The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1901-08-23

John Cromptonv she exclaimed.
among you-and now-now have
conquered you ALL"
But even in that hour there was to
be something beside. AS she bowed
and smiled, speechless in her deep
emotion, slender tongue of flame
leaped from above in one of the wings,
and caught swaying gilded banneret.
And, in the next second, hoarse cries
of "Fire!" were here and there and
wild screams of terror. In breath the
woman was forgotten in the fear of
death.
The manager flew from her side to
the rear, commanding. half mad with
this sudden change of fortune. But the
fire leapt, like thing of life, from one
f1imsy ornament and drapery to an
other and the opening doors famed the
flames.
In that moment when the manager
left her alone, Milly Ellis stood sud
denly stripped of all she had held most
dear, stood alone and saw mad fight
for life begin. Where now was the
dashing tenor whose burning eyes had
so lately pursued her own? Where now
the tickle admirers of the past and
present? She stood alone and the fire
demon ran above her and dropped
down upon her gauze draperies, burn
ing gegaws which had glittered and
shone but moment before. She in
vited destruction, she stood alone.
In that desperate moment, deep
voice said:
Come with meat once!-'
A heavy wrapping, the curtain Of one
of the boxes, was twined about her.
She was fairly whirled off her feet by
the impetuosity of race across the
stage and a plunge and jump into the
orchestra box. Half dragged, half run
ming, the singer was urged on until she
stood in the alleyway back of the the
ater, and knew she was safe.
But it was dark and she heard the
rattle of the engines coming. Holding
to her rescuer's arm, they ran to
side street and at last sank down on
the stone steps Of church. AS they
lay there painting the very heavens lit
up. The theater was doomed.
In the lurid light Milly Ellis looked
at her rescuer. He was tall and broad
and she knew his strength. AS he sat
still, breathing heavily, memory strug-
gled within her to formulate name, a
remembrance. She leaned forward and
when the heavy drapery fell away, she
smelled the white lilacs.
John Crompton!" she exclaimed.
John Crompton! And you have saved
me?"
Everyone else deserted you," he
said, 80 1 came to you."
She deserved the words. Years be-
fore she had despised his friendship
and expostulations against her career.
"It was DEATH" she whispered fear
fully, "it was DEATH"
"a short enough triumph for you"
he said, more kindly "the triumph of a
few moments. Still, 1t may satisfy
you-your art may still be more to
you than friendship, love, and even
life"
But she caught his arm and cluug
to him.
after this? After l have learned
what art means-how cruel 1t is-how
art is nothing to life? o John. my
heart has been aching all day for the
old time when l could be happy"
For answer he wrapped the red dra-
perry about her and over her fallen
hair. f
"You are not so changed" he said.
There was a note Of tenderness in
his voice. .s
But you? What has come to you.
John? You are different"
81 am a man." he said, and as he
spoke the lurid light fell upon his
face, II am man now, and claim a
mans heritage. would share NO one
with art l must have all or nothing.
You know me OF old"
She knew him. He had mot ap-
preached her or written. her for years.
And you have waited all this timer"
II cared for no one else"
The immensity Of the feeling she
had long ago awakened struck u the
d.