The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1904-03-25


by the Inflated Romeo. the subtle art Of
the actor. or the man himself. who stood
behind it all? Sweeter homage the art
list had never known.
So the brief season waNed and wared
and hurried to its close: spring bios
somed about the little city by the sea
| put, caught in the current OF an over
mastering desire, he heeGs nothing and
lives for the hour, for the night. when
Ike star in the heavens she rises be-
fore his longing sight
He no longer taxes himself with the
folly, the madness. the indulgence of
hopeless passion, romance that must
ever remain unfinished. He deems her
a divinity worthy his worship. beauti-
| full dream that has been revealed to him
Tor feeting moment in his meteoric
career. He can love as Ruy Bias loved.
with tenderness, exaltation. and a deli
cate homage that asks no return. and
dies happy so that it be in her cause.
But one night change came DER the
spirit of his dream during the second
act stranger, a man of fine command
ing presence. enters the box. and seats
himself beside her, with an air of calm
possessiveness which at once attracts
his attention; the girl turns smilingly
and gives her hand, allows herself to be
diverted from the play for moment.
The blood burns hot in his veins.
wave of jealousy surges over him: he
is not so distinterested after all. his ex-
allied sentiment receives sudden check.
He watches him covertly all the even
ing, the affectonate familiarity of his
manner, his exasperating air of owner
ship, or so il seems to his excited senses
Who is this man, by what right does he
usurp her attention when il should be
centered on the play; he resents his
presence with all lovers inconsequent
passion, yet what claim has he upon her
thoughts. her sentiments, her favor?
Once he meets the eye of the stranger.
fiercely, haughtily questioningly and
a puzzled look fits over the face of the
man; then he turns TO his companion
and laughingly whispers in her ear The
actor, stung by passion he cannot con-
troll. gives it free rein, and for the time
he is scarce master Of himself: but to
the listening audience there is no token
that play within a play a real be-
meath mimic passion, are being enact
ed on the lighted stage; he outdoes him
self, so they say
He has not the smallest right TO more
than her passing interest. such enthusi-
assn as all may show the artist. he tells
himself with unsparing scorn; vet this
he knows. though another may aspire
TO her hand, win her heart. for many
weeks she has obeyed his slightest bid
ding-he has known her as none other
could hope to do.
She has laughed at his witty sallies,
wept at his mimic woes. thrilled at his
romance and daring adventure; re-
vealed to him her maiden heart in all
its warmth, purity and Inconsistencies.
To her it has not been a II ere play. as
TO SO many others; a passing pleasure,
lightly won. easily forgotten it has
been the awakenirs of Ter whole ma
ture.
He may never enter her life, claim her
affections; like a bird of passage he
came. and as one he must 90, it is his
fate; but they have lived these last
thrilling memorable weeks together,
and ii is his, hand. not another's, that
has knocked insistently al the portals
of her heart She is his by the sacred
right of discovery, and opportunity
given he could win and hold her against
the world
So the last night came and the COM
pany took its farewell of the now famil
lar audience in a stirring performance
of Camille" that haekneyed play which
has wrung the hearts of sympathetic
womankind since its initial night.
Surrounded by bevy of youthful
companions Stirling watches her for the
last time as he believes; and wonders
if a pang of regret turks beneath her
pleasure for the enchanted nights that
are now no more; the nameless romance
drawing to its close.
None could tell how il happened, it
seemed but the work of moment; the
fiery Armand in a burst of passion had
flung his gold al the feet of the fainting
I
smoke, a watt of flame from behind the
scenes, a terrible cry from the audi
euce. and then-panic.
In vain Armand sought 10 reassure
them by his own calm courage. held out
his hands in mute appeal, for the dan
ger was less from fire than flight; but
for a few breathless moments terror
reiened supreme.
lie turned instinctively to the stage
box. from which the girls had fed at
the first alarm, like frightened par
tridees: she stood alone and erect, but
pale and trembling. as one who awaits
certain doom He sprang to her side
holding out his arms. Come said
simply: and catching up the slender bur
ftu bore her through devious ways and
hack passages, out into the open air.
Strange to relate the accident proved
less disastrous than al first feared, and
~ G~o rom pf1V CrQi1pd restored calm