New York Clipper (Mar 1877)

^ PRANK QimSN. jEMltor and Proprietor. THE HALCYON TIME, vximn To« TH> m tom curru, ' BY EXAR rnooK. I«IUIUiliiii4rliim«rnTtlitthilcri>n llnir Whn Tratb nHill triumph ami lors i>h>JI relmi, wli»|lionHt •ndctTor iihall nerre hji a l«ver Tb nlM mukind ta i lonicr plino. WJionUw nobiM or unh •lull bow to iho wonh Of lustr roomeo, vhoM heAilJi tn vn», Ud Uioy who Inharit, not ipld, but mirh, Oun R>p nwwil ror tbu ilNdi Uitr do. non HI tliat bi lood ilull irow u It iliould, And BTll RhAll itMl awaj llk« a thl«r, And lofly doAlnt th« loul iliall luplro. Wbllo Ftllb ibill tUnr tht eloiubi of iirlol. KoolurUun UiaD. with millca towmm men, Hliill mougt u rtmo bjr tlio Udder nf rnuid: Kor tilrluttii ahallow, nor hrpucrim callow, B« able to caoao the world (o applaod. CobteaKd to work, dUdalnlax to uhlik. The worthy ahall labiir M u>jit (hey can, AdJ the mtrralouibeauty that llei In duty Shall dawn oo the doarvr tblon of maa. No prejndlca blind ahall waip the mlnO, Nor blxotry darken and narrnw Iho lonl: ThoawntneaaoriKlniiiUiallbe In fiinriTlni, And attain ahall Uie lame and the holt bo whole. In that Rood line which I ainit In my thyme No roKue ahall lire In Rliillnnoua esM; Nor the poor bo opnreaacd by lynorance, dreaaed Id the purple and Uaen ofCalFhailaecf. Not pompoua with pride, on the oppAalte aide. Shall the rich paaa deaho Charlly'a call; Nor the wounded and dylnjt be left to their alahllui. Per men ahall be turned to Samarluna all I And the aptrit of lore which cornea from ahoTO Hhall nilo with a power that all mar own; And Maydalen, pleadlnir, wllh hrula«d heart blc«]ln«, Shall find none ready to cut the al(4io! Thefu aoDir Tor the time when, aa rhythnte aa rhyme, _1 /Knmnu or human llfeaball Oow- boaulllul child; "oo, sho looks but Tory llUlo like hor mothor now, but t think 70U oni rlRht In tho bollot thnt jeatii will doopon tho roBom- blancc. Of that, I fanoy, thoro con be no doubt Hor flguro will dovolop, and, Itko that 01 your dead wlto, become ^' "Hatohlossl" Interrupted Spaofiler as he took tho miniature, kissed It tendurly, closod and put It In his bosom wltb a heavy sigh. Ah I tboso who saw him only In tho rlni— B«w him only whon ffrotcsquo with point ond JIobIIdk with bolls-who hoard his merry llbos and quiok-wlttcd rotorts-saw his broad grim- aces, neard bis ringing laughter—would Doror bsvo balloved how much 01 tho truth of man and tondemcss ot tathorhood woro hidden within his hoorL But tho world Judges only br tho "outivard seeming," and tho "poor player" olteo goes through his part onishod by pain and monlal mlseiy o( which they hnvo lIHIoldon, No matter huw much h» may 60 saf- forlng, must tjo amused, Out upon such a dioiuin I "Yes, tho chlld-llko flguro will brcomomoro ported than thnt ot any stntue, and Uio inind will keep pace with It, Does sho Inberll Iho talents of hor mother?" "Fully, I think;" and thonyos o[ Bpanglcr lilted from melancholy Into nrldo on thuv rest- ed upon his daughter. "Of her dancing you can Judge tor yourself." "Ulnguhirly gnicetul. More than thnt I cnn- notsay. And,nowshohaspausedInthoglddy whirl, I can see her taco mora porfccUr. It Is 8 pnro, candid one, but underneath slumbers I pssslon." "In that, at least, she Is like her mothor. It WheiihTSKiiSud"™™!;^^ Btvcotas 1 ilnM. Sbalt f 0(1 In ihe morelog'i roMai« |low I IRENEa TBI SLAVE OF THE RING AND THE STAGE wumit roR Tun niw roaa CLirrra, BY WILLUM U. BVSDSELL, itrrsoB or "laii Tmnnos," "nuamo ro» lotil ■ "u TiiiQtraDtooir," ■'oiuiDsoauwa," an., nc. CHAPTER I. THS Bram or thb siltbb ssoweb. "Homehow whenever I look at hor, I can't keep back the tears." " Who aro you talking about, Dlok?^ My sho Is, yet sometimes there Is almost tiger floroenees. Heaven guldo hor It anythUig hap- pens to mo—It I should bo suddenly taken Rwar." "tou aro toollahlT antlolpstlog trouble." "I can't help IL Buchlhonghts wlUcomo." "Then why do you not, and at once, placo her Is some school, where sho would be guarded as well ns educated?" "I have often thought ot so doing, but can- not bear tho separation. Bho Is passionately tend ol riding and tho oicltementot the ring, earns almost as much as I can, and whenerer I talk to her upon the subjeet the cunning lit- tle gipsy whoedlos me out ot my resolution with kisses and tears. A toot hence I shall t)e bettor able to do so, and sno more willing." The discussion continued tor somo time, and ended, as Is usual In such esses. In nothing. The girl was awUltul little beauty, already kaew the power ot woman's strongest weapon —tears—and was possessed ot firmness one would never have dreamed ot In one so wil- lowy In form. And yet tho prootlced oyo could have evon then dlscomsd that tho muscles were ot unoommon strength and elaatloltv— little that her training In tho ring was fast ripening girl, to ho them as woUOS her nsture-thata flety soul sure." burned within her bosom, and that before ony- W h u t '.s one—at least her fond tatnor—should bo aware wrong with I of the fact, she would be a woman. Tho trop- ical nature of the mother was In her soul, and such bloesoms burst Into full Sower while those ot a colder clime and more nortbom land are still lingering In the bud Under the guidance ot a mother's love and hor ?" "Nothing that I know ot; but I was thinking. If a n y t should pen to me, wbiU muld become ot har?' ."BflVwould find plenty ot friends. "Perhaps. It hor mother were only living. It would make a groat differonco," ^ I n g tsndomess sbe could. In all probability, have hap-1 been entirely weaned from hor tondnera for elttsr and snow and applause. But aho hod town them from her earliest yean—bad In- herited tho taste from both her parents, and, more oapcelolly since her soml-orphonuge, been permitted to follow the bent of ner Incll' "You ore In the dumps tO'dnv—often soom nation, Hor fathor, strong athloto though ho ■0 of late. What Is tho natter?'' might bo, wns but a ohjld in hor hands. Whon "I don't know j but I think ot my little girl be talked of hor future she laughod at hie more than I uaoa to do, and what would be foors. Whon ho sorrowed that she might be hor fate If I woro to be suddenly token away." loft nlono In tho world, a sense ot Joyous Inde- "Llttlo chance ot thuL You aro still a young penilonce flashed through her soul, even while mun, hole and hearty, and yourbuslnoss la not daogarous," "Not that of clown. But tossing cannon bulla Isn't child's pluy, and a very little thing might break my back or nook, and then Heaven keen my dear little Irene' she kiBsod tho cloud sway from his brotv. And whon, an hour nttor the oonvetsutlon with his friend, he eallod her to bim and talked to hor more seriously than over before ot her situa- tion, sho clung to blm tflth such passionate tsars that he was forcod to consent to hor re- ben why don't you give It up 7 I should, malning until tho end of the season at least— UI thought ot It OS you do,' now but a tew months. With the coming ot "Oh, It pays. That and tho clown's part to- Winter, however, he resolved to entirely Ether bring In a good round sum, and I want change hor manner ot life, no matter how lay by something tor old ago—or, rather, I much she might resist or demur. Want to get out ot the buslnoss Just as soon as Twilight shadows put an end to tho discus- I con. And I shall do so tho moment I have slon. Beth had to prepare tor the evening- enough money ahead, settle down In some both had their pert to play—ho In motley fltut, quiet llto, and educate my little girl. I can't then as an athlete and Juggler with cannon- bear to even think ot hor heUig brought up to balls that few could handle, and sho In gnuzo the ring." and spangles riding an act ot eombhiod grooe "You mtist have saved quite a snug sum al- and dsrlng. ready, tor you have novorfuoUshly squandered And It Irene had boon strikingly boantltul your pay, like most ot us." whoa wonting tho tinsel adornments of the "I did have something ahead, but I lost stage, she was a hundred-fold mora so when heavily whon that ouned savings-bank tolled. Art had lent Its aid and many lights flashed Never trust to ono ot them. If you know when down upon hor flushed taco and trlumph- rou ore well olT. Better bay gold and burv lighted eyes. Upon her bead, and conAnIng ~ -- " " •' her long, dewing hair, was a diadem brilliant with Jewols, Her shoulders rose whito above IL That would be safe anyway, even It It don t But, us I was saying, I lost bring Intoruet. hoavlly by tho bank, aad the sloknosa and the bodice ot bluo, Inood with gold; hor arms death of my poor wife swumpod the rest and wore bare; the short skirt, roaohlng aoareoly loft mo In debt. Thon It* was that I look up below the knee, was spanglod and fringed, and the cannon-ball business. You remember my mive to view tho limbs ol faultless mould, wlfo, dontyou?" wings, omftlly oonstnioted of silver rouzo, "No. If you will rofloet, you will eeo that ninkod with tiny specks ot Tormlllon, floatod would be Impossible. I dmn't Join the coin-1 trom her shouldors, and the dalntUy-sllpporod Auy tor somo months after she was butlod In fiict, I never saw her." "Poor Julio I She was a beautiful woman uid good—mueh too good tor me—and It si most broke my heart to lose hor. Oh I how veil I romembor her lost words: 'Take good feet might havo caused envy la the boarl of a OIndorolln. A sweet smile played about the red and mobile lips, and hor pure bosom rose end tell with pleosuro and eioltemont. She was Indeed tho luoarnatlon ot what tho bills eallod "The Bprlto ot the Bllvor Shower" ns she taru ot our little darlUig,' she aikld; 'don't dashod around the ting upon her swift slecd— bring hor up to your business; watoh over hor swilt as a spurred rsoer nesring tho goal, and kDAHi m^wwtnnt Vtiw C\t\A Klfwia wAhi h/tth t' I UaaIt aa nlnVift A nmiwanr oiinh na PmaAntlnn Svory momont. Hay Qod bless you both I Phun sho put hor thin arms around my nook uid kissed mo, and—and died. Poor Julia I" For a Uttlo time there was sUenoe, broken inly by suppressed sobs. Then, to call tho lereaved husband away trom bis grlof, tala riend qutAUonod U tho child was anything Ike the dead wlto, DIok Spongier conuollod block as night—a courser such as Proserpine might have ridden whon endoiivorlng to escape trom Pluto, Well might an ovortond fathor bo proud ot such a ohlld, Woll did sho deserve the thiin- dots ot applause that mode tho oanviks swell and vibtote almost as a tempest. It was more thaa an ordinary aot aho perfonned. It was CELEBRITIES OF THE AMERICAN STAGE.—No. I. MISS rA^rnrY Fob BioonAPiiicAL bkztoh DAVEPHPOllT. SEE "AUDSZIUKT AKNALS." lis emotion—the genuine sorrow ot a warmly- fire, pathos, pride, beauty and grace oomblned ovlng and true heart—wiped the touts trom —a true eoncopUon ot wnat tho mythologloal lis eyes, and answered la o low voloo:' Folrle Queen might have been—a mounted "No;they would never have been taken tor Tltanla speeding wllh outstrotohod wings to Dother and daughter, though I somotlmos | the ombraoo ot Oboron, who to her was lover bink yean will lessen tho dISbrenon, My . ,. . .^^ J as well OS kbig, . Fluahed with tho orowning plaudlls 01 the night—with her young heart pulsating with tho moat delicious approelotlon—with her young blood qulokonedoy the Intoxloating draughts ot fame that o generous public bad held so frooly to her lips, Irene left the ring. Tho buttcrSy that floats upon the sunbeams cares not for the honey the boo mov gather. However, there Is hor ploturs.ond I Anything that might follow would be (aineand ave told you enough. Look at thu girl, and uninteresting to nor. She was sotlafled, eur- eu con see wherein ther dUTor," leltod for tho time. Her lotensolr troploiU ThuoyoB ot his friend turned upon tho al- nature felt the need of reloiotlon and rost, and lost fairy figure, playfully dancing amid the she was glad to got beyond the reach of the tu- unbeams thot streamed In ot the window, as multuous llp-sorvlce ot tho orowd, to wnoin o Shu would tromplo thorn bonouth her poUto boautlful and suoeosstul octross Is a goddess nd flying loot It wob a vision ot ohild-love- to-doy, to bo torgotton lor a now snd froahor eor Julio had very block haUr and oyes, anu or complexion wns rather dork tluui light, he wos an Itollan-Fienoh womua, o dancer, nd the most grooefiil figure that over tripped pen a oorpet, Irene bos tho aamo tiny hands nd toot, and but I can't go on. It unmons >u, even to talk about It. I talrlv wonihlpod >y wife when living, and I can't do otherwise ow. ■" ■■ ' ■ ' ' laooon tho morrow—glad to shut her eors to Iho muslo ot the band, the ringing blast ot trumpet, and the heavy rolling ol tho drum. But sonroely had she reached her tempomry I home and tom oft her trappings ot olQn rcys ty, botoro tho nothor mlllsVono rolled ovor lior noes hu would novor forgot. What obiinges tlmo would produce It would ^vo boon very dlUlcult then to dotcrmlne. lie hud soarooly passed beyond tho mystcr- 'US line of chndhood—eould sourooly have Kin dlgnlUod as a girl, although hor yoars . ,™.v.- ~- —— —.... uat have numbered tittoen. Bho was net tall wUdly booting hoort-boloro tho glad opplauso r hor ago, but there was a promise ot being was changed for tho mournful funoral-noto, >-wiis the most lithe, light, fleille. Ilssomo the Bong tor tho sigh—before she know she <3iluro the oyo over rest«d upon. Iter Bkin was oa orphan—know for an InsUnt only, ana >s clear, tlntod with rose, nnd yet tho goldon then, with the despairing woU ol a broken unuljo of tho mother was nob entlroly lost, heart, fell senseless to the floor, It soltonod, and coming womanhood might — ■inn„»,i.„,-._..„..^-.„.. OHAPTEn U, L . TBI hbsi or tmai. „, , „ V -"-r ^' Tho premonition of the lather ol Irene had T onooks.and a thought darker than her nroron but too true. Tho heavy cannon-balls <r> could never deepen Into blaok. A deep (gd been his death. Tho sllpplnB ol bis test ^i-orown they might booome, soft when un- at aorltleal moment had oausod olmto miss nuoneed br passlon^-Bparkllng as butnlnjj Hjaeoustomod pol8e;tbo lion globehiid fallen ^onds when sho wsa ahiuaod, but at all n^n^tltal part, ^d hiB death hod boon inHl!P'^'''P8 "''"''•y'""''^'* " U"'"**^'rafaostlhstantahbouB. eu^.Pi the dead mother slumbered BlUl In Mo Unto btid bean given blm lor evon a sln- ,^°>»>dleh depths, to bo reproduoed In the gie thought ot his bSovod child. Be bad In' ^'^'o 'e*"^'"^' C?'?''''!.'"!' ^ .edueatlon , , .,JB04 loll hor behind In all her yoolhful and Mro. ■ •- —bytrtal.BB. tate might fpgaslonate beauty to the cold eharlly and trials "Sbh;!. ' anTwmptaUonsoI a wortd thnt might nppland 0 now,slender Hgnro goto promise ol ,hen InUie ring, but wojld shot their doors A^SS" Rl°'l2.<" borfeoUon whon flUed^outJ gainst hor, notbollovliig that Vanygood could ^npenpa.. The Cuming ot Ihe limbs and Mmoootof Naiaroth"-that ono ol herpro- th» .1 . .v- v.... .... IV . J oepoclallysex,oould be as pure ) tbemstilveB,' r time the poor girl lay helpless as , „.Ji 0 broken wing, a sprite tompeat- , , ,„ _„odi lond tho kind hearts that gathered |outn;is'ij''"""J« "owf.or oomPiAultortM Uniind nor stood doubling which would oon- F'>Mo5rn'S.?'''Kl^ » «»>» VW.tJ»« whlta-plumed ongel ol lUs or the I'H ° Jl"?i*'"9'»U0' 1 ebon oni of death. It wos a totrlblo struggle . wa.ii. '--' ahorleaMnnnn.itttArI , »>.»>iinh aaniMuasnMlUvaohdipontainoouB Long before she L flK. won Doruoir- „ ., , offtm' '*'J°f Ihroods df riofl oidtKir, tfiot,, |ona'n,!!i" i^^P't ol OhailsB Mason, alter 'i_io&o suoh as a less aoBslUve ohd ipontanoous I "««dooi9lui sotuUn7 0l tbt ranuuksbly I nAtuA) oould never know, ' was pronounced out ot danger, long bolero she could leave her bed, oould evon sit up, tho groon turf was piled above the form ol hor fatlier, and she wns left alone—lelt single- handed, with all hor youth and Ineiporlonce and marvelous beauty to flgbt tho dubious bat- tlo ot life. But OS violent fires burn out the soonest, oven so tho most vlolsntemotlons seem totiido tho swiftest when tho orlsls Is post Not that tbev ore entirely torgotton. For trom It. They burst out nt timos In all their pristine frosh- noss and unooutrollabloagony, and tbewound bloods again. Yet, In tho main, tho spirits ot suoh natures rlso above the Ills ot earth, no matter how sovoro, oud the fiery passions work thoir oirn euro as they domond new' oiolto- monts. In o measuro this was tho ooso with the bo- ronvod giri. The bow of hor soul bad been foortully bent, and .the strings ol the heart stmlnod most soveroly, but the recoil wosswUt nnd strong. Bho bod not as yet realised In all Its sad tullncss the loss sho had sustained— knownotthumlsorTof tho sltnatlon In whiob she wos plaoed. That oould only oomo with tlmo, with sorrow obastonod. Yet she was not permitted to sit down and mourn. Sordid souls woro ready to do bottle agolnst suoh a thing—to make morobandlBO evon of hersBIIo- tlon. Shamo bo upon them I Scarooly wus she able to lake bare ot her- self—scnrcoly hod the teaiB burned themselves dry—botoro ono como.wolklng In tho somblanoe ot manhood, but with tho heart ol grasping ovorleo, to lorco hor book Into tho publle gaze —loreo her by the exhibition ot her grooe and beauty to bring money to his ooffuts. A nan ot low birth and groveling Instlnets—ono al moat devoid ol humanity, ol all the floie^ feel Ings ol humanity,'but whoso, bnlte foroc bad filoood him In a position ot powers man cast n the mould ot on 01, laWfbrowed, strong limbed and handed, lOunning-eysd.iOLiiil,"who know that her recent sorrow would the mere advertise her, and be a "sure eard" to fill tho oonvns to overflowing. With very tew ot tbo oommonplnces that go so far to make up tho oourteslos of life, with little ot sympothy, ho plunged Into the busi- ness that had oausod him to Intrude Into bet proaenoo, "You've got quito well agoln," ho asBortCd, rather than askod. "Yea, Hr. Smith. I om recovering quite rap- idly," Ireno replied, glanolng swUIIy up at him from under tho long lashos, heavy with tcais. "Glad ot it. Borrow Is, ot course, natural and right, but It dont pay to Indulge In It too much. Wo have oil got to help ouraulvoa along In this world, I hod—everybody has. I was lolt olono when but a lltUe kip, ana vq fought my way up. Toull hove to do Ibo somo," "Do you moon In the ring?" she questioned, startloa more by the plolure be presented than the bluff manner ol doing It, "Certainly. What else can yen do?" "My dear lather Intended I should quit rid' Ing ond go to sohool. Now I shall do so," "All very flno to talk about, but how ore going to do Itt"' was asked wllh ^ snoor. "What Is' to proTont?" she questioned In re- turn; ' "Everything, /shonld say," . "I d6 not uodotBtond," "Well, then,' Whore la tbo money to borne trom? Buoh a thing costs. 'You oan't play lady without paying lor It." ' "Hy poor lathor must have lelt —■■' "Just nothing 1 Even worse than that, aad ;ou might as woll know tho truth flrsl as lost, 'ho little that was oomln^.to him has boon used up, and more along with It," "Then," gasped the poor gIri, beginning to oomprobena something of how truly greathtlr loss had boon, and hew entirely she w«s at Us mercy—"then I have nothing?" ' .' "That's Just It. MonoT gooB like Water through a slovo-all gone Mtora y9u khoirlt.' "And.wblit In the name ol mon/.an I to do?" ", 1 "Tiiaf 6 tho TSty thing I eame to Ulk lo ypi about. Yon are youflgand'prettyia falrrlaei and danoer, and, soeing bow badly 70a aio > you left, I don't mind giving you on engngemont at a good sobiry." "flo agnln Into tho ring whore my poor fathor wns klllod? Imposslblu 1' and shu presaud ber bands to hor temples and ehnink book In the most Intense honor. You'll soon got ovor that. It may be a tri- fle bud at first—suoh things alnuys are—but It won't Inst very long." "Anything but tnnt-onything but that I I hod sooner starve, die In a ditch, kill myself I" and thon the hot tears woto Inahintly driod Irem ber eyas by tho fiery determination, and, girl as sho was, tho strong man momentarily quailed trom looking ol bur. But ho had a purpose In view-wns utterly boortlosa when swayed by ovarloo, ond detur- mlnod not to be tbtvorted. So, smoothing his Ineo and softoning bis voice, ho aonllnued: "Yes, yes, I pity and wish I eould help you. But I oren't rich myself, ond have a toinlly of my own to look after." "I will sell my borso and " it you ownud him, you oould. But you oan't now. I had to lidvanoo oonslderublo money, and the bono Isn't going out ol my hands until I am paid," ''I wish he wore dead I" 'That wouldn't help tho matter a bit, and you might OS woll look at It In a reasonable light. Your lather-poor fellow, I am sorry he has gone" (so ho was, but mostly beoausobe was a man out of whom money oould bo mado, and not to be easily replaesd)—"eogiuiod yon, as woll as himself, for tho sonson. That Isn't endod yet. Dutrllbellboial, aslaald, and youoan pay what Is coming to me, keep your hone, and when wo go Into Wlntor-quartem some oth- er anongement oan be made. By that time, bowovor, yon will think differently from what you do now," "Noverl Heaven holp mel I hove net a friend left In the worid,'' Bhq.wBS wion^.. Xbo .maa. wllh. whom, her tolhor bad hod olmost his latest oonvorsatlen had not forgotten her to hor dulioss,. Ho hod aeon thnt she whs taken'odre ot during hor Ill- ness—hod never tor an Instant permitted tho promise ho had given to escape him. And he nowpresontod' hlmsoll, very much to the'oha' grin ot the ono who was conniving for bis own selfish ends, and who hastily took his leovo with a simple: "Oood-momlng, Ireno. You will please think over what we have bcon talking obout, and let mo know your answer. I am eortain you will SCO that I have odvlsod you for tho best" 'I havo no need of time tor roSoetlon, swerod Ireno passionately, wllh burning ohooks and flaablng oyos, "I will die flistl" For a little timn Oborlas Mason permitted tho tempestto rage unoheokod. Thon he drew tho girl gently to 0 seat beside him, and in- quired as to the purport ol tho oonveiBatlon, "He wishes mo to go again Into the ring, to resume my lormer life, to make a show of my- soll for hu own base and solflsh ends. But I can never, nevor, do It I" And tho leaetlon oamo, and the tears flowed fast nnd bltleriy. "My dear child," replied Mason, deeply moved, and taking Ihe little, trembling hands within his own, "your lather—a better man never llved-«nd I bod a long and eamest talk upon the Bubjoct tho very day hs was tsksn away. If It were In mV power I would save you trom all trouble ond IKbor, Qod knows how willingly. But, alas 1 lorn not In a situation to do so-have only what I con earn from week to week, and havo an old and slckl;' mothor to auppoiii Tour father's death not burial and your own lllnoss bars more than used up all his means." - "I know it That man-i-that wretch who has Just left me—flung It Into myfaoo that I was a beggar. Cruel I cruel I Oh, howlhato blm rand IheTlhdloUvo balunot tbo iwbi' Unds of ber UOthOr flasbod with Btcel-IUu) sparklet trom ber eyes, ."Bottly, my obnd.' Be , Intonded ' kindly •hough, I have no doubt, but la rough.". "And' thought nothing ol do, oI my gnat sorrow^ only of himself. " ■; *'We are all leqnlnd to do bo moio or loss, 'Bat tell me what be tald to yon;" Irono ropoatod the convetsullon, dwolling bitterly upon his desire to noaln foroe her Into thuiimna, and flecliiring with pnnalonate voho- monco that nothing would ovor tempt hor to do BO, Mason llatoned kindly, sympathized,nasuted ber of his lasting friendship, nnd gently drew her mind away from what she oonsldorod on Insult to the possibilities ot hor situation—to wbnt It was In her power to do. "Though tho owner ovnrleoked dellouoy in his manner of slating things, yet, my poor ohlld, ho simply told yuu the truth. You are without moons, and " 'A beggar I I shall go mod I" 'Yuu take an altogoUior wrong view, Ireno. Both ot your parents oomod thoIr livelihood in tho same way, and there la nothing In Uie leaat dlsgrooetul In lU It la tho Individual, not tho nrotosslon. Your dear, doad moUier dignified hor oolllng. There was not oven tho talntost shadow ot shame oonnootod with hor namo. I believed her to have beun as pure us an ongel," "And I would stab to the hoort anyone who even dared to whisper to tho eonttary I" "Bottly, my poor, passionate ohim—softly. Listen to me oa calmly as you oan. Under tho olreumstandce, I bellovo trom my heart that the advice you havo received Is tho boat possi- ble," "And I must rldo again?" "I see no other way. But Itwlll notnoees- sarily bo tor long. I will look to your Interest, soo tnat your salary Is a Just one and promptly ,. . . . .V - tiUm paid, toko ooro ol tho money tor you, wotol over you as it you wore my own datlghter. and whon Ihe season Is endod you dan go losohool, and your tuture be doolded upon.'^ "This your odvloe, and you dare to call your- self mytrlend I" she sold, drawing coldly oway, "It Is the best I con give, loin, end wish ever to be, a tmo friend. If you will permit mo, I loved your father, knew him boUor, perhaps, than any other man In tho oompony, and so will I love and prot4iot you, Irene.'' It seemed as It oil tho dosiro ot applause bad died out trom her heart—all dosiro for fame boon orashod with tho death ot bar lathor. Tho giddy wbiri, the flashing lights, thu rush and daring ot the ride, tho ringing nliouts of wel- eome and oncoumgoment or tho multltudo, op- peered to have booomo hutoful to hor, what ahe had before lookod upon with pleasure now oausod peln, oven In the thinking. Tbo girl had leanod ato single hound to womanhood, ohsnged In all save passion. That was so In- tortwinod with tbo very oordi ol hor heart that It must remain tho some—except, perohanoo, Inoreosod-while life remained. To convlnco her ol tho absolute neeesalty ol Immodlato acUen was a dllBoulttoak—one that Ohnrles Mason was long In doing. It was not Iho work ot a sloglo day or honr. But at last he Buoeeeded, and Ihe ovation she received upon ber first appearanoo was suoh as to flat- ter evon bor prend and craving nature. CHAPTER III, TBItnira ANO DISOBACI. It WOB the last night ot the soosen. The Bummer and Autumn wanderings ot the com- pany woro ovor. They had reoobed a large Western oily, and, alter a single pertormanoe,' would disband lor a tlmo. That night Mason bnd sueoeedod, otter muoh dlffloolty, In securing ss a tMnellt (or Irene, All tho porformera Dad willingly given their eervloos, and at last the management sue- cumbod to tho ptessuro that urgod It as due U> IhebeauUlol orphan, and everything poaslbis was done to glvo roUii lo Iho naatler. As lo the girl berselt, she lookod upon It mors as a leicase from thralldom that sorely ehaledthaa In any other llglit Bho know It would bring the moons that would go far towards her education, and yet soancly gayp It nooossan thought. 01 moiloy abe bod no proiUool' knowlMge. No opportanlty bad Men given her lor that parpoao ptovlouB to the death ot her lather, and slaoe then Mason had taken theehUivmaiagriiBontol htrafllUis. And well for her she hod toiind to Islthlul i Irlond. Ho had boon to boras both'f&lfaor and mother, and ao Well hod IntuVostid and bus. bonded her enmlngs that (the proooeds ot tho henoflt Included) tbev would bo nmpio to oorry bor through sohool. It wisely usod, and lo thot he would attend. It ho llvod. To his knowledgn ot tho business ond deep Inlureat, more than ought elso, perhaps, wns to bo attributed Iho ctowdod houae. Tho story of Irono, hor sorrows, her struggling for the moans ot education, ho had caused to bo mado widely known. Human nature Is ever generous 11 rightly nnprooohod, and Iho tale ot nrpbannge roroly IoIIh to roaoh the heart ot Ihe niissos, oven though MIdns buttons up bis packets and double-looks bis solos and bats Ilia doors nnd causes an ormed Cerberus to wiitcli without. The house wns more than filled—was donso- ly crowded at un oariy hour. Even "standing- room" could not be found. And suoh an ar- my of honuty and tnshlon hod novor beloro bivn gnthorod underrnnvos In that olty—prob- ably novor would ho ngnln, tor It would bo wry dllBciilt to nrouso n second such enthu- alnsni nnd cxcllomcnt. Even thoao who usually held IhorasolvcB ohove and aloof Irero a "mls- nmble circus"—who foolishly fancied It might enntamlnate Ihoni—wore pnnont that night boeiiuee It was for sweet onority's sake. Ah I what a cloak that con bo mndo for ourloslty. Hew many will so to a museum (and see tho anno ploya nctodf nnd tho same dsncsis twiri upon IhoIr toes) that are too holy lo tmll their (lieaacB withlu thontro-doors, though they can 1)0 scon tho gayest ot tbo gay whon tho''pit" Is floored ovor, ipid Iho waltz and Oormnn and Lnncers go merrily on for some nitrafasblon- ablu chanty I Bomothlng like this apponrod to bo the ani- mus of tho oudlonoo that welooraed Irene, At all oTonIs, they come prepared to eiijov them' aolvce, and give tho most genoroua ana hearty wclooDio to the pnrentloss ohlld, oven whilo glerllylng themselves In the aotloa. But they wore little prepared lo gaze upon so mueh ot youthful grnoo and lovollnoss, and "wont wild" over hor. All Ihe kind-hoarted women attached to tho company hod asslated In bor dressing and doeomtlon, and the combined talent and lasts hod rendered her otUro superb. Ber dress was a light, gauzy bluo, with Just a suggosUoh hero nnd there ot mourning, Bor glorions hair bad been trained Into mooslvo curls that floated low upon her white ehouldeis, confined only about the -crown with a Uara of mloilo jowela, and hertlnv toot, whits-satln-sllpperod, were at once on aamlratlon and an en^ whon she danoed. Ah, thnt donee. It would havo been warm, a thought aii< (oucAsIm poMlons lo a more aged and gross figuro. Wllh hor It was but as an Inspiration, an abondon to the witohenr ol the muslo and Iho love ol art It was rapid, fitful, hut chaste, as sho breathlessly whirled and lilt- tod over tho narpot, the very uoamatlon ol the "poolryot motion," dazzling, enchanllog al- most OS a Islry—wos, indeed, "ftuohRraee and aach hoaalyl dearertaturel voa'dewear. Whan her dflleato feet In Ihe daoea twinkled found, Tlitt btr tupa were or Uiht, that her hone vaa the air. And ahe only par computtanct toochaa the btoubC"' , There was on almost polaful alienee until aho paused for wont of t>reath, and atood with ?|ulvoring limbs, boavbig bosom, and flushed ace. Then tho pent-up enthtislasm bunt out; hondkerohlets were waved, gloves ruined In the olnpplng ot tiny hands, and sheer alter oboor, bravo otter brovo, enoore alter enooro. from mosoullno voloes. But Irene slipped quietly owoy loaded wllh bouquets and wreaths, and whIlo Iho austomnir ads were In prog- ress tho oudlonoo hod time to rooover IheIr brouth, ond comment and even sneer at per- tormanees It had token years to petteot and woro wonderlul In their swUtnoas, dexfeilty and daring. Agnln thefalrvoulhfulbonoflolaryoppeared, and again a wilil weloomo greeted her. To spare nor as muoh ns possible. It bad boon ar- ningcd tliat sho should donco and rldo but once And now tho ooal-blook steed was led In gnrlnnded with flowors-tho roses and ex' olica some vontoresome ond ogoUsUoal youth had boned would rest above ber heart dancing amid the long, flowing mono, or gloamhig crimson trom too block and glossy skin. And pioudly stepiMjd tho stood, Dlooded, of high ooungeona tossing his hood dofiantlr—a stood tnullloas almost In proportions, and nt to carry n nuoon—fit tor Oloopntra lo havo ridden when welcoming hor Antony. Wllh a low, loving oeloh ho weloomod his mistress, na It snaring In trio gonoral dollght sho oreotod—as If tho proudest Ihore of ber. In on Instant nlio was mounted and dashing around tbo olrclo swiftly as a swallow skims In tho twilight Ovor tho "gnrtets" sho Innpod; through tho tinseled balloons she flosnod, emerging from the lost one trans formed trom bead to foot by a cunning trlok of tbo coBtumer, Whon sho sprang upward from tho hone ahe was an acnro folry; whon she alighted again she wns olothed In vermilion ond gold, orewnod wllh scarlet plumes in pbtco ol jew- els, and covered with stois. So magical hod been tho ohongo that no one hod Ihe slightest premonition ol It, and the applause she re- oolved was commenaumlo with tho originality and aueoosa ol tho trnnslormatlon For that aot more than all the others com- bined Hsson hod labored, ond he was proud of It, ns wns hiB protegee when be llltod hor Irom tho horse and led her forward to rneelvo tho final greeting ot tho orowd, whose feelings oould Bcoicoly be kept within bounds, who so crowded tho sowdiut oreno thnt It was with eonsldurablo dUBoulty Irene o6uld And a paaS' oge out It'sho was not Intoxicated with siloh pro- nounccd suooess—if not dozalod with a droam of golden brightness for Ihe future—her yeuna heart would In the hetealter' be proot agaloBi suoh things, tor never was adulation more spontaneously and lavlsblypbured out Weailod, perhaps oven glad that the ordeal was paasoil, and yet living over agsin her bar Mid rweUiM to andnre. The sholt sont'wM bubtif ^t^.: stniok homo and festsied. :.l ':'Jr-rr ' Bensltlveaa suoh natures always acvlNi*.' bod noticed growing ooldness-that slw.|M'.. more and more rbcelvlng Iho "ontolfWt,':«*■' ' shunned, and, when she eoold Bodun longer, boldly asked the reason. ' j "Iteanoa?" was answered by the leader Cf Iho malcontents—a bold, forward, flippant gU - ot ooorso features, and "aubnm" (Aii«ua^ ' rod 1) hair, a veritable daoghtisr. of "tioiajr ■■ and to whom the physical loveUness of IraM bod boon from the first as gall and woimwooC' —"reason?" wllh o auponiUlons onrllng of and disdainful tossing ot hood. "Bow d— - you nsk tueh a question after thiutlng T90>. soil in among your betters?" ' - ' "I do not understood what you m«a&rl»-.' Bllod Irene, still slniggllng to retain a I ml was altoody at wnllo beat by the term ot "hoUars.!' "Oh, Indood? My flno lady holds her 1 very high, snd eanlee henelf vary don't ahe? Quite on aotiess. Isn't she, | woll ns an adept at doooptlon? Bowi pretends not lo know what Is Iheoomfflon'tMk ot Ihe town I" . . "Will yod answer mo?" qnestloned Inn^', growing pale as death, aaye lor the bninlag. spots upon elthor cheek. "Answer you, miss ? What btazaa bapai- donee 1 Only think, girls, ol her daring t» ooteohbio us I But what wonld yeui Udfihl* know?" "Thatwhiobyousayts the oommontallceC Ihotown," "Oh, Ibot U it Is Itr "And what you moon by my ""■"""g Bq> soil among my 'betters?''' "We ore all young laiia here." "And I am Just as muoh ao as any of jcm.^ "Indeed and Indeed I Just listen to girls I Bid you ever, beojr anything bo ' promoly rldlouloiis In all yonr lllsf Bht elaim. to be • lodu, and aa good as we a»,^ wM . everybody knows the school baa been diB> graced and ouiaelvoa Insaltad by har adak*' slon." "Tell me whyf ,' was demanded Ihroogh OTon whiter than tho poariv teeth. "Besauseyon are nolhug but a low-tMtt' olreua-ridor.^' '' ■, . The bitter taunt had not been ottsied Ireno, Insane wllh passion, had boondsd, and stliiok hor enemy to the floor. Bad a Eir been In ber hand, she would not havs I ted to have naed It And yet she felt the llelcus sting tar mor* InlsnBely for hardM. parenia than bsrselL' There was no time lor further oombat; tfe* wild oulcrioa ol the girls bad branght the aMti ron upon the Boene, snd she Blood for a r bloody taco and d Isordered hslr, whOe anlilkar girl was standing over her with face InflamM < with passion, oTonehed hands, and alooafc murder burning In her eyes. "Young ladles, young ladles I" aha gaspA , what Is tho meaning 01 this shocking aautr* A dozen tongues told the story In a biu a th all but Iisuo. She remained speeohleu and , inpUonless, rigid almost as marble, unlA th* matron oommanded her to loUow her. tbt obeyed with: meebanlcal movomentB, bjit wlflt duunlleaa bearing and flrm fronta "Now, wbnt have you to say foryoaiMUT* ' demanded tho matron, as soon as oar tom wns renebod and they were alone. "Thnt the aloiy you heotrl was a Her was hissed book. "That girl not only Insulted bhw ; ' but my dear, dead father and mother." "Hush I You have done a very wicked hA ' terrible thing—horrible I" "Justwboil would do ever again. Had I - been a man—had she been a moii'^I would havo klllod her on tbo spot 1" -. x "Terrible I Urrible I tou will have to proa- ; IsotocentmlyourfcorlultemperlnthenitaiB^ . ond make the moat humble apology betontta -/ entire sohool, and " ^ "Noverl I'would die first" .: "It must be so, or you will have to leara." "That I will do; and at once." Bho tumod proudly and departed trom Ikw room.'leavlag the matron astonished at sadk ' unnarallelsd dsfisnoe and Impudence. Hewr ' botore had her authority been braved. It was Iruo.shewas oonvinoed that Irene hadbesB " Insulted most groBsly—bad long known bcnr ' sho was troaled—but Uat weighed as nolhlaff In tho scale against rioh pupils and their oam- . noetlona and Influenoe. In taet ahe wobU havo boorlleaaly aaerifloed a doxen suoh glila : ' lor her tormentor, and upon tho whole (Ihoogh - - her consolenoe was far trom easy) was jlad . - that BO discordant on element woiild be eluat- mlnoted Irom her "model and losblonahla Is- stilutlon," Tot, tearing thot something mlftt - , leak out that would not redound to her aniU^ she followed'Irene, to find she had slreodyd^ ' parted—gont out alone Into the night aad dorkoess, gone friendless Into the gnat.o^y, , ostroogorto-all tho dangers that would aar> ' round ono no young snd beautiful. It was o tartlblo vent ure 1 TO SB COKTntUID. TUE PltOMPTOlW LAST OAUL ■wairrsii fDa'tasMW icax ouiTBa. ' He was an old nan, bis tiair wblle and ttlau. . Be had been sick tor some tlmo past at Ihe II— Hotel. Theoompoay would ooossloBaUy dnp b.. to see how the poor old. fellow thrived, and alala-' • Mr to his wants aa wall as they could, A drlxillnr rain was falling In the lafflp-Uts below. The ate of the grate played with a 111 eireot upon Ute.pld .man's amaoUted fans, and>» lOMd bla.hsild .naUsaalr on his plUow. --- ladlesot thh eompany aat by blsbedi ooawM lair Hands tateolbed the tangled gray hair triumphs, Irene sat the next morning talking to hor best Irlond, They had counted tho pro- oootbi ot Iho benefit, anil the result was tar bo-' yend even their most sanguine expootatlons. "You are now provided lor, my dear ohlld," aald Muson, "for some years, and the sooner tho decision Is made as to what sohool you will 00, tho bettor. To-day the oompony separate— uidoed, many hove already gone, snd, while vou are having Ihe noocsaary ololblng made tor your new lite, you will havo to bo provided with a pconor home, and I havo thought Itbeet you should go to my mothor. What do you say to that Irene?" "I don't know i hut" and she hoallatod and flushod, "why must I leavo the rltui? I don't fancy doing so as muoh as I once did," '"tho wish ol your doad patents should be law In the matter," ' "Wall, then, take mo to your moUior. Bull know I shall not be happy oonflnod In sohool; and now, whon I hove won suoh a name, and oan enm so muoh money, I don't k6 why I oonnot be loft along," Hsaon nado no ottompt at orgumont In her then stats ot mind It would hove been uso- loas lor him to toll hor bow fickle was Ihe pop- ular favor—bow lbs gnddoaa ol to-day would be slighted on the morrow—bow hodged'about was the path with IsmplAllon and aooldent— hew aoon onothor might arise to ruthlessly snatch theorown from nsr brow. Ho; ho waa too wise lor that; and, taking what she had soldasataoltconsent bobegantoprepaiofor departure, Carrying out his plan, Iho orpbahed |Irl 'was loonprovli' reallf. .oppressive. Kotblsg could be hsaid M. Ihe load doklni ol the olook on the maBUL aad tbo pauering ot tho rain on the window wll hewlL ' The door opened nolSeleaaly, and the phfBliMa eotorsd. All made way for (he man ol sdsata^ . Bow aoieriy they .watched him as be felt tlisl»-.. soon provided with a proper bonis aad'meUK otiy oare, until she oowd; bo'. piaparsd :tor achoel, 'rhotwassoon aaeomplubed, oneae- looted. Bho was token thoro and Introduced, tii learn for Ihe first how mooh' ebvy and JoalbuBx and blttor rivoliy and pride, ahd even aoDlIng,- ' -an a oomponcni port of human noluts In what wo are wont to consider Innocent and loving girlhood—how little ot Ihe angel there Is In morlnl oomposltlon, '' Day after day this was Impressed upon her— day after day she was made tn teel tho lonollnosa and utter triondleasnoss ot horsltuaUon-.to be taught that such beauty and grnoo wna looked upon as a oHmobythoMloasdoworod In IheBti respeols. But the odvloe' of Moaoti and hU aged mother, and her laat-ripoalng Jodgmsnlv. anobled hor. to oostiol bee lerapor, and) tfioagh oheolis butnodond eyesllasbea arid bHrt.ber' wlthToloonltl^pulBAtldnSrihe lAMWaTttT? mole and fit henUI by atady for a iUtUt tlL waa already dawning' In hii^'ittlhl;)' But^tbw MiDo advetso late that aeemsd to.baratoUi trom hor birth again thwarted, and that «anl«unMp«otddiyUid btyftUdaUOt J^t^iHU/ lodlesot thh eompanr I latruands kmeelbedthi . . bis daUp'otev, The alienee In the room Bow aoieriy thoy .watched valld's puliel The talr-halted aonbntte was I Bist 10 Break Iho sllenco. "Doctor, Is more any hopeV ■ ' TbopbTdolsn slowlyahook bis bead asbsMB-'. dorlr dropped Uie poor Uiln band and aolUy asMc 1 "Tbo end Is very near." Ton mlDulos puaod—twenty. ThssulIMerais verrqalit A faraln Inthe street belcw eallsd loudly to a companion. The old mansuildflBlr '; opened his ayes and dlsUncUy said In an auihost: i ' lallvevolosi ." . ' i ■-' "Halt hour—half bourl" ^ . All waa quiet anlp. The compoar In th e mm -' seemed awed by the pretonoa of death, and is«»,..' enUy bcwsd their heads, waiting mulel/(oc.aki. end. Bomoone below^lali* cpooed a ooariMd it Ihe soft Dotoseta piano were dIsUnotty haan > Uieroein; the old prettpter ronsedhiiBielt mm. ^ blastupor,andolesriycalled' ' ' ; , / "Orotiuis-ialldowDtOboglnr' ' .' Thon they aadentood blm. poor eld i iai actress looked law aoob other's boas 1 ttalrrealtied thai Vi« ruling passion wis ladail auong aveh In desUi, In lita last itemsaM bla '. boart waa with bis bebved profession. Ablalaal U«ishlill(o.drsina,andta»waslntbelastaosaa '. of.iholBit act rtom thia moment he begsBM sink rapidly.' The Mends gathered closer anud thetwdSldewlUtpUllul faces. One et lbs Isdla^ ' wiui a sob. tomad away. It seemed l« rouaa hla. He feebly said I "Svovybodr ready to end actl" A Knlble paleness came ow his tsae, dark., 1 rinis formba sronnd.'bU poor ens. ItwasIM' , &bastlrhu<of deoU), .He did not neve, .n^-, lought be had passed away, ha waa ao qaMfvl sd BioUonlMB,-"Tlw idooM. leased ever 1 indlliteaed. The laud UoMnget the olookg buttilr SpOn'Ibeuean; bat taeeneteow ' soil notesit the pUEo edhld^ hsaidi 1 ^ *tai)»lho ehKh apolttllS' BOBtal siraAa dim area brlgbtsnsd for a momeat. 1M ot'lntalllitilceatble otet his wan (at*. ' si4l»n aioppa^t 10'.catch ,hls nebly 1' tetico! .1 ' "Riagdewn—the drama Isevart'*'' '- ,1:1 - .■:ti : Ihs (al^halred girl slleaUy elcaad'ttfcidgli ITaaj,- ares.osd thns,ltk« ■ plaintive' CMMfTvi dli.' pibmptst'sUlepMsedsolUjawj.^^^^j^,- _ C.'R BBViito^tMi loeklag at tti* tUoK e tatlng wka)elDP»ki^|IHlft«UMOef Mi itieorfBie reoie *aiM, Ih lilt WIS a;wbal«»b» Sail "ObmrKdaaaa^f'U I^WklBIHtl 'kMklw'eak*t««a«4a9lMi tMa(a«iMHll Mke, but 1 donVi Uks tDoauSSSSif^f