting hand
On her arm. imploring her with glance
4 viii speak, I will; if I forfeit an by my
confession. Dear madam, near me; ] am
rot the modest loWly companion whom
YOU have known and loved al summer
am an impOstor. an innocent one. il may
be. but an impostor. all the same"
Hush. my child in a strange startled
tone. To me W nave been a faithful
friend: I care mining for the secrets of
your past"
Listen to me. dear madam" she rart-
ed. feeling her courage fast ab5inz away
IL am Nellie Ward-ths actress your
son honorode with MS love"