Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-08-13

Continued.

less. She had seen good actors in
their strongest characters, but she
had seen nothing more terrible Than
this Dream of Eugene Aram,' as
recited in the village schoolroom.
Every now and then a thrill of
horror shot through her; then as the
guilty man told of the remorse that
haunted him as he stood amongst
the school-children, all so pure and
innocent, and tried, unavailingly, to
Join in their evening prayers and
hymns, she let the tears rise to her
eyes, and a big lump grow in her
throat.
The effect was awful, and when,
in his ordinary tone, the reciter
wound up with the lines which record
the arrest of the guilty usher, she
sank back with a sigh OF pity and re-
lief. For a moment or two the
audience stared at the reciter, at A1is
stranger with the handsome face and
sad, dark eyes, in awful silence; then
Lord Garfield broke the spell by "a
vigorous cIapping of hands, and
amidst a storm of applause Mr.. Far
adeane, with a faint smile, stepped
quietly and slowly from the plat
form.
AS he did so he glanced-was ii by
acknowledgements olivia.
She met his glance for a moment,
then lowered her eyes, and turned
to speak to the vicar, who, worthy
man, was sitting with his hands
clasped on his knees, and his eyes
and mouth wide open.
MY dear Miss Vanley," he gasped,
what an exciting recitation Il
don't think I ever heard anything
more-more terrible. Mr.. Fara-
Gen-"
Faradeane," said olivia.
Z beg your pardon-Faradeane-
a most accomplished actor, most ac-
complished.
"Oh, thank you so much, so very
much" murmured Aunt Amelia, jerk
ing her feathers at Faradeane. cit
was wonderful, perfectly wonderful.
I was never so Mortified in my life!
Why, it has made our poor little en-
tertainment quite distinguished!
How could you do it?"
1T is not very difficult" said Mr..
Faradeane, with a smile. you are
all too good-natured, Miss Vanley,"
and he sank into his corner and was
hidden from the curious and awe
struck gaze of the audience.
The entertainment proceeded; but
after the event of the evening the
part-songs and duets fell fiat, and
the big audience dispersed, thinking
and talking of nothing but 1.-THE
Dream of Eugene Aram" and the
strange gentleman who had made
them shudder and turn pale.
AS the Grange party left the room
Lord Garfield came up.
Where is your friend Mr.. Fara-
deane. Bertie?" he asked. Il wish
you would introduce me. never
heard Hoods poem better done"
BERTHE, who had olivia on his arm,
looked round and beckoned 10 Fara-
deane.
My father" he said He wants
to know you, Faradeane."
Mr.. Faradeane came forward and
bowed.
The old earl looked at him with a
rather puzzled expression.
Haven't l seen you before, Mr..
Faradeane?' he said.
Mr.. Faradeane looked him steadi-
ly in the face.
4 think not, Lord Garfield" he
said
No. That's strange had a
fancy that we had met before this.
Allow me to thank you for an intel
lectual treat. Your recital of
Eugene Aram' was remarkably good;
remarkably good. l never heard it
better done, never"
Mr.. Faradeane smiled.
There are hundreds of people who
could do it better, Lord Garfield
4 daresay," said his lordship; but
/ have never heard them. 1t made
me shudder; but that is the effect
you wanted to produce, no doubt.
What amazes me, though, is how a
man who hasn't committed a murder
- hOAA l. suppose lLelC you nav g MI
Faradeane?" Faradeane smiled
strangely. What astonishes me is
how a mans who hasn't slain a fell
low-creature could portray the feel
ings of the criminal so closely as
you have done"
1T is all trickery, Lord Garfield"
said Faradeane.
ooh. of course" said BARLEY Brad
stone, who was standing near, and
listening with a moody bitterness.
He had been watching Olivia during
the whole of the recital, and had re-
marked with furious jealousy the eff
feet produced on her. It's just a
knack,' he said.
Lord Garfield turned to him with
that slow. calm regard which al
ways drove aBrtley Bradstone half
mad.
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