The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-28

ously saw her return to her wildwood haunts and her lover. Then the audi ence rose in applause, and the hour of a great triumph had truly come ta Milly Ellis.
 Her heart swelIed when she went. with her jubilant manager, before the curtains She 1onged to cry out: T am little MfIly Ellis, who was born and brought up here. obscure enough among you-and now-now l have conquered you all!'
 But even in that hour there was to be something beside. As she bowed and smiled. speechless in her deep emo- tion. a slender tongue of flame leap ed from above in one of the wings. and caught a swaying gilded banneret. And. in the next second, hoarse cries of "Firey' 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 leaped like a thing of life from one fiimsy ornament and drapery to another and the opening door 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 a mad fight for life begin. Where now was the dashing tenor whose burning eyes had so lately pursued her own? Where now the flckle admirers of the past and present? She stood alone and the :lre demon ran above her and dropped down upon her gauge draperies, hurn- ing gegaws which had glittered and shone but a moment before. She tfi- vfted destructicn. she stood alone.
 In that desperate moment, a 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 a race across the stage and a plunge and Jump into the orchestra box. Half dragged, haf run ming, the singer was urged on until she stood in the a1leyway 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 a side street and at last sank down on the stone steps of a church. AS they lay there panting the very heavens lit up. The theatre was doomed. Tn the furfd light MiiIy Ellis looked at her regcuer. 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 smeIled tine white lilacs. John Crompton!" she exclaimed, ''John Crompton! And you have saved me?"
 Everyone else deserted you." he said, "so I came to you" She deserved the words. Years be- | fore she had despised his friendship and congratulations against her career, Tt was death." she whispered fear fully, 'it was death!" "A short enough triumph for you." he said, more kindly. "the triumph If a few moments. Still, it may satisfy youp-your art may still be more to you th.n friendship. love, and even
 But she caught his arm and ciuns | to him.
 After this? After I have learned what art means-how cruel 1t ;s-how art is nothing to life? O John. n y heart has been aching all day for the old time when could be happy"
 For answer he wrapped te rcd dra- pery about her and over her fallen hair.
 You are not so changed" he said.
 There was a note of tenderness in his voice.
 But you? What has come to yo1. John? YCu are different"
 T am a man." he said. and as he spoke tho lurid light fell upon hiS Face, T am a man now ,and I claim mans heritage. I would share no one with art must have all or nothing. You know me of old"
 She knew him. He had not ap- preached her or written her for years.
 And you have waited all this time?'
 "I cared for 10 one else"
 The imlnensity of the feeling che had long ago awakened struck at the door of her heart. She clutched at his | hand. She wet it with her etars.
 Tt was art or life,' she said, broken ly, and life won, John, life has won. !" NTED WOMAN by Sarah Rogers.