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Un des symboles suivents appersTtra sur la darniAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —^' signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les certes, plenches. tsbleaux. etc.. pauvant Atra fllmte A das taux da reduction diffArents. Lorsqua le document est trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul ciichA, il est filmA A partir de I'angia supArieur gauche, de gauche A droits, at da haut en bes, an prenant le nombre d'Imeges nAcessaira. Las diagrammas suivents illustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 A. I STAR-CROSSED THE LIFE AND LOVE OF AN ACTRESS BY AN ACTRESS ' IN FAIR VERONA, WHERE A PAIR OF STARii;« town oi D^— i^!/"^ ^^^ flourishing Western • ^ ^"^ *^^ &a"dy hand-bilJs which, ( STAR-CROSSED. thrust into his unwilling ha;f So if ''"P''"^"«. glared from the newspaper" so ^L , ,1?' P°""' sieged, pursued, persisted in »h '"telligence be. already'sufferingCX "^ ^"^ """ "P°" "" been herefo ore suffi"Lf rf " '^r'"'"«'°" ^ad theatrical HoW-kee "r to ' :kerL'''h '■^"' °' ""^ the signal for the editor oT the m^ ^\ J' "" place a body^guan. at the door of L™ '^^ '° '<«'*'"' ^^^'^ street." ^^^^^' "°"««' ** the head of the " The Meeger House," interoospHW. • in a hoarse stage-whisper " ThT ^^.''""g*^ Rush, by heavens I'll-" ^ ^^^ "^'"^ '« ominous, and "Shut up!" roared Silas, trying to mnt u- . heard to the hag^aee m^« "V^^S to make himself relative to haulin|The trucks wlh'tif '" ^ '"^"^^-" who was none other th^nK- ^ P*'''*^^ ^^ lady. Manageress of the Acme Dram' Tr"'.^"^ ^^^^^ "Ha, ha! he throls fouTT. ^ ^^"^.^'"-^^^^^^ Wssed the aven.i„' vXlP ' ^I- "^"^^ /» "^^ ^-th," • . ° "' --t^ngoa with the others; )n the arm the queer > the sou- nd flaxen •'U want a fhis from at night, the day. , pursing of 'cm if like that median, nd give u," said 1 of the » Rush, us, and M'mself ussfon llady, distant eeth," thers; STAR-OfOSSED. my heart ' Your aU.r^- *^' ^^^ ^""eak the glistening sno^ a poor and bSine.hinTf^T" Proud beauty, shall it peri,h ? " ^ ^ "* '"'• For the love of Heaven PucK • Plored Randolph, lead"; L ".y "'"7:.'' T '" '""■ get to the hotel." ^' ^" ' ''"">' »"^ folLt"'Ho;^'th^at''t'r'.'" "'i'^"«"'"gt"m "1 of glitteringTrail-eh? ^:ir'' "''' "" ^'"' ">''"'' to a word I sav! H. i, T*"**^ y"" "« "ot Kstening heededT; thTslll and , "^ ^'"'•»"' »'"■« are un! die." Sefzingher bvthe"'''',?T"' "«=" ^h"" »h« brella over hfr head "^ ""^ *™ *' """'^'^''-^ h" "m- m the ^reetsf^'rC'yorl?- ' "^ "' "'^ ""' bi^ R^u't'^cr's/r '; \'^" "-^ "■="--■- down this heavei^ invocSte *' IV" "'""^ and fell headlong iL"rstrpi,e' HHlt t T'"f ' bag. cane, book and umbrella went flJ '•"•^«' '■and. of the strp<.f Tk stanastm m the middle avengi„rvmain"tr Z. "a Xr::^.?--^ '"^ .rg"u::i:rretT,or^- -"^^ _- -V , . . ' ""w'ever, tor soon ransr mif f^»«i ^f*.^- '^' ^"* *^^ '"ore humane hastened to 10 STAX.CJiOSSED. the rescue. Placed once more upon his feet hi= Phernalia restored to him. the wounded Sr wTh his most diabolical stage scowl stalked up to the a-" tion thronged into th' 1.^^!. "■"""" ^'""^^^■ (meaning his adtanra'g „ Jtnt'-S'''' '^""''- >ike it, and r« j„„p hL bacTto New York^rw " ^Piece. isn't he a dand.^^hat l^'^^ Do you suppose any of those duffers wilfpuretht dollars ,nto the house this week? Not much. ' "" rant." ^ '" '^^'^ contract, I war- aUtl^TuZ °"^^ l"^* '^° ^"^°"^' ^«d ^'t's past six and all the theatre stuff to be taken up." ' Holy Hemp, Mum ! anything more ? vnn 1..1, „,^^ -t, his para- visher with the lamp- ibrette, ad- 1 set off on continued Laughing, snow, veils Combina- »ation of a is way to was com- ' features ) wonder; Saunders B another in a way norning ? t dollars dollars I j11 eight ^as still » 'these ight." I war- six, and 'kglum STAH-CROSSED. II "Yes, plenty more," with growing irritation. "Beez- er's left again." '' Left where ? the lazy sneak, he does it on purpose " In the last town most likely. I don't see what we are gomg to do about him." "About who ? " " Why Beezer." " Beezer can walk, the roads are beautiful." "Yes, that's all v. fine, but what are w*e goine to do to-night ? Juliet's billed and he doubles four parts " "Well, cut his parts out; the less the audience see of Beezer the better." '' How are you going to cut out Paris, pray ? " " Oh, he does Paris now, does he ? " "Yes, and to crown matters, Generva's sick again. Just our luck, everything to happen at once " "Generva!" exclaimed Silas, turning to her. What s up, what's the matter with you ? " " She's been ill for a week and fainted twice yester- day, continued Mrs. Slick in a tone of deep injury but she never did have any grit. Look at me, how I stand work, and at my age, too ! " « wi ^i'^r"'"^ ^^ ^"''''" '^^^ ^"^« ' t^^" to the girl, Whats the matter, why don't you say something? you haven t opened your mouth yet." ''I'm sure that's nothing new," put in Mrs. Slick. Perhaps she would if you would give her a chance " snapped Silas, who didn't see fit to treat his mother with much respect. " Well," he went on, " there's no use m any one getting sick around here. We've got no money to waste on doctors. When T a^f cVi, t1. to work harder than ever and forget all abo'lit tt" That s the way the rest of you've got to do. Come — Lili" la STAR-CROSSED. ! \l I rf start. Say you baggage men, you want to step round Ww.th then, trunks ; you ain't got more than an h"ur to get them up If they ain't on time you won't get a strtt! '•"' '"•"' ""=• '■•" "«'' '•" yo- P'> aid "Have we far to walk ? " inquired Mrs. Slick erase mg her huge hand-bag, and shawl strap ? ' ^ ^' You've got five blocks, unless you expect me to h.reac^ab.and I suppose you kno/cabs c^ost mTne" wL^'slei"tVK' ^Z f ""■'^' ''"y '■" 'he cars? T^l V I. * Z ^ "'■*'' '°' ' When I was her age I d,dnt know there was such a word. They m^e women of the right kind of staff in my day^C "Anyway," interposed Silas, "she mustn't get sick You mustn't even think of getting sick. Gen. Bythe eternal thunder, what would become ot mothe/^and me .f you did ? You'd ought to think a litUe about luck^o 'themt''" ""'' '" °"" ■"'" "°"""'' <'°- "»<• " Oh, keep quiet ; who said anything about her kin ? How was the house last night ? " •; Nothing to boast of. Times ain't what they was." the s"lar~ ""'' '"' ""■ ''" "-^"^ ^ "^ -' ■•» " There'll be a row if you do." "Let 'em try it. Now, I look like a man to take guff from a lot of third-rate actors, don't I ? " and SUas threw back his head, and thrust his hands totoWs 'U let's make a > step round han an hour won't get a ir pipe and Jlick, grasp. aect me to ost money. the cars? as her age 'hey made day, thank t get sick. >. By the other and ttle about ;, Mum ? " t do, bad : her kin ? ^ey was." an cut in to take and Silas into his STAH-CROSSED. ,- ^^" Yes," she replied, drawing her cloak clos^^y a^,o^t It was indeed cold this fifth of February of the year 18-.. A cutting wind stirred the leafless branches of the trees, already groaning with the weight of snow frozen m icy cakes upon them. Overhead stretched a placid winter sky, in peaceful contrast to the noise and din, and clatter of the town below; a sky, deep and blue as a midnight ocean, studded with s^rs that shone like jewels in the frosty air. The little town was astir. The sidewalks were aglow with gas-jets, gleaming from the shop-windows, and tlje electric lights of the streets revealed vehicles of aU descrip- tions, rolling lumbersomely over the cobble-stones. The party of three stopped before the door of a dingy hotel. A smoky lamp revealed a rickety staircase, leading from a poorly carpeted hall, and fell upon the lU-kept figure of a surly porter, who between a snjf! and a grunt, indicated that the parlor was up th^re and the office in here. Mrs. Slick and Generva pro' ceeded to ascend, and Silas went into the room pointed out, where the male members of the company w^re grouped about, some hanging over the desk, and others talking and gesticulating, much to the consternation of the landlord, who was trying to give each and every one the best room in the house at the same time. " It's no use," he was saying, when Silas entered, you will have to double up." "Not if I know it," retorted Mr. Randolph, who being the leading man was, of course, most concerned. " I'll go somewhere else first." " No, you won't," said Mr. Slick coming forward ; " I ?-9!BSSBa 14 STARCROSSED. \ n pay your board, and you'll either stop where I m,i, rates or you'll pay it yourself " ""''* furthef hid ti'^i.i^'.frchfd fo TZ^'"^^, '"' what rooms he required for ,h,,A- l' ^ '''"' °'" proceeded to wn'te ^^^e ' Wch t'' - "''"''''^ Editor of the IvJ^^l^Z ""' '° '"^ Gertr^dL'ldGercr;; Birn"' "? Slick. Blanche, mirror arranginXr Lr T ^ J"" """"^ " "«'<«' ■cngth uponrhtthaTsofa" wts^-rrr '"" one of her ^taee varn, i-.h. 7 '"^^ ""^^P '" ing been raiseforthe bfardTalTr" "" '"""■ '"^■ a .ow -king- -'"a terrible sneer ; ''•Youcan-tgoinwithoutaticVef I can't, can't I ?• i-e sat that pfay throu'h a'rt" "''• *'"' ^f^'^ eyes off me"^ 1 1,^1;^ p"l- """ """^ '"^ e«« was Pauline, my very W fnl f "'' ' *'""''• ^«' " you think h^did when kl,°'''"""'''>'- *«»* "o ' «o«». . . w " " ^"en It was all ov*»r ? " -ot Dan? "suggested Gertrude! ■ l';t VAs of A diflfer- in it. cas, and Texas ood heavens! >re a brace of > if I do say it eck and amis %e!t)ieboys nkles out of the curtain K feet two at waist by a oor, and at- Dobig was your time, tlie shakiest n a pair of being, awful ibie sneer: had drawn I 9 marching ^ell, girls, : his great '• Ves, it What do STAH-CROSSED. - , jy back^tw' ""'",' "P *° ^'"^ ""^ ^^^^ ^^ a slap on the SevSi ^ Tr'"' ^'"^ '^^^"^^ thefloor/'l"s a casl^ vfr' 1""' ^^^' '^ ^^•^' '^"d here's your cash. You see, I bin fooled in this town before Ct I -^^P-y -nay until see ™„re co.e Lng ".'°°''' „ ^'"' ' "^™'' ' yawned Gertrude. Blanrh! ""T ''"' *"" """^'"^^ °' ^ ^ero in him," sighed Jflanche, who was sentimental '"gnea SliZ"' "" "'' "P *° ^""ff-'-nyway," retorted Mrs. At this juncture Silas cam^ in « t you. Mother," he said ha^V her a W '':*rw°; n't' for you, Blanche and Gertrud^ .Va \ . , "'^ you, Generva. There's no s 'but I can't ^1^, '" ""' I'tWnJ rr'\f '' '"'"^'"^ 'hem i„ " ""'■ compl'a "cVgI ::de '^ :?,^'" "f '".^ - "ave a fire," get our deaths." * '"'"""e "'S""' ""^ *«•« SilL'"" it"'?"' °" *■■="' ^^'' Saucebox," replied foiThem yis r CT r ""■; ^"^^ ■■" "-• '^^y suppose ? " °" ^°' ^°'"' '"^^ «'«'^'^ «lary, I tr^de. ''"■' *"« ""°"8h to last forever," grumbled Ger Motl^^f ' G^n'' '"""■ '°°'^'""' "o* "■■"<=• Come along Mother. Generva, your room is down that hall to thf " The skinflint! " wh;cr%^..«^ z^-^.,-, tht corridor " T K.r ""T" ^" ""'' ^^^^^' ^^ ^^^ t"»^ed his mother's eyesr" '' "'"^' ^^^^^ ^^^ ^PP^ ^ff I^ STAR-CROSSED. CHAPTER II. JULIET. woTfe rtln th? °' °~ ""' "='"'^' better nor most) ana four private boxes Z^.TZ:;\Z »ng, and lighted with electricity Th. 1 "*^" stamped noisily up the *tairnmg cne aa STAH-C/iOSSED. hnirr'l'*"*"^'^" ^^"^^"^^d Silas, throwing back a lavagely "'' ""^^''"^ ^'^^ ^^^^^^^ P-" "Props," replied the scion of the noble house , f Montague. ''A bell, a sal.er, some muslin cu.4s, such^!!^'*''" '""'^''T'^ Silas, "you can't come any such games on me. Im twenty-one. A property man who isn't fly enough to borrow all the th^gs he need" f noT '' T'"" ^'^"' '^"'^ ^°^^^ ^- -Jt T ay out no money for props. Dem it, man! do you think 1 m a Vanderbilt ? Where's Rush ? " " Dressing." " Send him here and be quick about it ; " and Silas Tntn h d-^""'""! f'^""^ ^"^^' -^ watched m until he disappeared behind a wing. " Money for gor ThVd "^'nf ' "^^^ P'-^P^' Ha,hart'hJ^ good The demned beggar, let him steal 'em! Why I ve known property men to get rich on the stuf Vhev Mr. Rush, who played Mercutio and a couple of minor roles, also managed the stage. Upon perce Wng h s chief he came rapidly forwa- u. with two red spot! of paint upon Ms cheeks and a vi, -. ^:. hand. ' "Yet •• said% ! ^'".""' '' '"^-^ ^'^ '"^--d- Ves, said Silas m his quick, sharp way. "It's now ten minutes to eight, and I don't want you to r ng h stand?' " """' '^" "'""^^^ P-^- ^' you unler- " Yes ; anything else ? " iilas Lustily recrossed the staw. =nrf ,•„ ,..»i... _ n.c„t was Whirling down the street"i„-a ha-ct'^'sC «»* hrowing back a gorgeous prince noble house of nuslin cuifains, can't come any ^ property man things he needs his salt. I lay ! do you think it ; •' and Silas 1 watched him "Money for Ha, ha! that's al 'em ! Why, the stuC they 1, 1 want you." i a couple of )on perceiving two red spots < hand^ 2 inquired. ty. " It's now ^ou to ring in > you under- 'Inished, and m A«.U^_ aitVJ'tJlCi JIIO- ick. A short STA/f-CHOSSED. ,- ride brought him to his destination. He jumped to the ground, ordered the driver to wait, and then mounted the stairway leading to the West End Bu^^t to a loud come in ! " entered. Mr. Eric Hazelton was seated at his desk, arranmn^r some papers prior to taking his departu;e , rTh! night. Near h.m sat a gentleman. Mr. Slick came forward, hat in hand, and catching the faintest 'hade of annoyance upon the editor's face, assumed a .ost apologetic demeanor. '' I'm deucedly sorry to interrupt you." he be.^an with a marvebus meekness- "T n«, "^ oe^an ««r» .. "^^ "»<-eKness . I am, upon my honor ' " Don t mention it," returned Mr. Hazelton, who was something of a philosopher. "Sit down'" ''Thanks, but I have'nt a moment to stay. I iust got your note, and I ran in to tell you how confound l^ZLv^^' ^'- -^ ^ ^ox, too. There's an "You see." explained Eric, vainly seeking a fitting subterfuge-" you see, I have been very busy, and 2 friend here-oh, by the way, allow me to introduce you. Dr. Winthrop, Mr. Slick." '"Produce "Well," interposed Silas shaking hands with Dr Winthrop, who had risen, as had also Hazelton, " let me drive you down, you and your friend, and see one aTt I ve a carnage at the door. You will oblige me very t^sTris^^vr ^"^ ""-' - ^^- --" He looked from one to the other as he spoke. T Hon t mind going." said Eric, who w« f.^ ;«^. protest. " Will you come 't--~ ^ '^ "'- • """'"' fellow len good J« oblige me. »4 STAR-CROSSED. y»u." decided the gen.,:: :',t;-J'^=;"' ^^ -th The curtain had iust r„„„ "^^^^f '^ Tom. Mr. Shck ushered them „tf th" ""*''' ""' «'' -'''■' "lone, he withdrew ^ '"P""''* *° '«™ 'hem "Good house," remarked Eric "h,.^ t GenervaRomaine before, did y"u%" ' "'^" ^^ No I don-t think I have." «.e .ows "ol 'r,.teS: -1^ ^' -nin, ance will equal it " °P^ "'« Perform- "Sodol." ;; We needn't stay, you know." "WhaViaheyd:?"""""""" -e^X" .fat.-t :t"; "T "'"' ^ '^-" <" provided a man wer^ simnl ^^'^"^ "• That is, With a ladye," ^"X^' T"^'' '° '"'^''^" '"■"'^^' cynic to all appearances '• ° "'^^ ^°'"«'""e of a HaLT^^hTaT;'!^^^^^^^^^ You see, if a man loves a woLn ^. ^" ^P^""'- "-an, and they are both a^e TtheT" '°^^^ ^ fact, as well as are their r^,r.r.^ / ^ """""Portant why then one is apt to t»tT ''?"'■■" """ «^"ds, Now, why should ifushhom;.' *J"^ '" ^""'^d when I shall so.n ha'e the7eL,w'''=''.-Vo.night, n.&hl until -death do ,„ '!!..!,? °''""'"S her every woman hater!" -^e...... Answer that, you jght that I ought Yes, rjl go with -d as Tom. ^e first act, when ite box. Apolo- i to leave them •ut I never saw J Eric, scanning •e the perform- out." id a chance of e rt. That is, >urden himself >mething of a twinkling, his It all depends. 'Oman loves a all-important s and friends, for granted, rice to-night, ng her every er that, you STAH-CHOSSED. ha™" Sedir '■" "'^' "='''-' --""•' "o -X " Juliet ! " called the JVurse : " ' What InmK » u 'How now! who rallo?'" .. erva. A tall, slender girl with a ^tatue^!^^ f ^^"" exquisite symmetry and T o^ f,''^^"^^^"^ figure of here; what is your will?" she asked .nH .t ' . "" sweeping lashes; a low hm»w f„„u-./^ '.'''*^^'' '')' mouth, small and beauiuully ^uT^d"' He/ '"!' "" was of ivorv satin • a !,.« curved. Her costume vory satm, a long court train with a low cut 26 STA/i-C/tOSSED. P«inl,J IKMIIC, ,»„.„ ,,,,, , '^ presence seemed a charmed onp Tt, ^ "^"^ in he. glance, he. gestur^^r^ Je r^::^'"''''"^ The act was overLi^^ and^ric tld"" h" ^''°'^- his friend. "™''' *"<' regarded " Well," he said, "that wasn't so badly done was it ? " 1 am not such an enthusiast as you are " infT^ posed Eric; "there's no philosophy-^ " ' "'"" rmlosophy be hanged ' " ;; You are an idealist ; I always said so." wourt^ha-ngTpracrJktf.? ^°"' "^^ ^^ ' c-::^"^ ra^Ve'TXo'^lT^- -4- ^^ ^^^ is haughty tJss T^:ZIttr:^^J^ ^ don't suppose she is his wife ? " * ^°" "Sch— see they are beginmng." then ^.«.„ cli„be''d":heTarde:ralr'"^r''Rrd Th was at his be.<;t in fK.v 1 :. ^Z^- Randolph ^andso„,aswithactru^';;:Xdg":.„tte''th':: amed her rounded ings of pearls. In and from the mo- le was instinctively y. As to her voice, ■y stage trappings she spoke. Her 'here was witchery 2, her smI.'C. ng to every word le neither spoke, ned and regarded dly done, was it?" g," reph'ed Tom. i you are," inter- I so." orst dye, and I u say the girl is ere, in the name u suppose Slick cess, with that manner. You •d by a calcium, ary pause, and Mr. Randolph e looked very Jsture he threw STAR-CROSSED. ^^ But soft, what hght through yonder window breaks! It is the east, and Juliet is the sun »- It IS my lady: Oh. it is my love!" The lines were well delivered a« w.'fi, i scaled the balcony and elasned ?L !' ^ ^^^^ ^' in his arms In fh! f u ^ timorous maiden his Passio„lT.t„X leXeThefr' /^ ngs that she believed proclaimed her lover's death voice, the terrors of thttomb AtT-'^' "' ''^""'^ reached a climax th»f fl • ^ • ' ""' P°'"' ^^^ parable Tf? • j /? '"tensity was almost incom- paraoie. Jt was indeed masterlv w^^,!, tu fection of art. The last ».r, u ""^ "^'^ P"' cuts necessitated hv !^ , ■ T '''°'''' °*'"e '» 'he When the crtlLp •■"■''''"""''''' °' performers, turning ,1 Tom Id ."' ^"^ ^^°" f™-" "is chair, and yjuiiets, but I have never before seen Juliet 28 STAR.CJtOSSED. \ ]'■ I m tx-J,::-"""' ""'" '" '"^ "•«« »^ »«' writ. . "Well, gentlemen," interrupted Mr Slick ,t fl,- come. You see she i, young Onlv 2L ^'" men; I give you my wori fof itl" "^ ^'"""' gentle- "She ,s a great actress, and you know ■> •• « i- j Ah ! sighed Silas with a mysterious air " f h.f . the question. You will pardL me but o. . °* cannot possibly be interested ^ T!' • ' P^''^"' that I did aet her «„h? u '",^"°^'n& more than " qtr • I ' ''*" ^^^P ^e*" indefinitely ' She snot your wife? "inquired Tom. "^^ No, she isn t even a relation; but for all th;.f «h. t™sv:rtheX" ^:r^ r "•"-■^--^ Voung enough, eW^^^e^/o^^^^t^^^ " '■'- past two years • hm- if * i,.- ^ scarred her these will burstn:ro Nel'vo k^wri"' "!f' f""" "^ some acting worth seeinf ThJ ^ ' ? '''°" "'""' the way of 'our succrs:':id il'^VAZ T^ L" break d6w„ she'd ruin me •• """'"=*"''• "she'd ;; Perhaps overwork," su^ested Tom. does^st "oV'st' ^^ ""r''""^ ■""• "What folded.* " ^^y '" '"^ "" *!«• her hands " s"n« sfxTM.""'"' "" ■'^^ '°-'^y ■•» *^ c- ? " i. 2Z^'^Z^lZ!!:i\-'^.^^ "as done to.„ight • "Wh;t'sam«n'^;;7\^'.V""'^' journey thrown in?" What s a man to do ? demanded Silas. « I suppose fice and will write STAR-CROSSED. »9 a company's got to be carried from place to place -mehow. I tell you the show business .'sn't a pfcn'c What do you want ? " f'^"'^. (Mr. Beezer had thrust his head in the box.) . «x^" 'f ^VT^ ^"''''' "^^'^ f^'"ted again." well nal'' .^ "''' '^^'^' '^' ^^y' S°«^ business, " nL^T. ^. ^'"f.' '"^''n^'"^ prosperous, and then doneTor!" ' ' gentlemen, if she gives out I'm "I don't think I would stop to consider the state of my hnances just now," recommended Eric with ill-con. turtd toTl* I"' ''" "^^ ^"^^ °" Silas, who had turned to Tom and was saying: "Would you come back and see her, doctor? It would be awfully good of you." " 1 certainly will if you wish it." " Then follow me and I'll take you in ; and you, Mr Hazelton, ,f you'll wait. I'll join you dii^ctly. This way doctor, if you please. It isn't a step. ^ J ^ much obliged. I can't express my gratitude, I can't really, through that door. One moment, Mr. Ha'el! ton, m one little moment I'll be with you " " Tl^^' * ul*r7^"' ^^" ^'^ ^''°"* '*'" «" wed Eric. alL: ^:^ltf r ^^. -"-•"'" he muttered when left ought\o be hfng.'?"^ °" ''"" '^"^ '^'- ^^^^ he scenes'^'wT'!^*- ""' '^T ^"""^^' ^"^^ ^^ind the thW c' 7 'iF ^""^ "^'"'y ^"^ dilapidated every, thmg seemed. The stage was deserted. In the short mterv 1 h,,h had elapsed since the final fall of the curiam, thf* m#»« h'%A * ., . . thf-wln^rc""-""!, """/"'" ^^'^J-'^ne tomb, pushed back selves off to their respective dwelling-places. The :m 3© STA/i-CHOSSED. janitor, lantern in hand was matinrv ^ c i • stopped. He gave a smart rap, and without waiting sHflin. I "" '^'""'"^^- The atmosphere wll st.flmg. A rusty oil-iamp burned upon a table ^hr, were strewn rouge, powder, greasepaints pL« d es ha,rp,„s, and numerous odds and ends Over a broken chair was thrown her costumes worn in the inspected. The girl herself was in a dead fainf w face was livid, her lips blue, and still shrouded in^h" ihank Heaven, youVe come," wailed Mrs Slick when she saw them, "though goodness know yoive been long enough about it. Whatever did kei^ you to7Now'"V T""""!'' ^'■'"'' "''^^ ''™''6''t " doc. "ri?h ' .J"'"' "'■'="■" *''^ •'«' 'hing to do?" Tom "there tit"; 'T' "■■"• ""^ ""dx" directed I om , there, that s it. Now send all these folks out she wants some air. You might help me to charhe; " Do.t^"'°~''' ?■■''"'■ <'° " gently, like this." after thelrrest"'" M "' '""''"^ "P f™" ^^ ^^ can Jt „„ \l" rt""' '"'"™'' "d° yo" think you comfriXtt^ , r '." ' P™'"'^^^ Hazelton to come right back. I don't want h™ > ^ don't really." - t^"' ^"^y- ' STAR-CROSSED. „ " You can go," said Tom shortlv " T H^nV j you know; that's where tL wo" coJes'irr"'"' trust anyone to write notices but mTelf ^""in factn' ""y'l-'-e 'hat requires brains. So ru be off Ta\ ° and thanlcs awfully." "• ^*' '» ' ha72t;the r"'"'/"""' =■"" '^'''" 'he door u...ir.t ,t tt f:ir sror,httr '^-''•' round. My God. how beautifuyshet ^I. . H^ face of a Madonna, and what ha l '" f»t- •' '^ in his hand. "But I do^t Kl„ ^- ^'""S » '»"g braid roused." ''''° ""' f^"" ; she must be ■•n T fe;t^:„t h:d^t r/r^.-'"-"-. and move. SuddlTy she ooeLdT "''°" °' ^^'"^ h-r them upon his face IT J" ^''"' ""'' '»='™=d strange thriilshitthr^*!''" ^'""^ ■"«' his. a she hfd recovered ,t°"^'' ■.'"'"■ ^"^ ''' '«"'' 'hat ;;jVhereamI?" she murmured feebly. " L nii ''■■^ssmg-room-you fainted/' "v:s!towVoT:ut:ir- '^^^'--r- Cold. Tharbet'tt.-stri*t?^°"'" '"'■■'■"^ f- => =haw,. ' 1 1 1 1 ! - H ( ^H' ^^^H ^ 1 ^^H ] 1 3a STAR.C/iOSSED. " Much better. Who are you?" " I am a doctor." " I saw you in the box." "You did?" •'Yes." "Areyou suflfering?" " Oh, yes." "Where?" " My head," pressing her hands to it, " and my back ^ the pam there is agonizing. Then am c^fd ami again hot; see !" She stretched out her bar. arm« and he laid his hands softly upon them "'""" You have fever," he said. " Could you cure me, doctor ? " "Not at once, but in time I might. Provided of course, that you would follow all my directions and do what I told you." "'fccuons, and '' I would indeed," she promised. Then I will try my best. Take a little of this " pounng some medicine in a glass. "It is not vlr'v pleasant to the taste, but it will do you good. " "" , With a great effort she swallowed it /'That's right. Now, I am going to call in vour friends and have them get you fead^ to ^flZ^' But you will come back, doctor?" "Yes. Don't try to exert yourself. Lie still until some one comes to assist you." Rising f™„ he, sfde he crossed over to the door, opened it, and with a last' him^HThTd'^t'" "%-'-'«'' ^'"-^ '' W;e\td S^i, ., had not gone far when he encountered Mrs Zt'lf "''. '"r "^'^"^ '" =»'«' a«i«- " How is she ? •• ...>- ...4u,rcu, lora thought rather flippantly. t, " and my back ; I am cold, and t her bare arms m. It. Provided, of 7 directions, and I little of this," " It is not very J good." to call in your o go home." Lie still until \ from her side, and with a last t softly behind :ountered Mrs. ess, and stood How is she ? " ntly. STAR-CROSSED. Very ill," he replied gravelv " hn^ «k^ • » get her "adya^uicklyafVoucan "L"""'?'- ''he .s well protected from the cold I "m "' ""*' of a carriage." will go , search offTod:t\iddi„T"*;l^"- '.';r^' ^"^ "--c dollars at least I^einfnoTe"" ^"""^^ "T"'" he'll have a fit wherhe hears of it Tk°'"«'' »« him on my hands too! " "' ^"^ "'"" ''" •>"« ..^^"^ and conflicting were Tn™ „r- . thoughts as he wended hi! wL^h JT . Winthrop's streets, in the direction of Th ^"^ ""^ ^"""^d HeseemedtobewaZgo/i^: TT' '^"^ ''='W- tity, to have become some ot' else ™T ?' "' "^"- forced itse f upon him th^f k ^"*' "•«» even he was in ^ ' "**' ''^ ="""« "-""drous miracle, jriThero;ir:„^'-t r^^^^^^ '--r-'^ -e. of this evening hrrde;rwrhr't'''"«"- analyzed if he had tried H ' . ""''* "°' have ■n this girl, whom he Tad se^^ 7' .If 'Pi^ ''"'"«"=d night. He felt that he „ tT ""* ""* time to. before : where he co Id-nlt ™ "l' """ ^'^^-here youth, when loiterine und " .''^' """ ''" ^^ «rly eign lands, he had oL„" teate d'7""l =''" °' '"'■ as hers. How long he ^oZT.^^^lj''''. ^"'h a face oi dim retrospection it is7n,"""'l.'.'*"^'' '" 'he path "ot a sound^of ap^JlcirrS^^oCt- ^ I 34 STA/i.C/iOSSED. i! his reverie, and awakened him to a realization of his errand. Catching sight of a coup6 he hailed it, and drove rapidly back to the theatre. The lights by this time were nearly all extinguished, and the place in grim darkness. What a bleak and dreary aspect it pre- sented, now that the long rows of ^ eats were empty, and the hall and lobby deserted. He found his patient considerably unnerved ; her face was twitch- ing, her hands nervously clasped together, and tears glistened in her large eyes brilliant with fever. " I thought you would never come! " she exclaimed impulsively, almost gasping out her words. *'Well, upon my word!" interposed Mrs. Slick, "if you're not the most ungrateful piece I was ever so unlucky as to have anything to do with. Here's Dr. Winthrop, a stranger, running about at midnight to get a cab, and you fly at him because he don't get it quick enough. You are getting the big head, I guess." " Never mind about that now," said Tom, "get into the carriage, and I will bring her;" lowering his voice, "when she is more composed. You must bear in mind she is ill." "Cranky! you mean." " I am ready to go now," murmured Generva, with- out the suspicion of a tremor in her voice. Her sudden calmness and self-control astounded him, but he said nothing, only offered her his arm and led her into the street. Arrived at the Meeger House, he assisted first Mrs. Slick to alight, and then turned fro Generva. To his astonishment she made no movement : touching her hand he started-it was cold. She had fainted again. Without an instant's hesitation, he took her in his '?^im^^4 i STAH.CA'OSSED. arms, and with an injunction to Mrs 91.V1, f i ^ , way, carried her uDstair, u. u ^ *° '^^^ *^« her on the bed "" °'''" ''°°'"' «"d laid " If this isn't a pretty how d'vp Hr^ " woman, holding her Z a^ . * ^^'P^^ *^^ ^^d climb. ^ "' ''' '"^"^' ^"^ Panting, from the "Good gracious," exclaimed Tom "fK • order one at once ; if she gets a ch.'ll ' '' "^ ^'■'" ' for her life " ^ "' ^ ^°" ' answer " Vou arTa ^oo f Le'atfr' """■'"« "" ■-". one here who has a litUe se„se " '°°'"' """ """ -"« .-^ble Ge„erva„asLo!g;-..^Jr;. ' ^°°'' "'=" "' ing more to be taken dSJ^h'-'t ''1'' ""'' P'^P"" coat and hat to Bo ■■oZX'^.f^L^VT, "' "'' over the bed. and for «n« ^ "*^ ^^'^' leaning in his. ' ^°' ^"" "^°"^^"t holding her han! ^^J^Good-nighV. she whispered softly, -^and thanlc 36 STA/i-CIiOSSED. m iiniii! CHAPTER III. THE WINTHROPS. The town clock struck one as Tom emerged from the hotel and walked briskly down the street. The night was cold but clear. A white moon floated serenely overhead, and the silver trail it left behind fell in glistening sheen upon the frozen soil. Number- less stars had, like a vast army, gathered upon the dark firmament of the heavens, their thousand lights spark- ling like diamonds in the chilly air. How peacefully, how calmly slept the city, that but a few short hours ago so teemed with strife and commotion ! How quiet, and still, and pure it looked, all its evil and darkness hidden beneath an immaculate covering of snow! Thoughtfully Tom wended his way homeward. It was a half-mile at least, but it seemed no time before he ascended the stone steps that led to his house, turned the latch-key and entered. He had indeed been lost in reflection. A shaded lamp burned brightly upon a table that stood almost in the centre of a large square Queen Anne hall, elegantly hung with portieres. A magnificently carved staircase, with tall stained glass windows, at each landing, led to the upper story, and upon the first of these steps, her head leaning against the banister, reclined an old woman who was sound asleep. Tom smiled as he caught sight of her. "Good old creature," he murmured; "I wonder if I any one else will ever love me as much as she does?! Mildred ! " touching her shoulder. ■ bef i\.' PS. Pom emerged from n the street. The 'hite moon floated trail it left behind 5zen soil. Number- lered upon the dark (usand lights spark- . How peacefully, : a few short hours lotion! How quiet, s evil and darkness overing of snow! homeward. It was no time before he his house, turned d indeed been lost ed brightly upon a e of a large square with portieres. A 1 tall stained glass e upper story, and ;ad leaning against m who was sound ight of her. red ; " I wonder if | tuch as she doespj STA/!. CROSSED But IVe sat up for yo„ 1'/ "^ ^""^ ^r^y mot^. somehow IVe g™w„ TeS toTt iT "'" " ''°^' ""'^ low; put some^coal „„ ifi/ ^ ; l\°\t,yZ «« -'' your tea. ,•„, ,„„ US hot, I le'ft ,"'o 'thHtr/e •' '^'' ,,ma„t breakfast before„i„eto.™orrow:M:;dred." ;; Any of the folks been in to-day?" I*,ss Dorothy, sir, this afternoon." „ "'° ^"e leave a message ? " No; only that you were to h,. . the house this evening. * '""'^ ""^ S" ""t to "Allright, t.hatwill do. Brin., „„ .1, . to bed." "8 "P '"« tea and get i.>a:;:tr Mi;;t* - -ett:rt':r:Sn^rt- 'dai„Vaf;er'^:!r;he?Vorhr' f.^A^th'''"^^'' °- any more good old times th „ I sha'l noTr^M* '' come in and go out and rf., j . ' '^ "■''^ to don't believe'shetillsft up tilf 7 T''^' ' P'"-- ' keeping my tea hot. S d M H-el ""' "'"'' ''""^ ' ' "At twelve o'cloct sir " ""^'*°n come in ? " ' MoZ'ni.S^-"'''"- ^"^ •"'"'' '" -y one disturb me ■1 1 : 1 i 1 i III; 1 ■ 1 1 1 , 1' 1 I 1 j' ! 1^1 ~ i 1 1 • "' 1 I^H ill l|!I if H i|j j 1 li" 1 1 i [ !■ 38 STAR-CROSSED. Mildred had been in the Winthrop service for years She had nursed both Tom and his sisters, but it was upon him that she lavished her devotion. When his pro- fessional duties compelled him to leave home and set up housekeeping in the city, she became his chief aid- de-camp, from overseeing the servants and domestic duties to receiving and attending the patients. Tom declared she was entirely responsible for his bachelor- hood, and so long as she lived he did not see the ne- th?''^. A^^^'- , ^"' ^''' ^^'"^^'•^P' Tom's mother, thought differently. According to her theory, mar: nage^with a physician was an obligation, and she re- peatedly urged the desirability of it upon her son. For years her endeavors had been unavailing; but as con- stant dropping of water will wear away a stone, so at He?!.' fT^ "^""'f '" '^ P^^^"^^^^' Miss Bea. trice Bell, the young lady chosen by Mrs. Winthrop as a fitting partner for him, was, she had argued, a woman possessed of every quality necessary to effect his hap- piness. When for the fiftieth time she had sounded her praises, and descanted enthusiastically upon her beauty and accomplishments, Tom drew a cigarette from his pocket, lit It, and allowed that she was a nice girl The very woman for you," said his mother. ' j Think so ? " " I do, sincerely." " She's not bad." ' " I should say she was all that was charming. Well educated, young, and you must admit, Tom, she has " I dare say." , I " And tact ? " "Yes." op service for years, is sisters, but it was tion. When his pro- leave home and set ecame his chief aid- /ants and domestic the patients. Tom >le for his bachelor- lid not see the ne- rop, Tom's mother, > her theory, mar- jation, and she r,e- upon her son. For ailing; but as con- way a stone, so at iuaded. Miss Bea- ' Mrs. Winthrop as d argued, a woman y to effect his hap- le had sounded her ly upon her beauty cigarette from his '^as a nice girl, lis mother. charming. Well tnit, Tom, she has STAH-CROSSED. "And—" JlT ''""' ^'"^"'" '"'"'•"Pfng her, "I am going to please you in this matter if I can " youtu.'^""""' ^°"'- ' '■""■^' "P°" y""' P'--g "Oh, never mind about me; I daresay you know a great deal better what my wife ought to bVthan I dl" __ Then you will speak to her soon," eagerly. The first opportunity that presents itself. I sun pose you will take charge of everything after that )"' Of course," she promised. And so it was decided, and Tom contented that so momentous a thing should be so easily disposed of fr°"^?.*'''*"='* himself that he had such a thorough: gomg mother, and believing that in her hands Wsfu ture was safe, he lighted another cigarette and gave a wetoTsot" r."™ ^'°'" "• '" '"^ ""- o cale in^^ 1 ''"' "P"" ^''' ^^"' ^"d when she cZ»T ™r »■«» held out her hand in wel- com* he retamed it, and leading her to a sofa sat down beside her. Miss Bell, although she knew i us what was coming, remained perfect^ composed ind to matT fi" r,"""" "'■°' "-"^ '*^=" he was abou iLr B„fl Pl""ge, felt himself growing ill at bush s^h ""^."°' ^^ """"" "> ''«' ^bfut the " rA m"""" ""■"">' '° ">' P™"' ^nd said : J5ee, will you marry me ? " she Cnd hts e'lf^t^ r I"""' ""'^"•"^ '" ''- "« frame "J-"!Lt ^i?^^'" "°'-* therewith to """"=5 ^--F^y. ^ne nad expected an offer Vnr I I ill lf!H .ilfl! II Tom on his part began to fidget. Was it possible that she expected him to fall at her feet and implore her hand on bended knees ? He had not bargained for this. Indeed, he knew perfectly that such a pro- ceeding was entirely out of his line. Beatrice was a taking sort of a girl, and a favorite with most people, but she had never inspired him with any great degree of tenderness. Besides, in talking the matter over upon various occasions with his mother, he had been assured that such a proceeding was not at all necessary. If this were the case, then how was her long silence to be accounted for ? He began to think that she had not heard him, and was on the point of repeating his words, when she found the use of her tongue, and said : " I am so taken by surprise, Tom, that 1 really can- not decide whether I should say yes or no." Tom drew a long breath of relief. " Don't say no, Bee," he entreated, " when yes is just as easy." ^ "Are you in earnest," turning and regarding him incredulously ; " it is so sudden." " In earnest," he repeated irritably, " do you suppose I come here and ask you to marry me for fun ? " " No, of course not ; but in matters of this kind there is generally some little preliminary " — "In some cases, but not in ours. We have been acquainted for years," he interrupted. " I never imagined you cared for me," she murmured, lowering her gray eyes and blushing a little. "T)idn't vou!" he returned. unaccountable mother. heorinninop fnr — D e — reason to feel wrathful towards his STAR-CROSSED. 41 and regarding him athful towards his " No, indeed, how should I ? " " Well, that isn't the question at issue, Beatrice " he declared, and try as he would he could diffuse no warmth into his words. " You know that when I have a thing to say I say it outright. Will you marry me ? Yes or no!" "Yes, Tom,"s9ftly. " That's a sensible girl, I thought you would." "Tom!" aghast. " I thought you would be a sensible girl," he added hastily. " Then it's all understood, is it ? and I can go home and tell the Mater we have settled it ?" "You know, Tom," reminded Beatrice, who never lost sight of the proprieties, "you will have to speak to papa." ^ A "J*" y'']'\f''*^'^ •' " losing his temper ; " well, I won't do It, and that's final." What a monstrous lover! If he had not been Tom Winthrop, no doubt she would have rung for a servant to show him the door. Instead, she assumed a little air of injury, and replied : "Very well, Tom, just as you please, but it is cus- tomary, you know." " I don't know anything of the kind." " But it is," with quiet persistency. "Then mother will have to do it. I said I wouldn't and I won t." * Here ensued another most uncomfortable pause. 1 11 tc!! you what, Bee," said Tom with a sudden inspiration, "suppose you fix it with your father. " z uu couia, couldn't you ? " • J^ I might, but you see, Tom, custom requires that Si 4« STAR-CROSSED. " Custom be hanged !" angrily ; " I won't have custom thrown in my face." This was too much. Beatrice began to cry. Tom felt like a criminal. He set himself down as a brute, and for a moment was at a loss what to do to make amends. Finally, with a happy thought, he put his arm around her waist, and took her hand and held it in his own. "Don't cry. Bee," he implored, all his anger melting away, " don't ! What will mother say when she knows I have begun like this ? I will speak to your father in spite of all that I said to the contrary. I don't see how you can be willing to marry a man who behaves so abominably to you." "You didn't mean it," she declared, drying her eyes and smiling, " and you shall not do anything that is distasteful to you. I will speak to papa myself." "My dear girl," exclaimed Tom impulsively, "you relieve me unspeakably, you do indeed I Now, you and mother and the rest fix the whole affair to suit your- | selves. Leave me out of it entirely, and I will call in | as soon as I can and learn how you are getting on. You will speak to your father before I come aeain will you not?" " Yes, Tom, sure." " And you will forgive me for making you cry ? " I "Of course!" | " Bee, you are a sensible girl— kiss me I " I And this was Tom's wooing. | The engagement made considerable stir in the social j circles of D , for Tom was a great catch and Bea- 1 tnce an acknowledged belle. A word here of what the social circle of D really was might be apropos. I won't have custom STAR-CROSSED. To begin with it was almost entirely susta.'ned by the Winthrops. In that pleasantest part of the city, ^en- erally conceded to be West End, stood their home- stead. An old-fashioned stone house that would at- tract no attention from the casual observer, unless bv reason of ,ts lack of all the embellishments that the modern architect so delights in. The building was darkened by age, with a low, broad piazza running across the front, and a smooth lawn bordered by f hedgerow of pmes. Here the Winthrops for nearly a generation had resided. ^ It is an established fact that nowhere is the god of mammon more universally worshipped than in Amer- Um^lA T^'"" '^'l' °^ Americans. It can safely be affirmed, however, that if the homage accorded this djvmity could be exceeded, West Enders gave the un blood and good descent must have been commendable, If only by reason of its fervor. They argued, and per haps justlyso that what their betters deemed laudable ^ew York":" 'T '^^ ^'^'^ '''''''^'^''^^- ^hus i^ KnL K , f ''"* '^^ ^'^"^^y enhanced by ts Knickerbockers, Massachusetts by the descendanf! fcvsVo^lJtf "^''\^"' ^^^^''-'^ b^its^rsTflte^ why should they not have their own social standpoint hav Tlead '"'^^^^ ^"^ ^^'^^ "^^^^ ^^ people'mus have Its leader, fh.s question of leadership was pon dered with much trepidation, until the socfal eye H (upon the Winthrops. Here at last w.. o V I ^ ^ iof a\\ fli« u^ ^^^ ^ family worthy thel ll ""''' ^^"^^ ^^^^^^ "P«" it. Old as |the hills, risme out of its Pvf^«c;„^ ^JL.-.. ..; . . |blood enough to satisfy "even ^he :Z"^:^! nch .„ worldly goods, what more could e^n taS 44 STAR-CROSSED. I i i \ demand ? Then, again, there was no blot upon the Win- throp escutcheon. The members of its house had been singularly exempt from scandal. Perhaps they were more than ordinarily righteous. Be that as it may, if those unwelcome visitors, termed skeletons, lurked in their spacious closets, they had it to boast that the luckless beings were at least docile and well bred. That the Winthrops were exclusive, goes perhaps with- out saying; that they were proud was justifiable. If society was proud of them, why should they not be proud of themselves? When new neighbors made their appearance in the West End, if th? Winthrop carriage drew up at the gate, and the Winthrop card found its way to their receiver, it immediately tran- spired that similar white squares of pasteboard began creeping in to occupy a position beside it. The soci- ety of the West End certainly achieved a triumph in choosing them to represent it. The social elevation of that community began to ex:cite the envy of the mhabitants of the most remote quarters of the city, until it came to be a Common occurrence that no sooner had an individual found himself growing rich than he turned eagerly in this direction. To live in the V/est End became a popular craze. New aspirants for social patronage argued that the pedigree of the West End's most favored satellites could bear no fur- ther investigation than their own, and that inasmuch as the capricious god of fortune had smiled upon them, why should they not bring their offering and lay it also at the feet of caste? Had not caste been placed upon a throne, and was not his shrine sacred ? The young people forming this charmed circle found themselves largely dependent upon their own cxer- i STAR-CROSSED. 45 tions for amusement and diversion. Hence it may have been their arduous efforts in this direction. Certainly they devoted their minds to little else! The afternoons were given largely to drives and calls; the mornings to china painting and gossip; the evenings were spent at halls, receptions, socials,' and cotillions. The theatre being but a poor place, and largely patronized by the masses, was of course out of the question. The lives of the society moths of the West End were spent in a continual whirl of pleasure, so much so, that the graver pursuits were left entirely to their elders, and gave them little or no concern. To be intellectual was to be strong-minded. To be popular, one only required tact, good-nature, ap- titude for small-talk and style. No one inquired, is she good, is she clever? Their first question was " Who is she ? " their second, « How does she dress ? " As Addison expressed it, they considered only the drapery of the species, and never cast away a thought upon those ornaments of the mind that make people illustrious in themselves and useful to others. The mind! What use of the mind ? They knew enough to conduct themselves in the drawing-room and how to while away the time when alone. They knew also whether olive or amber was the latest shade for bon- net strings, and were conversant with the current gossip of their set. Mrs. Winthrop, while she led so- ciety, was, like most leaders, a slave to her own cause Something of the " Grand Dame," in manner and bear- ing, her views partook largely of the old school, so much more fornial and rigid than even the modern one. It may have been this, or perhaps an uncon- * scious superiority of her own, that won for her the r,iiW STAR-CROSSED. reverence and esteem in \,hich she was held univer- sally, her own family not excluded. No one admired and loved her more than her only son. In opinions they differed materially; indeed upon some points there was a quiet feud between them. Not that it amounted to more than an occasional light remark on his part, and an aptly chosen reply on hers. No, for secretly they idored each other. The difference, and differenre there sometimes was, arose solely from one cause. Tom w ^is hopelessly honest and outspoken. He detested sham and affectation, and took a positive delight in overstepping the bounds of conventionality whenever he could. Mrs. Winthrop, as the leader of a society whose basis was conformity, and whose laws were as stringent as the laws of a nation, found this rebel in her own house a source of much perplexity. After many and repeated failures to work his re- form, she gave him up, and credited his misdemeanors to eccentricity. The society she most apprehended seemed, however, to unite in espousing his cause, for Tom was young, rich, a Winthrop, and withal a good fellow at heart. He was handsome too, with clear blue eyes that looked straight at you, good features, a well- shaped mouth with something sensitive in its curves, and a chin that indicated purpose if not lasting reso- lution. From his mother he inherited a high-bred, easy elegance of manner, bespeaking at once the gentleman and the aristocrat. He had been practising medicine in D for eight years, and his admirable qualities, and undoubted ability, had won for him not only a host of friends, but a large and lucrative practice. W Rrir Ha7/»lfrkn VtrsA Ka*ri UJc o1^,.»m»»4.~ -i. — 11 --—— — --"-- •«-.»^_« t^v.^ii ma \-ici30iiiatC at V.UiiCi^Ca The friendship that begun there was strengthened by I- STAR-CROSSED. A1 IS strengthened by time. Totally unlike in disposition, they nevertheless experienced keen pleasure in the companionship of each other. So much so, that when Tom took a house for himself it became Eric's home also. Their rooms communicated, and through the doors that now stood apart could be heard Eric's deep, regular breathing. As Tom sat meditating before the fire, some impulse prompted him to enter Eric's apartment. As he did so the sleeper awoke, and sitting up in bed called out : " Who's there ? " " It's I," replied Tom. " Thought you'd gone to bed." " No, I just came in." " What kept you so late ? " " She was quite ill, and I saw her safely to the hotel." " You don't say so ! What was the matter ? " " Nervous exhaustion." " Dear me," lying back among the pillows sleepily. " Yes, it's a great pity, poor girl ! " "So it is." " You see she ought to have rest." " I suppose so," faintly. " She is completely worn out." "Too bad!" "Well, good-night!" " Good-night." " I don't believe you have heard a word I said. I believe at this very moment you are asleep." No answer. "Eric!" Dead silence. " I knew it," bending over the bed, and walking out of the room in disgust. 43 STAR-CXOSSED. !■ f CHAPTER IV. MISS BELL. The morning following the first appearance of Generva Romaine, in the Opera House of D dawned clear and cold. Bright winter sunbeams struggled through the curtains, and flooded the Win- throp breakfast-rooni with golden glory. It was small an4 luxuriously furnished. The ceiling and walls were frescoed, and on the floor was a costly rug, in the cen- tre of which stood a carved table, spread with a rich damask cloth, whose snowy folds served to enhance the brightness of the cut gla«s and silverware. In a lafge mirror which graced a wooden riantel were re- flected two bronze candelabra and a massive sideboard filled with old Sevres and Dresden china. At precisely half-past eight o'clock, Mrs. Winthrop, followed by her two daughters and Miss Bell, who was their guest, entered the room. Mrs. Winthrop was a stately woman, with deep-set gray eyes, handsome features and an abundance of white hair, which she wore pilod in a snowy heap high upon her head. She was long past middle age, but she did not look it. for scarcely the approach of a wrinkle marred the smooth whiteness of her skin. Tall, queenly, graceful, there was a quiet ease in her movements, a subtle charm in every tone of her low, well-modulated voice, that never rose beyond a pitch not perfectly in keeping with eood Drecding. Dorothy Winthrop was a near counterpart of her mother. Tal' also, rather more slender, she had STAX-CJtOSSED. 49 gray eyes shaded by dark lashes, light wavy hair, and a pale skin offset by little color. Agnes was fourteen and said to resemble her deceased father. She was a blonde with a clear, peach-like complexion, big blue eyes and long yellow hair. Miss Bell was in a direct contrast to both the sisters. She was one of those distinguished-looking girls who, while they can boast neither regularity of feature nor brilliancy of color still possess a certain attractiveness peculiarly their h. ir of a drabbish tinge, and small, sharp-pointed fea- tures. She dressed in perfect taste. Her clothes ^seemed designed especially to show to the best possi. ble advantage her lithe, graceful figure. Her manners were charming. She always said and did the proper thing. If conversation became personal, it was she f who cleverly turned it into a safer channel. If some Miss Bell who cUme to the rescue. There was never an embarrassing pause when she was present. She always had something with which to fill in a vacuum I Her tact was exquisite. Tom once said of her, that She was the undisputed queen of small-talk. Without being particularly brilliant she was always entertaining, bhe fairly drew people out of themselves, permitting no one to remain dlent or ill at ease in her presence In disposi ,on reserved, there were no extremes in the^ t\ ;• ^^' "'^'^ ^'' ^"^"^^' '^' "^ver adored Lff.;- !t. ^^ "^^^ '^^'■'"' "^^^•" ^°^- If she possessed affections they were placid, or so they seemed. Pas- L.^ " ".' r"\ "•-"»^^^"- io nave endeavored to arouse in her violent emotions, whether of anger, sor- [row, or delight, would have been as battling against a ^Hniftiili jiii so STAR-CROSSED. stone wall. She was, as Tom expressed it, " a com- fortable sort of girl, who would never under any cir- cumstances drive a man beside himself." And yet there was a compression about her thin lips, an ex- pression in her steel-gray eyes, indicating that she was not so placid as she led people to believe. " The shal- lows murmur, but the deeps are dumb." She was in all points the reverse of Tom, which Tom's mother maintained was as it should be, as it augured their domestic peace and marital felicity. " I think," said Mrs. Winthrop, as she poured the coffee into the daintiest of hand-painted china cups, " that Tom's conduct is reprehensible. He knew that I particularly desired him to be present last evening; he was aware that you, Beatrice, expected him, yet without so much as a word of excuse he absented him- self. If it were the first time it had occurred I should overlook it, but Tom's r ?peat \ neglect of social obli- gations merits deserved reproof, and I shall not hesi- tate to so express myself when he does me the honor to remember my existence." "Dear Mrs. W nthrop," replied Beatrice, "don't be too severe with Tom ; I daresay he was engaged." " You are very forbearing, my child, but everything has its limit ; and although Tom be my son, I cannot consistently with justice uphold him in his neglect of you." Beatrice winced, and Mrs. Winthrop continued, " I am somewhat cf the belief that Mr. Hazelton is not as judicious an associate for him as I could desire." " I don't see what Mr. Hazelton has to do with Tom's lack of attention to Bee^" spoke up Dorothy quickly. Mrs. Winthrop regarded 1... elder daughter atten- tively. I ■''*T»(; STAR-CROSSED. SI " y°" P"t 't emphatically," she returned reprovingly. When I made my observation about Mr. Hazel ton. I merely suggested the thought that his bohe- mianism might communicate itself to Tom, seeing the nearness of their friendship and Tom's natural bent in ,that direction. In your place," turning from Dorothy nd again addressing Beatrice. " I would remove that influence upon your marriage. There is nothing more [conducive to the infelicity of a newly married pair Hhan the continual presence of the particular friend of he husband. I speak, my dear, from a long experience »f the world and of men. At best they are but grown- ip children, and must be treated accordingly." Mrs. Winthropwas evidently speaking with a double urpose, for althougii her words were directed to her ion's betrothc ney were clearly meant for her eldest aughter as well. The girl paled a little under them, ut flashed a grateful look at her sister, who said: "I think its a shame, Mamma, to make Eric out luch a dragon." " You misunderstand your mother. Agnes " put in eatnce, who had long since settled in her own mind ^s to how Eric should be disposed of when she and . om were married. " She merely offered me a sugges- lion which might eventually prove usef- 1." *: Oh, well," retorted Agnes, with a toss of her curly lead, ,f you look at it in that way, why then there no more to be said about it. There is no denying lat Tom is a horrible creature; but it's rather hard lat Eric should be blamed for it. How can vou sneal- crv of ■."^•.- 1 ^1- •> M landed Mrs. Winthrop. ^ "Well, it is the truth, Mamma," declared Agnes, mif 1 1 n 'i i i j 1 1 1 i 1 1 f 1 ' ; 1 1 ■ ■ 1 ; ( 1 1 j ) III! i ■ i 1 i \ 1 ti i ' 1 \ II I i 1 r if mm STAR-CROSSED. filling her cup half full of sugar. " If you wish to go anywhere ne is too busy ; if you want him home he has an engagement somewhere else ; when he promises to do a thing he forgets all about it. Now, if you don't call that detestable, why I do ! " " It was a very stupid social, I thought," said Dorothy to Beatrice, referring to the gathering which had taken place the evening before in Mrs. Winthrop's spacious parlors. Beatrice admitted that it was. " And whose fault was that if not Tom's ? " inter- posed Agnes; "everybody depended upon Beatrice, and she was worse than nobody." "Agnes," said Mrs. Winthrop quietly, "eat your breakfast." " I did not feel very well," sighed Beatrice " And who was to blame if not Tom ? " "Agnes!" " Oh, well. Mamma, can't a person talk ? " " No ; not a person of your age." " Then I'll read. Give me half of that paper, Doro- thy." The morning journal lay beside Dorothy's plate, where she from time to time stole a glance at it. As Agnes reached to take it, she waved her a little aside, saying : " Wait, I'm reading something. That actress Generva ' Romaine was taken sick last night in the theatre, and — good gracious ! here is Tom's name : * Dr. Winthrop, ,; who occupied one of the stage boxes, hastened to \itx\ assistance.' Oh, the hypocrite ! that's why he couldn't I come home. He was there in a box, and — " I " Read it, Dorothy," interrupted Agnes excitedly, "read it all!" 4i^ STAR-CROSSED. S3 p quietly, "eat your :rson talk ? '* f of that paper, Doro- '* Yes! " urged Beatrice, eager for once in her life. ^^ " It cannot be possible," exclaimed Mrs. Winthrop. "Tom knows better what is due to himself, to his mother." The moment the word actress fell from Dorothy's lips, a feeling of horror took possession of Mrs. Win- throp. She at once decided that the woman was vul- gar, and ill-bred, and a great deal more that she re- frained from mentioning in the presence of her children. The ground upon which she founded her hasty opin^ ion is, of course, not known, but it does transpire that i these prejudices are frequent with people of acknowl- edged sound judgment. Regarding no calling are Iconceived falser ideas than of the actor's. The rea- Ison for this is, that about no other calling is so much Itaken for granted and so little really known. Mrs. |Winthrop, dismayed beyond expression at the bare jmention of her son's name in such disreputable con- nection, sat for a moment speechless, then she gasped, r It is impossible! there is some mistake." " There is no mistake. Mamma, listen : " Illness of an Actress. "There was a packed house at the theatre last night to witness the first appearance of Miss Generva Ro- maine, m (as the bills proclaimed) her greatest role, ftthet. It must be confessed that for once the public lAas not doomed to disappointment, for a finer actress than Miss Romaine has never been seen in D In another column will be found a lengthy criticism 01 ner impersonation. TTnnn fi,o ^^^^i..-: _r ., Performance last evening, and immediately after the Wall of the curtain, it was discovered that the young 54 STAR-CROSSED. lady had fainted. The usual restoratives failing to re- suscitate her, a message was quickly dispatched in quest of the manager, Mr: Silas W. Slick, who was found in company with Mr. Eric Hazelton, editor of the West End Budget, and Dr. Thomas Winthrop, these gentlemen having occupied a box during the play. Dr. Winthrop, in company with Mr. Slick, hast- ened to the insensible woman. After long and ardu- ous exertions she regained consciousness, and was con- veyed to her hotel. At going to press, it was learned that she was still in a precarious condition." Dorothy drew a long breath as she concluded the article and laid down the paper. " That's all," she said, looking at her mother. • "And enough," replied Mrs. Winthrop in a freezing tone, " quite enough ! " With this she arose from the table and walked out of the room. " How angry mamma is," said Agnes, when the door had closed behind her, and the sound of her trailing gown died away in the distance. "She turned pale while you were reading." " I think she has cause to be vexed," declared Doro- thy; "Tom ought to be ashamed of making himself conspicuous, and getting his name mixed up with such people." Here, remembering Beatrice, she stopped and colored ; but Beatrice, who had quite recovered her usual serenity, reassured her by saying sweetly: " Don't mind me, my dear, I am almost one of the family, you know. Besides, I think you are all a little too hard upon i om. Being in the theatre, he could not well help responding to so urgent a call." IS she concluded the table and walked out STAR-CROSSED. / -- "Yes," interrupted Agnes, who was terribly out- spoken "but what right had he to be in the theatre when he knew that you~\ mean," correcting herself! that we were looking for him here ? " "He went with Eric, most likely," surmised Dorothy Ericagam! Bee's brows slightly contracted. Was this man always to come between Tom and her ? Dorothy's quick instinct warned her that her remark was ill-timed, and she added hastily: "^xiut it may not have been. After all, I only imag- \ '•^°"ne does." "Ah!" (Beatrice drew a long breath) " that would be Ike my Tom," she murmured sotto voce; " my Tom ! oughtn't to be so sure of him, ought I ? For he is Jot mine yet, and for all I know he never may be. There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip,' and in lis world we can be sure of nothing but death." The ist words only were heard by Dorothy. " Why, Beatrice, what has come to you ? " " I was moralizing. I do sometimes, but not often, )orothy." In precisely the same tone, "Would you |ave ermine or silver fox on a dark blue velvet ? I am favor of the silver fox myself." " Bee, what has come to you ? Flying from death to jlver fox and ermine ? " " Did I ? " laughing softly, and turning away her ice ; " at all events I wanted your advice. You have |ood taste,' you know." Bee is too proud to own it," thought Dorothy, " but IS takii-g Tom's neglect to heart. If it were pos- e I should say she might break with him, but she jld endure anything rather tt well. that, she loves him S8 STAR-CROSSED. And in her estimate of her friend, Dorothy was not far wrong. There are women whose affections are strengthenec* by being constantly kept upon the rack. If Tom had made an elaborate examination under the glass of the intricacies of her character, for the set purpose of discovering a method by which he might keep her entirely and wholly to himself, the result suggested by the experiment would have been a mode of treatment precisely similar to that which came per- fectly natural to him. As he by a happy chance struck the keynote of ,h,er nature^ she by careful observation and keen discernment gal led an insight of his. As a result of her investigation she forrr. ;d the theory that neither wit, intelligence nor beauty were requisite to excite the admiration of men, but that it requireil vast ingenuity and unlimited tact to keep their emotions alive. She often marveled why women could not see that as sweets to the appe te are cloying, so satiety is fatal to love. CHAPTER V. GENERVA. Generva fell into a deep sleep after Tom's depar- ture. It lasted three hours. When she awoke it was to find herself alone and her fire a heap of cinders. With a moan she turned wearily on her jpillow. A dull, throbbing pain racked her body, a terrible weight pressed upon her head, and her throat was parched '.% r TT »_i_ J.- 1 1.. U— ^ 4.1.:—^ -U^ witn levcr. una.uic to .^iigcr ciiuui^ «cx timsi, sue essayed to rise from the bed, but weakness overpow- ered her, and she sank back exhausted. From sheer STAR-CROSSED. 59 helplessness she began to weep. The white moon shone through the dingy little windows of the room, flooding it with pale light ; and the cold winter stars peered in with almost dazzling brilliancy. Everything was still. The street deserted, the house as silent as the grave. In the solemn and oppressive hush she could count the beatings of her heart. As she tossed restlessly to and fro, dread fancies began to weave within her fevered brain. The frozen limbs of the tree, that in the swaying wind rattled occasionally against the window-pane, seemed to assume weird proportions. With sickening dread she watched it. Its long, le?n branches curled and twisted fantastically, and anon shriveled into ghastly and spectral shapes. Slowly the hours dragged themselves away, until the thick gloom which precedes the dawn fell like a pall, and then of a sudden the day broke. * As the clock struck eight the door opened cautiously and Mrs. Slick came in. She stole noiselessly over to the bed, and started back with an exclamation of sur- prise : " Good heavens ! are you awake ? You were so sound when I left you I thought at least you'd sleep until noon. I hope you haven't wanted anything. I was going to stay with you all night, but what with the journey and excitement, I couldn't keep up to save me. Have you been awake long ? " " I have not slept much," replied Generva. "Anyhow, I hope you are better. You gave me a scare, I tell you. Lord, but you're pale! and your eyes world like burnt holes in a blanket. Are you in pain ? " " Yes, and I seem to be growing weaker every mo- < '1 f ' « '. ir '1 .,' fj r^w^: 60 STAR-CROSSED. Tot, ra'c" '"^ "'^ "^""^ '-"""^. I cannot raise the. edge'^flCett't.fieft'"'; ^'■"'"^ =-" °" "•- How do you s„;po e ' ;rr^ '.'^'« »' ="f=">s, isn't it ? advance sale, too ; but^ou mu'st? '° "'' """ -^^ - with some difficulty "T^n^'of'l ''="^^^' ''P^-Wng ^ " We wii, be rui.'^^d i ^ou don V "'"'l'" teetotally! You never seem to rj' ""^"'y- "™'"=d «If into consideratio" Tu^^t" ?/°"' ''■" y""'- and he'll steady you "n tJl T ""^ ''°<^""- ^g"'". Oh," suddenly^tememberine . ho '° "' " ^"=" "•""• in the.dressing-room"" ^' ^°" '"'' "^ « him have done it " ' ^ S""=> "f you wouldn't :f,':V'' I -y?" anxiously. "ca"r:a?pnidt"''r'°''-'-" yougoingtoUveif^oud!^-trf'°''r'" ""'^ "'« you up something. How wIL ", "™' ''" ^ng some bacon ? " ^""'"^ y"" «ke an egg and "I tell you I cannot e=.t r . ... put some water where I can reach .V' """"-P"**" cannot raise them STAR-CROSSED. 6i All right, and as soon as Silas is up, he'll come in. I'm going to have him send right off for that doctor. Is there anything more I can do ? " " You might get a maid to tidy the room a little." "I'll have one come directly. I must go to my breakfast. I'm famished! This house is Meeger by name and meagre by nature. Say, Gen, did you hap- pen to notice what a swell the doctor was ? Ef you was fly you might work him for the bill." With this reflection, Mrs. Slick stole a look into the glass over the bureau, smoothed her hair, and with a final twist of her aeckerchief walked out of the room. Generva heaved a deep sigh of relief when the door closed behind her. Once more alone she fell to thinking. The hot flush that had mantled her cheeks when Tom's name was mentioned still lingered there. But her emotion seemed in no wise strange to her She was not one to analyze her feelings, nor impart them to another. She had no confidante. All her life long she had been accustomed to keep her own coun- sel. In childhood her reticence was mistaken for ob- stinacy; as she grew older, for wisdom. It is astonish- ing how much respect we feel for the man who says the least, and with what profound knowledge we ac credit him. Generva's nature was essentially artistic She was nervous, emotional, sensitive, and keenly sus- ceptible to influence. Her habitual disinclination for expression arose solely from her lack of confidence in her own powers, and not from incapacity, as might be the^ case in one whose advantages of education were so .halted. Indeed, they had been confined solely to the theatre, but she might have been in a much worse school, and had infinitely less able instructors than the 62 . STA/iC/iOSSED. old ^hakspearean scholars, whose I.V.o plays; but she would have h^ ^ "/ *■" '"e"'"'^'- and awkward i„ a draw" '" ^"''^'^ ''"'^ ""f-^ed ■nation. Belonging to the Vlli ? ^""''' '"'°'"- her with other feelfnl" h '^",'''"' " "^"^ fa"ed to fill been consulted she wLldh"' °' '"'°'- ' """ ^^-^ except when her dltl 'callld T" '''°"" ""-"' Strangers dismayed hTr Zl ^" 7°" ""^ ^'^S'- have those who had h/r' • '^""^"'"'^d all her life to her. she ^JL,l1X ZZ'' ^l ""' "' '"' of the world or of men <;h i !, ''"'"' ""thing in her art, living foTu alo„e he".""""- "^""P^' spent in study and LdZ' i"'"'^ '"'"" "'e-'e I pUudedandaLlredrerttThe "^'"^i! "'^""^ "P" good care that their fuL ^'^ "**■■• S'''^'' took fined to the artist a '1 T' '' '*"""' ^' """ -%o„. so she resitdin atX tt" ■';:,: Tt "' not beet, a happy one F.„„T .' "'^'^ '"'e had I she was made to work I a th '"""' ''"''"■°'"' I toddled upon the stiee a^d ^.""•'f->'^"-<'W baby she I 'ittie hear't .uaklng^irfa T M^ 'sH ^'^ "" I were big, and she would not hJ^Z, f [ ' ^^"'^^ I fault, to bring them dL„ [' '°' ""^ ^''ghtest I She was not haJitu ^c, ud bTsh "' ""^"''"^ ''^^- I ing, selfish woman, an^ a hard Lkmirt^L: "g ' '"^'^ I as she expressed it, belonged to Ser kith ,™' I of hers, and the child tl.,,: i„.° ""_'""' "o"- «n ■ -heed her posi.ion:whic;;T: rf"orb™r;nr STAR-CHOSSED. ^3 viable one. She was an impulsive, ardent, passionate creature, and literally starved for the love that was denied her. Now that she had grown to womanhood, and was occupied with a profession, exacting beyond expression, this longing for sympathy and afTection was in a measure appeased. But she was nevertheless human, and there were times when utter desolation took possession of her. Art is a cold lover at best • it can satisfy the senses, but it cannot stay the wild im- pulses of the soul. Generva's art filled her life, but it left her heart empty. How empty she never realized until this moment, lying upon her bed and thinking strangely enough of the man she had seen for tVe first time in her life the night before. A longing to die came over her; to die just as she was, with her hands folded as now, and no one near to break the spell by which she was enthralled. Alas, for such hopes, no sooner uttered than dashed ruthlessly to the ground " May I come in ? " inquired a voice outside the door, and Mr. Slick turned the knob and forthwith en- tered. "Jemima !" he exclaimed, " an ice-house is warm compared to this. What's the matter with the fire ? " "It went out," gasped Generva, starting at his ab- rupt entrance. " Ain't you frozen ? " " No, I don't feel the cold much." "Dear me, that's the fever most likely. Any way there's no use having a fire if you don't feel the need of it. Fires cost money. I suppose you know that, my girl. How do you feel ? You look like a first- class ghost." " I'm better, thank you." "That's right, you got some dandy notices this c I I m -mm m 64 STA/t-CROSSED. mm !i m morning. Sick or not sick you can act just the same. You 11 be all right by this evening, resting quietly to- day, of course." " If I feel as I do now," she replied, " I shall not be able to get up. I cannot lift my head from the pil- low. I should fall if I attempted to walk across the floor." Why, Gen, you can't mean it," exclaimed Silas, ter- rified beyond measure ; " you can't be in earnest, or you are mistaken. We would be obliged to close the theatre, do you understand— close the theatre ! Mother of Moses, that would be a devil of a look-out I Ain't you been sleeping well all night ? " " No." " Didn't you acknowledge yourself you felt better ? Didn't you tell mother that you hadn't much pain, and that it was only the weakness ? The doctor will soon fix all that. I've sent for him, and he will be here any moment." He had scarcely ceased speaking before Mrs. Slick and Tom entered. " What did I tell you ? " continued Silas. " Here he is now. Good morning, doctor, I am glad to see you ; you come just in the nick of time. Here's Generva saying that she's too weak to lift her head, and a great lot of stuff, more imagination than anything else I " Tom seated himself by the bed, and for some time regarded his patient attentively. After taking her temperature, and noting her pulse, and inquiring care- fully after the most minute symptoms, he looked up, and in answer to the eager glance said : riagmation, Mr. Slick, she aijj sick. IS very STAR-CHOSSED. «s before Mrs. Slick plains of And ' ^""^ 7'^""'^ '^ ^" «^^ ^<'"^- plains of. And you can surely cure that up to-day You ve got twelve long hours-think of it, twelve , No doubt, retimed T,. ti ironically. Then chan^ ing his tone and I ic -^ hi «< n« t • / *"^"*^"a"&- remarks that you ex^ca he to perform this evening? Because, ,f such be th :a.e, we had better have a clear understanding of it now. She is threatened wi'h b" f"^' UnT' ''' '" ^" ' ^^" ^^>'' ^" ^^^ «-^-'4- Of It Under any circumstances she will not be able to play to-night nor to-morrow night, nor the balance of the week and for all I can promise several weeks TwouTd" d '" '°"' '''' '^''''^^ ^'^^ ^y OP^" on , v^wcver, tnat any medical man you mav see fif- to^summon, will agree with ™e in ™y dUgnost :!;"' "y Jve'kntTH" "''n ^'■''''' ^'"'''"S ''"'» » 'hair, r^ A- r •"' "">'• °° y"" ''"''»' 'hat means " ruin—dlre, financial ruin for me ? " be well to bear ■„ m,nd that it meansalso.Ufe or defth I caliv°?,!5 '" ".^^'^t ^^^- ''"ting to his feet dramati- cally, and seizmg his poclcet-handkerchief, " Generva M; Wh,, ^,7 "'"■ "'■'" ''" '*'■''■ Mother? Gen Idle? What would we do-what could we do? See or a^v "°K- ' '°"'' "^"' ""^ consultation busine" |or anvone b"*- ■""•• ir^- . - "uawjcss i Y / ""^ 7-^"i=cii Lu tcna ourgiri. You're eanA ugh for us ; what do you advise ? Whafs to be >e? Speak, don-t hesitate to speak. Demand any 66 STAR-CROSSED. sacrifice, and I'll make it, for her sake, for Gen's sake. Oh, Gen, if you die it'll kill me! " Here Mr. Slick's emotion overpowered. him,, and he applied his handkerchief to his eyes and wept copiously. Mrs. Slick, who had better control of hersdf,-idrew a chair near the bed and asked : " What is to be done first, doctor ? " " I must insist upon providing her with a. nurse," re- plied Tom, " one whom I can- rely upon \ to carry out all «iy instructions. If you wanted to, kill her outright you «ould not set about to do it more effectually than ' by keeping her in a room of this temperature." '^She^sliall have a fire directly," promised Mrs. Slick; j and with' her usual eye tovbusiness, " There's no reason j on earth, Silas, why we can't change the bill, and do I *As -You Like It' to-night. Blanche isn't very bad as Rosalind,, and Gertrude can easily cut out Phcebe\ and play Celia. They've all day long to rehearse,! and if they're not equal to an emergency, why let them clear out and we'll shut up shop. What do you 1 think ? " *^ It might be done," assented Silas, looking up fromj his handkerchief with something lika renewed hope. " I d:dn't think of it. I didn't think of anything! This! businesshas^ paralyzed me. My brain is omfire; I be- lieve £ I'm. going mad! you'd better leave me somel medicine, doctor;, just, feel my head. iDidyou ever! see such a raging heat ? Gad, i I'm in a fever myself.f I'm a sick man, a terribly sick man! But we might! play 'As You 'Like It ; ' your head's level. Mother. Noj I never dreamed of putting on the piece again, for therej isn t a dollar in it, so I fired that last Duke in Chicagof STAR-CROSSED. sake, for Gen's sake. 67 'What's the matter with Beezer's stur^ /ing up the hnes to-day suggested Mrs. Sh^ck, "the i?«^; has lonly got to look dignified, and Beezer's fat. He'll Iwork, and I'll hunt up the girls." .ll'hnl '!f' '" ?'^f ^"^'' '■^P^^''"S his haridkerchief, II but the embroidered corner, which he allowed to ^eep jauntily from the breast-pocket ; " I'm with you." Zl A . ; "''"''" ^^'"^ *^ ^° everything you .ant doctor, ,f you'll just stick to us and get Gen^n ler teet Spare no expense ; " grandly ; " let her have yeiythmg she needs. Whatever do yiu supposed" ^iven her the fever?" ^ ^ "She appears broken in body and mind," said Tom and exhaustion such as she has is very obstinatte, irr-' smuch as .t requires long and complete rest." Well, we're going to do all you say, if you'll just tlj . v' '".^ ^°" ^'"' ^^^*°''' ^°"'^ y'^" ? This is a lil h''!i;'^°"'* ^""^ give way," urged Mrs. Slick, taking f m by the arm and leading him to the door. '^ There'! J>o much depends upon you. Gen ain't goiti^ to die' tarsal. Do brace up ! I never saw you so shaky." Jve had : bwT' '"'"''" '"'^"' '''''-' " ' '^" y- .'Iflf !/f" ^°"' ^^"'". b^ -" -ght, and we'll show .... „ , g„ „,^ _jj^ ^^^y . j^^ j.^^^ myself." enmd them, am I going to die ? " i H <:v!jij| i! fliiiiiliili 6i STAR-CROSSED. " Die," replied Tom, " of course not ! What kind of a night did you have ? " "Miserable." " You were not alone ? " Yes, I was alone." " If I had imagined such a thing possible, I should have remained here myself." " How good you are," she murmured, smiling feebly, " how good ! No one was ever so kind to me before." "You overrate the little I have done," explained Tom lightly; " it amounts to nothing." " Let me think so at least, please, and above all, ac- cept my most heartfelt thanks." " With pleasure, on condition that you do not repeat them, or talk further on the subject. Now I must go. I don't often spend so much time with a patient ; I have too many to see through the day. Good-bye 1 " " When will you come again, doctor ? " " I will be here this evening." She sighed contentedly. " You don't like to be left by you ^elf ? " " No." " Well, in an hour I will have a bright, cheerful girl here, to nurse and keep you company. So, good-bye! Be very quiet. Sleep if you can.". She was looking up, he was looking down, and their eyes met. Both started. She, flushing and turning away her head, and he suddenly dropping the hand he| held, and walking out of the room. * * * * ^ ^ ^ It was evening of the same day. Tom and Eric ! were at dinner. The seivant had withdrawn and thevj were alone. not ! What kind of STA/i.C/iOSS£D. 69 ig possible, I should " I'm going up to see that sick ^irl " 00;^ t ^olks will be at the theatre VnHf? ^°"'' ^^^ fieved." ' ^""^ '^'^ ""'se must be re- ^ j; This begins to look interesting,' remarked Eric "Interesting?" repeated Tom- "ves ,V« o bresting case." ' ^ ' *' ^ * ^«0^ »"- " To a doctor, I suppose ? " " Exactly." ;; What's the matter, got a cold?" Yes, shghtly. I was goine to ,=>„ i,„ ku had found a verv „n%; ^' '"'»''=™'-, that nheard-ofcase 1^^! "•™ ""' ^n almost U again. Ton tTZ^^^Z^^ ^ -- our time and attention o f Tnle t^" s"""' °' trapped up in your profession if t '" y°" jelebrity, your-" P™'^'"'""-" axgurs your future Md t1^°" "■"""' "">' ''°^> =•"" '^''"•t talk so much," " They t;:; y^: T^^y ■"-» »« « canmbal crowd." iatchZrr. ''' Srasping lot, and I feel like " TomM''.'" PT «'■" '"'^y f™-" 'hem." ^' ^ Tom, this really grows dramatic. Have some tur. vr°"Jid'lrirV-""''^'P"'>'»^"" ' '^"' ^"'=' '^f"«"g to be snubbed, '• I said 7"o STAR-CROSSED. t i! fl(lliii-H the situation was dramatic, I now go farther and maintain that according to my judgment it will have a tragic termination, if that article in the morning journal found its way to your respected' mother's no- tice." "It will be deucedly unpleasant for me: if it did," admitted Tom. « "Yes, and besides there is Beatrice," suggested- Eric consolingly. " How about her ? " Tom frowned and applied himself diligently to his diiKner, and Eric went on : I "You remember that you were to spends ksteven- 1 ing with her." " You shall have the pleasure of pacifying that' young \a.dy, man amte. It was yoa inveigled me into that theatre." " Oh, Tom, don't put me at the mercy of your | haughty bride to be, she hates me as it isi" j " No, she don't ; you only imagine it," | "My learned doctor, you maybe an authority on I pictorial anatomy, but upon anatomy of the flerin (thei, female flesh) you are profoundly ignorant; I have I made a study of this species particularly; I have put! them under the magnifying glass, as it were, and the I result of my experiment is, scientifically speaking, a| success. Where you see bloom. on a cheek, I* detecti paint behind it ; where you ma'vel at the gentleness! of a, touch, I see the claw con*:caied ;in it. YoubeHevel women what they would. have you believe ; I, what myl investigation qualifies me in -being jSU re of; Nowv whati I want to convev is this, that while admittinsr MissB Bell to be your fianc^e^ and granting your oi^|>ortu nil ties for research as far as she is concerned unlimited,! STAK-CROSSED. 7' re to spends Idsteven- the mercy of your n^stiU claim to detect with my glass intricacies invisi- |bIeito,the naked eye. One of these intricacies, or [irregularities, whatever you may dhoose to call it is Mtterand^ entire abomination olme:guand on voiUa chose, on la croit" .y^uW'T ^^^ ^'""'' '^ y«" would confine course f to the English langua^. " said Tom, " though 70\i believe m no woman. " " How can I, knowing'them as I do ? " JifJ.'T^*'?"^ 2°^«thy, has she been under the glass too ? inquired Tom maliciously. "Dorothy," speculated Eric, kying down his knife Ul ! r""? ! *^'°^* ^^^'"' "^^"' I^^'-othy don't bok Altogether bad under the glass. It's a pity about er,.^. was born all right. Her training has spoiled her.'' Jed" T^'l r" '' t "^" *° ^^^^ y-'" - larked Tom, laughing as he always did at Eric's Ngaries; "however Dorothy isn^t the point at issue ■viil you.come up with me and see my patient ? " iNo I won't." ".Why?" I S«ause one in the family is enough." What do you mean ? " "I mean that this interesting case, that sasoon^grew J.Just as you i^tease; have a. potato?" Eric, will you be serious ? " \^'t ir. ^^"^ «««»"««te that .aman.df my pro- « 5*.if"^:«i t chair from tk."bf^ ' ' '"^ ""'* P""""K his "You will do nothing of ;i,e Wnrt" r>» x. . . opene. the doc. and stL b^^Se., ""^""^^ '^' And why, Madame Evesdro^per, n.., I inquire" .iJ.ked fom composedly. '"quire, •' Because mamma has sent for von an,i t brhw oj, home TK» ^ " • ^ "*^ ^ "^^^n *<> fe nome. The carriage I, at the door." never hear.ny good of them Jve. ' " '' ""'"" If I had not been aware of the fa. -f hrlnr. r i. u certainly be convinced of it n"w " s! e ' ° ^ V ing significantly at Eric '''""'' «'="<^- her loZ ''°" ""' """ ' ='"'' ^ " "« -''•d. answering "Every word! "loftily. .n:e^t:h:rsr;rr4f"""' """■■- --^ "I would advise," she retorted with superb hauteur frends7rT T" ^^'-^ ««tuL for"^"; bera°bLt%;x7at:':he:r '-- '-^^ »- a^^^ii^tenrxotiht d:ra :?sn "* ' '^"i'i'^^ • * ^«iy ne was a phik-, y,, h^x\ and pushing his Dorotlxy had vn. tndy I inquire," and I mean to le door." lall, my dear ? " w that h'steners before, I should reph'ed, glanc- ked, answering irdon on one's "perb hauteur, ides for your ' doubt much majestically 1 triumphant as he closed in perplexed t he walked ded to finish STAR-CMOSSED, 73 CHAPTER VI. TEETS. "GOOD-EVENI TG! Mother." Hat in hand Tom entered the drawing-room, where Mrs. Wmthrop sat near a centre table, busily intent upon a piece of embroidery. " Good-evening, Toqp ; sit down." ^ "Thanks! " taking a chair and drawing it near her; How IS your head? Dorothy says it has been trouble- some to-day." " It is better," looking up from her work, and for a moment regarding him closely; "I shouldn't advise you to keep your overcoat on. One is liable to colds this blustering weather." "Yes," removing it with some reluctance; "I suo pose It is just as well to be careful." She was in her most unapproachable mood. The mood he had always found so difficult to contend with. It, he thought, as he sat there regarding her "she would only take a fellow to task, instead of tr;ating him to silent contempt ! But past experience ought to have reminded him that this was not to be hoped for from Mrs. Winthrop, whose displeasure was alwavs characterized by a solemn frigidity. In a sort of .L rny lom leaned back in his chair and waited, an almost laid" ''"' '' "^"^'- ^^^" ^-^^ "P"S»^t and * ' i Ms ,..«' Nf.hJ ! ! 1. Il I 74 STAR-CROSSED. *' You sent for me, Mother ; what do you want ? *' Still no change in the calm features, still no falter- ing in the regular drawing in and out of the needle. " What do you want ? " he was obliged to repeat the question before she gave evidence of having heard it. " I do not wish to appear obtrusive," she began in her low voice, " or to interfere in an affair which I do not doubt you are fully capable of managing yourself. But " (here she paused to cownti/a stitch) "a, mother j may be pardoned some anxiety wjiere ; the, welfare of a son is concerned. Until now you have been,t>l6ased to accredit me with some judgment; may Ijiiiquirc if| your views have of late undergone a change." " No," looking abstractedly into the fire. " In that case," dr^iwing a long -silkentbread -throughl the tapestry, " I am going to presume to ofjeryourmyj advice, upon something I haye much, at hmt%< Here-j tofore you.have been pleased tQ ii»fcrw«tul tQjmyj care." "You refer to Beatrice, I suppose ?'' " Yes." " Has she complained of me ? " "Have you given heir cause?" fixing a searching] scrutiny upon him. Tom made no reply, and Mrs. Wintbr/Pptcontinuedj " No, Beatrice does not .complain .of you— on. thej contrary—" " Who does, then, may I ask ? " " I was not aware, I made an asserimn to theeffectl that any one did. I will; say candidly* thtayghj: that ll ,u 4.1 _£. ani -i--'t.a^vvS'rV«VAa4MS"PU vviL^i youri;COna«Ci. "YoH.tayc a% if I were a boy," puffin Torn -impaj tiently ; " come to the point. What have I dome? " it ! ■**«l!#iil STAK-CHOSSED. 75 fixing a seaKchingl ^ur>;cona'aci. -You have been .unmindful of what is due your family, your betrothed, and yourself." " You^^peakJn enigmas, Mother. Beso good as to explam. ^ her'^e'd/'^^T'^^'"^''''''*^ ^'°PP'"^ '^ thread her needle. "You forget what is due Beatrice, by a persistent and mexcusable neglect of her. You forLt what ,,s.due your family by dragging their name before the .public m connection with that of an actress; and you forget what is due yourself by a persistent disre- gard^of the proprieties. You ignore the social world for the companionship of a iBdhemian scribe, who sub- sists uj>on,your bounty, and who rewards your gener- osity by dragging you down to a level with himself." Having concluded .this speech, Mrs. Winthrop ap- phed^herself assiduously to her embroidery. I who had grown white about the Ijps. *' No. I .have fully expressed .myself. " "Then I,sMppo3e that our interview :is at an end ? " ^^ Yes inasmuch as re. ,ninations are concerned." m febat case, ^ood-night ! " "Are you going so soon?" She glanced up, and there was an anxious >gleam in iher eyes. ' Yes,iIam^oing." IWi^thr^'n ''T ^f """' regarding her witlh all the I ^/nthrop pride and resolution .in his face. And y^n Jiave no reply to mafce me? " laying her |wc.k as... and thinking how handsome he was fn his 4DnIv this fei»H*- T ^•'" '-—' ■ - - Itrire a«ri 'f« " / '" " ••^*« "^>' ^o «*£> ^uiyduty .to Bea- I'^mv r f ^^r"'"*'^'^^"'-^ I^^ ^"t as far ^smy p .fessional dpties are concttrned, there I must c u. ^r*% n^ ! ! k i'l;. !1 llliilli 76 STAR-CROSSED. insist upon beinp my own arbitrator. Regarding! them I cannot Dicui; intf""ference even from you.. I have done nothing that you should take exception to. By the merest accident I went into the theatre. The rest you know. A sick woman needed my help and I gave it to her. I would do the same thing again, without hesitation." " I see you mean to persevere in your own course in spite of all I can do or say, and that I shall have to 1 accept the situation as best I can. Well, be it so. But, iresolutel /, I will not have any further publicity | in this afiair, nor the linking of \ uv name evei. in the most remote degree with that of a profession woman." It would be impossible to convey the amount of^ scorn Mrs. Winthrop thf ' into the word " woman." " How cm you be so narrow," inquired Tom, twist- ing his musiache angriiy. "Good heavens ! I never knew I vou to make ch a ridiculous observation before." " Let us not discuss the matter further, i y son," she said icily. '. ,s you ple'>'e," taking, up his hat and coat. " Is Dorothy i th parlor ? " " I think so," naming her work " I am ^/ r\^ ir to her for a momttit, and then I shall | stop and q do n^t ! take cold. And, Tom, ring for some coal before you I go, ivill you ? The wind has surely changed ; it must ^"^^A. 3. bitrator. Regarding e even from you.. I Id take exception to. :o the theatre. The leeded my help and e same thing again, I your own course n that I shall have to i an. Well, be it so. ny further publicity | your name evei. in I at of a professioi. ivey the amount of' he word "woman." inquired Tom, twist- :avens ! I never knew I ervation before." urther, ly son," she] lat and coat. lent, and then I shall STA/i-CROSSED 77 her brow. Be sure vr»i! do '---* me coal before you I y changed ; it must be easterly, I think, and easterly winds are so treach- erous." She shivered slightly and drew her shawl closer about her, and Tom having done as :;he re- quested, without any further observation walked away. Beatrice had spent a trying day. Upon her return home she found, to he unspeakable annoyance, that her father, who rarely concerned himself with her, had ' n the notice in the mornin- journal, and seized upon the occasion to express an opinion regarding it. He was about stepping into his carriage when Dorothy drove her to the door, but he followed her into the house, as if in no wise concerned whether he reached his office before noon. "1 suppose you are aware that you precio s Tom has been getting his name mixed up with a theatre WO' n*s ? " he said brusquely. u seem to forget. Father," she replied haughtily, "that Toin is a physician, and in that capacity is often forced into the attendance of even such." "Physician be d ^!" (Mr. Bell as not always choice of his lan^fuage when ruffled) ; " was 1 the cnly one in town ? " "No; but he was the only one upon ihe spot." " Well, you want to keep your eyes open. If he in- tends to connect himself with this class of people, why the sooner I know it the better. I'm not going to leave half a million of my hard-ear-ed money for him to squander. So you'd better see t > it." "I daresay Tom is no^ alt gether dependent upon your bounty," i terposed Beatrice, shrugging her ohouldcis, "and, esides, you take a good deal for granted." " Perhaps I do," grimly, " but that's my way." c; J si illil «- I i'lm 'i! .nil il! i if 'mW\ ;» STA/l-C/lOSSED. " It's a very bad way, and I would advise—" " See here, Beatrice, I won't have any more of this kind of talk," interrupted Mr. Bell, "and ypu will bear in mind what I say, if you please." " It isn:t so agreeable that J am liable to forget it," she replied bitterly. Then, "Is there anything else you have to say to me ? " " No, I've had my say," he retorted, opening.the door and springing into the cari;iage. Mr. Bell was what is terined a successful man; that is, he, was very clever in speculation, and entirely en- grossed in amassing more and more gold to swell his already well-filled coffers. A h^rd m^n but a lycky one. A man who had no compassion for those less fortunate than himself; who could forgive critrie rather than poverty. He would have liked a richer husband for his daugh- ter than Tom Winthrqp (social distinction being of no import to him), but Beatrice ,ha4 said: "I will have no other," and he knew from, the compression of her lips and the gleam of her ,eyes that she, meant it. So he gave up the idea of linking her fortune wit^i one equally great, bwt he.did not cease to i:qgret it. Beatrice heaved a deep sigh pf relief when be had driven away. Truly he was^gcowing more trying every day. As she stood thei:e alone for a moment, some- how the thought. of her de^d ipother came i^ito her| mind, and she shuddered slightly as she .req^lj^d the >smftll,,p^le wom^n who.had.bQme so myp|i,^;^ Jjornej it, so uncon^plaini^^gly. Hr. Bell's married I ? ha$I ,been a. failure; or so he did not hesitate to inform the meek little -wppj^p an unfortunate fate threw in his,pal;h. Jn ever^^thlng she STAR-CROSSED. 79 :ed, openingthe door lad been a disappointment. He expected she would [bear him sturdy children. Alas! she bore him but one jirl, and his contempt for her increased every time he jlooked at it. He never paid the slightest heed to the jchild, until one day, for some trifling offense, he struck Iher, and she turned like a little fury upon him. Then Ihe grew fond of her, and repeatedly declared that she jwas worthy of being his child. He never opposed or jset his will against hers from that time on, and when lin her early girlhood his wife died giving birth to a jcripplcd boy, he hugged Beatrice closely to himi and jsaid he had but one child. And the little boytwascom- Isigned to the servants' care. No one believed he wduld llive. At ten he was no larger than a child of five, at jwizen-faced little creature, with pale, hollow cheeks, long, yellow hair, and great -supernatn rally brilliant eyes. His nurse called him "Teets," and the name- clung to him. Mr. Bell did not think it worth his while [to find a better one for his son. He never walked,- but jhe could^ge his hands, and by means of them dragged his shrunken .'frame along. Teetss face was beautiful., jto look at. His soul seemed to shine in his soft, blue jeyes, and a whole world of thought was reflected in |his pure countenance. He never complained or longed to be with other boys: but he would sit at thcTvindow and watch them at their sports, and clap his little hands and laugh merrily at their pranks. He had a voice like an angel, and could smg the nrost wonder- ful songs. No one knew where he learned his strange melodies, but he once tld Tom, whom he loved bet- [ter than an v. one el fhat <-li<>ir /»o«%^ *.^ x.t^ i_ i-;_ r - r ^- -,T-.i5i-j t%5- iXIIII" iH liiS dream at night. Mr. Bell never manifested aught- [save aim indifference for him, and Beatrice, in hef ^ ^ m TTiT I iiiiiiiiiii II mill 80 STAR-CROSSED. liil! daily round of pleasure, did not find much time to de- vote to his care. In fact, she rarely gave him a thought unless he chanced to get in her way, when she would say: Go to Leontine, Teets," and the next moment forget all about him. And the child never questioned such a command; he would obediently drag himself off, not to the nurse whose harsh voice grated upon '^'Y'V i "-^ '"""^ '^"'^^^ '°'-"^'- ^here, unheard, undisturbed, he could sing. What a world of melody awakened at the first sound of his voice! Harmoni- ous strains, that followed one upon another, rising, falling, gaining in depth and sweetness, and then like a gentle sigh, dying into silence. 'At the first note the darkened room would fade, and a swift rush of fragrant wind transport Teets to a land of eternal sum- men All around stretched gardens with smooth vel- vet swards, tall, spreading trees, and beds of a thou- sand sweetly smelling flowers. Brooks like silver lines wound round in many a turn and curve, and en th^ emerald banks flitted fantastic beings, half fairy, half mortal, aglow with golden sunbeams. To the soft cadence of the music they stepped in rhythmic meas- ure their gauzy forms moving rapturously in the maze of the dreamy waltz, until the last strain dying, they floated away, and were lost in the gathering gloom For the song ended, he awakened to find that he was I still in his dark corner alone. Left as usual to himself o-day he sat before the nursery fire, gazing intently mto the red coals. Without the trees were white with snow, and the wind whistled shrilly through the ice-covered boughs. Teets shivered and crept closer I w...«a .nc warmtii oi ih^ grate, and at that moment JBeatrice came in. *'9wBlfl STA/i-CJ?OSS£D, Sx " Well, Teets," she said as she sat down near him " how are you this morning ? " ' "Pretty cold," he replied, stretching out his thin hand; "cold as ice!" "You must not go too near the fire," cautioned Beatrice absently. '' The fire is warm," murmured Teets ; " I like it." " It don't like you, though," twirling her engagement ring round and round upon her finger, and thinking what a big diamond it was. "And if you go too close It will burn you." " I shouldn't mind," persisted Teets, clasping his knees with his arms, and resting his chin upon them: because then I should live in some of those beautiful red rooms in there." " Now, see here, I'eets," recalling herself, and speak- ing severely, " don't talk like a simpleton. Keep away from the fire, as I tell you. Where's Leontine ? " " Gone, I guess." " She has no business to leave you alone." " But I like to be alone. I can't think when Leon- 1 tine s here. She is so big ! " ^^ "You shall not be by yourself," decided Beatrice I and whether you like it or not, Leontine must stay nere. Don't you want to take a drive ? " "No, I'd freeze." "You can do just as you like about it," r...ig to go but remember, when Leontine comes back, tell her to stay here; and keep away from the fire or you will burn yourself, and then I will have all the trouble with I you. With this Beatrice sought her own apartment, and [was soon lost in moody thought. She had not seen i\ 61 82 STAR-CJiOSSED. ml !li!i niJIilin Tom for over a week. Never demonstrative or assidu- ous in his attentions to her, she was far too sensible a woman to exact what should have been fi'eely given, and was, by reason of her engagement, rightly hers. But no woman likes to be overlooked. Indifference is very hard to bear. To be loved was not all essen- tial to her, though she had secretly chafed under Tom's treatment from the beginning. But when it transpired that others than herself noted his delinquency, then the aflfair began to assume a serious shape. Mrs. Winthrop had not hesitated to express a decided opinion upon the subject*, and seeing that she had noticed it, how many more of her friends and acquaintances ? Society, so eager for gossip, might for aught she could tell, be busy even now with speculation. She- grew white at the bare thought. What should she do ? How set about to discover the truth ? There seemed no prac- tical way beyond awaiting further developments, and* fortunately for her, she knew how to be patient. Nu- merous callers claimed her attention during the balance of the day, and she found herself looking intently- into the faces of each and every one, in the vain hope of i seeing something of her fears reflected therein. She was prepared to meet it with the bravery of a libn if ifc came, but nothing occurred to call from her aught save forbearance. When Tom came that evening, he stumbled over Teets in the hall. He was very fond of the boy, who bestowed upon him a wealth of affec- tion in return. He now stooped down and lifted him ^ up in his arms. Carrying him into the room, he seated him comfortably on his knee. ' Weil, Teets," he said gently, stroking the long yel- low hair. STAR-CHOSSED. 83 ing the long yel- " Well, Tom," replied Teets. " How are you ? How do you feel ? " " Happy." "Happy! Why?" " Because you came." " You like me to come, then ? " "Oh," drawings deep breath and fastening his great eager eyes upon him, " so much ! " "And that's a great deal, I infer. Do ,you love me Teets?" " Better than God ! " " How's that ? " "I can see you and I can't see him. God is so far away from where I live." Tom kissed him and changed the subject. " What have you been doing to-day, Teets ? " "Oh! looking in the fire." " What did you see in the fire to look at ? " "Pictures; and I made songs about them, too." " Let's have a song." "No,",putting hi3 fiqgers to his lips, " fqr Beatrice would come, and J ghoul^ be ^eqt away," " you like, to be with me, Teets ? " " I like it the best thing in tihe world !" ^ "You shall. be, some day, when ,Bee and I are mar- ried; and I am going to take you over to Europe to a gre^t dqctor there, and see if he can't think of a, way to ,e|iable you to walk around on your feet. You ,wovUd .be, glad, of .th^t, Teets ? " " Is the doctor like you, Tom ? " " Nicer _bv far." "WiUitbesooii?" "A few months hence." 1"' 84 STAH-CHOSSED. (ii|ll!||l.,,/jl|lll! I'i li"": ■'" . M.I ^1 \'\ I'll I 11 1 I ) I'M a' < ,'Biiill 1(1, li i'i|ii|!f| " Is it a real promise, Tom ? " "A real promise!" " And you won't forget it ? " " Forget it ? no," promised Tom, little thinking what good cause he should have to remember it when the time came, which it did later on. " Do they take boys who have no legs in Heaven ? " asked Teets, pursuing his own train of thought. " They take all good boys in Heaven.'' " Are you good ' " " Fair from it, my lad." " Then I hope they won't take me there ; I want to go with you when I die." Tom laughed, and at that moment Beatrice came in. '' Why do you hold that heavy child? " she asked. "Heavy?" replied Tom, rising and shaking hands with her; " I wish he were, poor little chap! " " He ought to be in bed. Leontine is waiting for him. Come, Teets." ^ "I will carry him up," offered Tom, half strangled by the little arms which fastened themselves tightly round his neck, " and then he will be satisfied." " It is ridiculous for you to be so annoyed. A ser- vant can do just as well." " Teets don't think so— do you, Teets ? You see " in answer to another hug, "Teets has good taste. 'l commend his judgment. Come, my boy, don't choke me. There, that's better. Now, let's be off!" Where- upon Tom carried him away, holding him tenderly in his arms. Beatrice never appeared to better aHvarsta.-r^ fi-.-.=-. she did on this particular evening, or so Tom thougl^t, as they sat chatting pleasantly together, ^^he was e there ; I want to STAR-CJiOSSED. «s looking her best, too, and whatever her doubts, nothing in her manner betrayed them. He never before found her so agreeable, and her charming frankness led him to open his heart and speak freely of all that had oc tX'H « " !!l ^.'^f ?' ^^'^^""'^^ "S^^'" ^he main- tamed, and had all her sympathy and support, and must never hesitate to do as he thought best, under any circumstances." She inquired into every detail and expressed great solicitude for Generva. When she touched so feelingly on the sick girl, Tom actually felt himself conceiving a tenderness for her ; and what wonder, when she entered so entirely into his views? If he thought her a comfortable sort of girl before he bought her doubly so now. Her gracLsness e'ven extended to Eric, that most deplorable of culprits, and she went so far as to find an excuse for the part he had played in the little drama. Tom never commended sion. What a wife Beatrice would make for him! U CHAPTER VH. THE FIRST ACT IN HER DRAMA. The Ac ae i'umatic Combination sustained a severe nr.i; T'?- '" '""^ '■""''' °^ ''' ''''• Notwithstand. ing all the . fto.ts of Mr. Slick and his thorough^^oing mo her. the performances were but sparely attended Holaers of tickets returned them and demanded back their monev. and in ^onc^^..^.,^^ _i-.,-t^ _ . .. ^'^ ,„-„. 1, ' ' , "" "^ --------i«t.i;„^ ui mis 5,i ia«».,j:, ii j^auS'y, ii you iike. it is for thought, you know, and I would be very glad to feel that you would keep me a little in your memory when d m ■tM iff 11 88 STAJi-CJiOSSED. I am gone." Her voice fell to a whisoer p«h i, handed him the flower. ^ ' ^""^ '^* thlgrt'ohrseU-K^^^^^^^ ""^""^^' ^°-'- ^"}r:^ft;:i=^^^^^^ dazed impulse' she rose to her feet, but she was Terv weak, and as she would have moved from W J ! ^ -Isive^rembling seized her. S^^ ^.^:::; limb. Tom rose also. He had paled at si^ht 0^ emotion. For a moment he stood irreso Ltf as i no^ quite certain what course to pursue- th^n -i , decision he ™ade a .ove iorZZn^Z:^:::^, h s arms drew lier gently back into her chair A, T did so the door opened and Eric entered ^' i knocked twice," he declared- "if „^ j-j , nerself upon the mstant, and welcomed the new corner rt:ssrh:rri;r:r:„ ---= ^_;: D,d you know I was writing a play," she said to We hcived yoTu::;^::^ZiJ^^v''''' Shouldn't you ? Well I am t k. ii '^ *_•_•;: ^ " « vvcii, 1 am. 1 began the fir-f a.-*- " Indeed ! let's hear it.'* I'hisper, and she STAR-CROSSED. I «9 J.n> fi l^'V '^.''°'''^' '' '' ^^"""^""y crude-besides it isn t finished. You did not suppose that I could write an act m a single night, did you ? I have only begun to map out the plot." ^ ^ 'I did not know." 'Yes, you did. You knew perfectly that such a thing would be impossible." "Did I?" Hon'Tr.- r? ^ul ^^''^ "°* *^' ^"^^* ^^'^h ^" "»«• You don t think I shall succeed." "I don't think any woman can succeed in writing a good play— at least they never do. " But I have such an excellent plot." ''Excellent plots don't always make excellent plays " You are very discouraging." " Not at all. You must not think so. On the con- trary. I am much interested in your project. Do you mean to play m this piece yourself ? " " If it does not verify your prediction, and turn out hopelessly worthless, I mean to enact the title-rdle." Let s hear the plot." " Not for the world ' " "Why?" ' , " Because I am afraid of you." ^JI^I assure you I am perfectly harmless; I leave it to Tom all this while had been very distrait. He en deavored to appear natural, and follow the conversa- tion, but Eric readily perceived his abstraction and seized uj>on the first^pretext to propose their d;:rr with ^rr ."'"'^n^'" ^^"^^'-v^ s..verai visits in company But he did It with a motive. He did not propose that t ^^' l< 90 sr^/i-csosi££). Tom should be compromised if l,e co. I l,elp i, which he thought I,e could, by watching the yrowth'oT he .nt.m.-, y, and stepping in and pulting an eld to it ^f occas„.„ required. I, cannot be said t! "he took mton. kind or way. but^'l'^l^^hr Lr«t II without a moment's hesitation r ,fh,.r , '"'"''■^ "^^ tion with his Wend should avegn te"to" """"■ to the latter's discredit. He scentedsl X^T^Z a.rn h ,,.^ desire toget Ton. away. He wouW hed th/h u '""'' "" ^"^i^"- When they hed the house, however, and were sitting o- -r their 01^:?^'"';"' '"-"'y '•"""de, Tom b g:" Hrrte7m"ed"°^^;rbr:,''-,-„:^^;x many others which had taken place betweenT. actress and himself. He confL^d to b"ng mrr^.^f crested ,„ her than he had ever been in any one be' fore but he could readily account for this. The nature" of her position bore upon his sympathies She " dependent upon unsympathetic rnd'grtping people paid 1 ,,erali;,„, he^ai^trn:^. " ThryTe'rlulht' to keef tht^hTd" '■'""'"^ ■"y='"io„s':eason ^i^'he"] mvster'vt/tr:j,T.'.!""V-- Neither the | M'r, tji.vt I -"-.-""^ ""' = o. any consequence to " Mrs. Slick, but the quarterly payments we«, and so STAIi-CJiOSSEn. 9» Iqng as the\ came regularly to hand, neith -r the one nor the other suffered. Jut when seve ^1 months went by, and the allowaiu e ceased, things y seri( us, and it looked as if the child would havt . bear the pen- alty, for Mrs. SlJck decided to deliver up her charge to it«5 natural guardians, whether they liked it or not. Its natural guardians, however, had disappeared and left n« race, and she never succeeded in finding them, but she did succeed in turning her charge to a profita- ble account. Tom went on to say that the girl under these circumstances could not be other than very un- happy. Indeed, she had not hesitated to confess as much to him in one of their long talks, and alarmed him not a little ^y saying: " I hate ' ties by which I am bound. If I were only free 1 might shape my own future." There as )mething so ea nest and yet so childish in her words, chat he forthwith proceeded to read her a lectur\ He had said: "Do you look far enough ahead to realize what being free means? do you know what your true position would be ? Listen, and I will tell you. You would be alone, with neither relatives nor friends to care for you, deficient in the knowledge and experience requisite to contend with life; and worse still, lacking the physical strength to endure its hardships. You h Ave heretofore lived within your art, and Idealjst that you are, while you may have formed a theory as to material things, you cannot possibly have arrived at a practical understanding of them. This was just what r said to her, Eric," declared Tom. Agood deal of puffing followed. After a lono silence Eric asked : " Is that all, Tom ? " I.; IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I lii|2|8 125 iM mil 2.0 lU IL25 i 1.4 1.6 y. f / ^ ^ ^v^- y ra. _x 1- • _ rilUiyglcipiUL Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.V. MStO (716)872-4503 %^ 1 V qv \\ ^v !c 9« STAX-CP.OSSED. "All what?" sharply. "All there is to it ? " " Certainly it ij. What do you mean ? " "Nothing; I merely asked for information." think :rif;"'°" have the information what do you "Oh, as to that," moving uneasily in his chair, "I hmk your friendship is in danger of carrying you too far if you're not careful." -^ & J' " I have not the slightest wish of carrying it beyond a practicd plan, by which a friendless wom^n may be served. Of course I could not hope to accomplish much smgle-handed. Our folks are so confoundedly prudish, whatever I should do would have to be done without their knowledge, and then, if they were to find me out, where would I be ? " "In deep water," replied Eric, stretching out his long legs, and thrusting his hands into his pockets. There can be no two opinions about that. It is very easy and Quixotic for a fellow like you to do the grand benevolent by a friendless young girl in theory or in books, but it IS risky business in reality " W i'^K T '^^f ' ' "^"P^"^ "^'°" y°" *° '^» "^e how it loirce^" '^^ '^''"'- "^''" ^'■^ ^ "^^" °^ '^' S^^\ my creditors have remarked that I am some- what endowed with that quality," retorted Eric, " but I am not sure it can be of any use to you. This is an exceptional case. Now, if it were a horse, or a cow or a dog, or even a brick house, that you wi^.ed to dispose of, I don't doubt but with my characteristic increnuitv T cli/M.u c^j ^. J' ^"«»'«*^icrisnc „ -.^. ....,„^ „,,^ ^ „ -j^. ijutawoman. I can't jump m and make way with such. That is your busi- STAR-C/iOSSED. 93 ness rather than mine, I should say. What do vou think?" -^ " I think we ought to take her from these people." " That would certainly be a melodramatic proceed- ing on our part, though, I suppose, I am a deep enough dyed villain to accomplish an abduction. But— and now comes the great question— say I succeed in carry- ing out my dark deed, what would we do with her our- selves ? Excuse me. The more I think of it the more I dislike mixing myself up in the aflfair." " Then you see no way ? " " None, unless—" "Yes, unless— " " One of us might marry her." " Marry her! are you in earnest ?" Tom jumped up hastily. " I am ; although upon second thought I don't see how that could be arranged. In the first place you can't, and in the second place, I would rather not." Tom resumed his seat and drew another cigar from his pocket. " What s/mU we do ? " " I am blest if I know what to propose," continued Eric, puffing away at his pipe, " but I shouldn't think it a bad idea to take Dorothy into our conference. She is the one clever person I know upon whom we can rely." " She is, for a fact," agreed Tom, " and you do her no more than justice when you say it. But, unfortunately, mother has influenced her, as you are yourself aware." " No matter; Dorothy is all right at heart- I'd stake a good deal upon her," reflectively, " and it takes a woman to deal with a woman, anyhow." I i If 4 m Q 1 1 94 STA/i-CHOSSED. it is very "What do you think about Beatrice? SI sensible, and I !:now she isn't biased " "We won't trouble her about this affair, though " observed Eric drily. " When I said ,> f»,«L. "^^' to dMl w.fK , vvnen 1 said it took a woman to deal with a woman, I meant there are women and " Ko» will, you mean. She and I. don't speak ais w,. pass by, just now. That is, I do and she don't BUt .a our best plan at any rate. However, C don' let this Generva Romaine take too sttt>ng a.Hold.uoon your sympathies. Remember, you are L mortal in caL u^r "° """"="'••■' "ntmued smoking Ending: ""'°""^"- "" ''"««"«<' '""-th ™17r" '^ "•"»"«"« apt to have this kind'of. svm- pathefc attack once or twice in the course oftCr .ves; warm-hearted fellows like you, particularlv, artd he disease ,s somewhat comparable to the smairt^x 'ZTlTi e '"•";"'^'""' '^^^^ itsmarS: di^a?/ {'"'8'' ^"^ ''*™ '» «'=»1 Wit!" no or. dmary woma«, either, and this is one of the complicl "stLdf "''"^"".^ "^'"^ "'" '"^ ^-tisl'^sl^a Instead of a pracfcal Dorothy, or a worldly Beatrice we have an ardent, hot-blooded Italian girljtm sfl and pale upon the surface, but deep-ffettLd^ur' bulent beneath. There are deaths in tTr e^i ^h' "h enough; passion, ooetrv rnr«o«..^ i-i-.. . . ^ ment, love and despair, are all singularly and^;;- •ice ? Sht is very s affair, though," it' took a woman e are women and nan. That*s not I will bring Dor- it all over with STAR-CHOSSED. 95 fusedly mingled there. I tell you, Tom, the nature that those eyes reveal cannot be dealt lightly with. It is all extreme. It may be none of my business, but you asked my opinion, and I give it for what it is worth. Be warned in time." With this Eric lighted his pipe, which during his long speech had gone out, and relapsed into silence. Tom said not a word. m m lon't speak ais we she don't: Biit ?ver, Tom/ don't ong a Hold 'Upon B but> mortal/' itinued smoking :eeded iiotwith- is kind 'of' sym- ! ccurse of their »articularlyv arid > the small-pox, marks behind. Jal with no or- f the coniplica- $cientist's skill. >rldly Beatrice, an girl; calm, ep-f retted, tur- «er eyes which nto then^^long :les3 abantion- arly and con- CHAPTER VIII. HOW IT ENDED. The principal members of the Acme Dramatic Combinatipn w..re assembled in the parlor of the Mee- ger House, in response to a call issued the night be* fore by the stage manager, at the instigation of Mr. Slick. They sat in a group near the centre table, deep in speculation as to what would be the upshot of the conclave. Mr. i Randolph, as the leading man, figured conspicuously among his fellow, artists. He looked worn and considerably the worse of his two week§' work, and' there was an unusual: fire in his eyes. In a word, Mr. Randolph was justly indignant. He had re- hearsed continually almost from morning until night ; he had poured tender epithets into the ears of an unresponsive mistress; he had prompted the Juliet and the Rosalind, until he> found himself mixing their Imes with his own. He was called upon to loan almost -._-_. _.^....„j._ aiuitic uj 1W3 vvaruroDC to CiOtne mi- pecunious royalty, and wcrse than all, during his gladiatorial contest with the wrestler, in the first act t^j L . fit I iilll! 96 STAH-CJiOSSED. I i!|!iii«in;TiWfpiM|| pick up the front of a m.rK , "'' ^"^ '^^^^pand !?.-siri;;:fa 'fas combat aside, he seizi^rf^h.^ !. ""* *'"'"<'= »' its equaibriu;„'Y„T e^Jir^Sr"^' '''''''' and faced his adversary Th, n a ""'" *""«<' broidered piano cotrrnd ^ItC^i^J^^fr a moment a picture of fallen greatness bu/ mg, assumed his original lofty! r a^H ^^ ,J i"""'" • ''''"'J' "-"gh the m'idst of lllLT^h pf^'stt t?^"; disappeared in the palace eardenr-rlf ''""'' but one of a series of'disaste^: i„ "hich Mr R H 71 fig-red conspicuously; and when Ii ^ "^^"dolph Da«»>H <.-j " salary day came and passed and no pay was forthcomine he felt h^? a and dissatisfied beyond all expressiof ^''■'''' To my mind," he was sayine as Mr n— tragically into the room /"!,? *''^- ^""f stalked Slick isn't worth a do°Ian' Now I f!™"^ ? «" '^"• pose to work for nothing and^'ifV ^ ^° ""' P™" stop right here where I am'" """ "^ ^^^' "^ "'^ asStZro?st::fh"'''"'^''" "^ ^°-"'"='' his favorite cS,lrdre;\%~rhrpTckY An outsider casuallir r,u^ • -^ '^ pocket. -.Of the drlmtt^l^^re^-- uXlT various attitudes, nartou., .... ,.,!^^^ ^y *"«»«" characters they we7e '::^ J^on 7 '''^ /''^'^^ °^ *^« / were cdiied upon to perform upon the STAR-CJ^OSSED. 97 stage. They seemed to carry their illusionary great ness along with them. The noble Duke was out at elbows but there was an air of royalty about him notwithstanding. He sat rigidly upright in a cracked bottom chair, his arms folded impressively across his massive chest, lacking only the gilt paper crown to stamp his august sovereignty. There was undeniable pathos m the thought that this mighty ruler of nations, this thrice-crowned monarch, was forced to the neces sity of handling baggage and running properties for" the niagnificent consideration of twelve dollars a week and his board. What wonder that air of noblesse ? Was It not his nightly office to hurl fierce invectives rV?5- "^ f ""^ ^"""^^^ '"""•^'^ ^ P^^haps he had de- uded himself into the belief that he was indeed the king or emperor he impersonated. More unlikely things could well happen. Mr. Beezer was not alone m his, taking the shadow for substance. His fellow followers were all more or less imbued with it Thus It was, though reduced to dire straits by the nonpay- Sn^ 'n'"!^' '^"■' ^"' "°'^'"^ ^^J^^'^d '" their beanng. On the contrary, there was melodramatic heroism mingled with defiance plainly visible upon the several countenances Mr. Beezer conducted himself fen Mr v'"""" '^' ^^^' ^'^^'-^ '^' '"^^ble palace fell. Mr. Vernon retained the sarcastic leer of the jes- Mr p '\f "/^ ^^ '^^' P"^'leged person's effrontery. Mr. Rush s features vividly recalled his /acgues of the crest of Arden, and Mr. Randolph united to the dash and grace of Orlando, the kindling ire of the wrestler's combatant. The '.dies were equally distinguishable s^fa'Tn TTlu ' '^" ^°""^ "P°" '^^ horse-hair sofa, m much the sa^.e position it was her habit to I I ( i- r' » F 98 STAH-CROSSED. Strike in "The Lady of Lyons ;'• and Gertrude, proud of her promotion from soubrette to juvenile, assumed a dignity perfectly foreign to herself, but quite in keep- ing with her present place in the company, "Randolph is so hasty," she murmured, glancing oyer^ at Mr. Rush, who growled out in reply that he didn't believe in kicking a man when he was down. With his opinion Gertrude immediately coincided. " None of us are starving," she drawled out lazily. " No," put in Blanche, " and there is no use in throw- ing away dirty water until we get clean. I say we stick it out ! What's the use of going back to New York now, even if we could get there, which we can't ? There isn't a possible chance of an engagement, and jobbing don't pay. I've tried it and I know." " So have I," agreed Gertrude. " I say stick to Slick. It's a cold day when he gets left ! " "You can bet ycur life it's a cold day now, then," said Mr. Beezer, applying a cotton handkerchief to his brow. " You don't look as though you were suffering from its effects," retorted Gertrude. "Talk is cheap," moralized Mr. Vernon, "but it don't put money in our pockets. I suppose, Blanche," with sarcasm, " there is a bare possibility of your be- ing obliged to pay your board next summer ? " ^^ "Well, I don't ask you to do it," returned Blanche, and m spite of anything you say, I mean to help Slick out if I can. For a few weeks at least." " Well, damn me if I touch another trunk ! " shouted Mr. Beezer. " Shut up ! " roared Mr. Rush, who had a sense nf the proprieties. " Don't you know there's ladies present ?" t say stick to Slick. ere suffering from STAH-C/iOSSED. " I guess the ladies have heard worse," sneered the irate Beezer with a frown. arZH ^' 1' ' '^7 t?'"'' ^"^'" ^"y ^^'•^^ ^h"e I'm "Bravo -^. //' """> '^^'""'"^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^'n^^elf. . Bravo •' cned Gertrude clapping her hands. ^ Be quiet ! commanded Mr. Randolph. uiJaZ f^''^T" '^''^' ^^••""&«on. leave him alone " pleaded Blanche. " what's the use of kicking up a rum- Z^' ' '°"' *''"' "^'^'^ ^-^ - bad?y cons de" ing the circumstances, and for all we know things may come out right in the end." ^ ^ "Yes," said Mr. Randolph, "they stand a good chance of coming out right, particularly if you go on tne part from beginning to end." " It's a pity about you. How many cues did you give me, I wonder ? " ^ "None I admit, but I was too busy supplying you with words to think of cues." VV^V^ug you ;; You were as shaky as I was, Mr. Randolph." " Opinions differ, my dear," with calm superioritv . and then, it isn't quite fair to expect a juven^ t^' jump m at a moment's notice and play the {eads." She pleased the public anyway." put in Mr Ver non, championing her. /. P ' m ivir. ver- it "TlVit ^"""^^"^^ 'he past week demonstrated It, replied Mr. Randolph. so m"ch ot?"' 'n^^"- own drawing power that we hear ° "i«cn of ? inquired Vernon. ^ha^non'lTo of ""n' "° '^^^^ *° '^''^ ^' Possibly had none to offer. Drawing himself ud he .Jd • ladies present?" ■onerefu iou people can do as you have a mind to; I for aiary be forthcoming to.dav " ^ I'M! i r icoming to-day 266 ^^iTAR-CROSSED. "And so do I," echoed Mr. Bee'zer. "And I," struck in Vernon. " Three cheers foi' the strikers ! '* exclaimed Blanche. " Hurrah! " "What in the devil's all this racket about?" in- quired Mr. Slick, appearing at the door with his mother. " Shut up ! Who was that shrieking ? " " I," admitted Blanche. "Your voice seems to be gaining in power," with withering scorn, " and there was room for it." " Thanks ! " in no wise abashed. One could see at a glance that the manager of the Acme Dramatic Combination was considerably ruffled and that his mother was in much the same condition' She flounced into the room after him, never so much as vouchsafing a good-morning. "Ladies and gentlemen," began Mr. Slick, throwing back the lapels of his coat, " I beg you will give me your undivided attention, and I will endeavor in as few words as possible to put the question at issue*be- fore you. Of course, being aware of Miss Romaine's illness, you cannot wonder that in spite of all my efforts, we sustained a serious loss during the past two weeks. Our present prospects, I may say, are not en- couragmg (you will see I am perfectly frank and hon- est about it), but I believe by uniting our efforts we shall be able to pull through, for there will be no question about her playing Monday in L— By leaving here this (Sunday) afternoon, and traveling all night in a caboose, I find we will arrive in good time for a rehearsal. Now, that disposed of, I will touch upon another equally important point." Here Mr. Slick cleared his throat. " You've had no salaries xclaimed Blanche. STAK-CKOSSED. ,„ this w«k and were not paid in full the week before but you have had your board " ' "Such as it was," grumbled Mr. Randolph. " I win he "'""^•f "'■-"'™. if you please,^ said Silas • reid* tot^r^ ;r sr-^ir; ""■ '^'"^"""" -•'' had your board Now. I "'"' '''''"S- y""'™ , if you cannor fford the : ::; TrTn '° '"""''"'' the hundreds , an, obii j\:s:/:;:;tru';hty^ Ihat at th"''"'"'^"'"'"^'= '" dilndJplry'^ tto r A ""'■"^"'-'"'t your interests are dear w ll" ^'^^iroff^r Zr\ -^"7'-->r. "-d I tense fedfng. ^ ' " '° '^^ ""<" " ^i"" i"" lR™d2h"'"K\''" f"^ ""'=." again interrupted Mr Randolph but m the meantime we've got to live " speatr n 7^"''. ^""' '""'"^ -" -warding the speaker m astonishment, "who wants you to d e ' JlJon t I pay vour hop , ** v^ . ^ '^ • a day hotel can vou^' k °" "" ' ''""^ '" » dollar Khe baggage and th! fn """/^ '° ^''^ *''^ ''°''«'. and over fm^ 1 J ''^' ^""^ "^^ dollars a piece left front like a man o^ not, I waTt't": ttT'"' '° '"^ ■rtna bilas tont caira^^i *. . - fn order to give" his worH^^"" "^ ^"^ ^''^^ **^^ "-^^"^ kect. ^ "^"'^^ *""^ '° "^ake the desired lii'i u loa STAA'-CA'OSSED. Come, that s fair, isn't it ?•' he asked, returning to I m not working for the interest of my company." Silas7o:;nTed:^"^"^^°"^^'°'' '' '' '"^^ --' ^^ " Mr. Beezer. please accompany the expressman on jUs rounds and see that no trunks are forgotten. You. Mr. Rush, go down to the theatre and attend to pack- Lent eZ T'^'^'^.T ^""'"''''' ""^ ^^^^ \-^^-^ ^nd gentlemen, have all baggage ready at three sharp, and remember the train leaves the depot at four prec sely It l''. !, '."'" ^""''y' " ^« ^^ °" *•--" Hav- ing concluded h.s discourse, Mr. Slick, with due pom- Tfi ve H r "l"u °' "°"^^ '^""^ ^'^ P^^'^^^ -d handed a five-dollar bill to each and every person present Havmg done this with a great flourish, he ann'^unced that he nieeting was over and passed out of the door closely followed by his mother. ' "He isn't a dandy, is he?" remarked Mr. Veriron panL'nr^ '"''"'^' ^""^ ^°°^"^ ""^""^ ^* ^'' ^°»"' ;;i knew he'd pull through/' triumphed Blanche. Well, drawled Mr. Randolph, " Miss Romaine's recovery puts somewhat of a different light upon the affair I will admit. L_ is a good shol town, too why. I played there last season with the ' Hoop-la ' company and we had a four-hundred-dollar house " Yes. muttered Mr. Vernon, "but last year isn't this year, and I'm sick of that old gag. If you iust come back again, you'll pack the building : it's a regu- lar chestnut." ^ ^ " Go dig a grave, Vernon," suggested Rush : " that's about your forte. I guess." Rusxh; "that's STA/!.C/!OSSED. "All rieht t i "'"'^- " """St be after twelve " wafnl;;t e„:;7x; itr r''^'- ^^"^ will you ? •• ^ '""= """^ '»<:'' my trunk, ;• ni come up now if you say so." come hilarious!^ "^ "-"Pany. anyhow; you might be- vei: ihen^ ttrhi: tirerth;'"'; ^'"'''''''" -•" you come ? " ^" *^^"' ^^Parture. " Will »o:errrjLrt\';i:'^--p^-'-a. ;; To the devil!" growled Bee«r. Well, good luck to you! "said Randolph: "If you get there before I do Just tell old Nick I'm coming too " 'oiweTtie"':;ntg:f r" "r '"^ ■"°™-"^ ^-c quiet and very " ni L ,7 '''f ™"' ^"^'^^^^^ state. HiswoVs "MyGodfr"""^' "^"-W"? .0 forget you ?•• repeafe^ly a^'brcHo h ^"^ '°'"^ askedwrelTwhaUt' ^as^rit T "'^'"- f "' '"--" ""'hing practical in he, nature she"' ""' "^^ iidcure. bhe was governed 4,,,.. t <¥l i ■ .I'^l ''l|J I04 STAR-CROSSED. entirely by impulse; capable of realizing the fullest joy, or of being a prey to the deepest sorrow. A veri- table child of the theatre, she had led a precarious life with the Slicks. But she knew no evil, or wrong-doing. She had lofty and high-minded instincts and thoughts. From earliest childhood associated with promiscuous people, her soul rose far above its surroundings, and was never tainted by them, so that when this new- found hope began to grow in her heart, it was des- tined to be the blossom of a singularly pure and beau- tiful flower. Lying contentedly upon her pillow, she dreamed the sweet dream of youth and love. All unmindful of the time, it sped rapidly away^until Janet, the nurse, rubbed her eyes and asked if she had slept very long. At the same moment, Nemesis, in the shape of Mrs. Slick, bustled noisily in. " Come, my girl," she said briskly to the nurse, " stir yourself and help me get these things gathered up. We're going away, and the men are waiting for the trunk. Look sharp, now, and don't stand staring. Are you deaf?" giving her a shake, as a gentle reminder that she was in earnest and meant business. " Law ! " exclaimed Janet, who was abc.ut half awake. " How you do flurry one. What things do you mean, and what trunk are you talking about ?" " I'm talking about Miss Romaine's things, to be sure. Whose else should I be bothering my head about ? Don't you understand the English language ? j I tell you we're going away and the men are waiting for the trunk." " Sakes alive ! you don't mean that you're going to take her ? " pointing to the bed. " Why, she ain't so Sl'AR-CHOSSED. 105 much as walked ^ step yet. She couldn't put a foot under her if she'd try." ;' Never you mind about that," snapped Mrs. Slick; I II attend to her. Just help me unfasten this strap, will you, and stop wasting so much time in talk " "But whatever will Dr. Winthrop say, ma'am ? Oh, hell blame it all on n^ " wringing her hands and lookmg around in a helpi.ss, dazed fashion. "You do as you're told, and don't meddle in other people s concerns. Here," giving the strap a smart tug, hold that! Now lift out the tray. That's right put It down-don't stand there holding it like a simple- ton ; go and bring me those things that hang in yon- der closet, and don't be all day about it, either " "Oh, dear, dear! " wept Janet, tears running down her cheeks " It's the most dreadful thing I ever heard of. And she so ill." " I'll box your ears in a moment, now see if I don't " threatened Mrs. Slick, looking up from her knees. ' _ But what am I to say to the doctor when he comes ? " inquired the girl, wiping her eyes with thecorner of her apron, and handing over one article of clothing after an- other, which Mrs. Slick hurriedly bundled into the tray. What will I tell him when he asks me where she has gone? oh, for mercy's sake, wait until he gets here' " Don't come near me, you fool ! " shouted Mrs. Slick from the floor ; " don't, or Til throw something at your head. Go and open those shutters; it is as dark as a dungeon in this place." ■^ Reluctantly Janet did her bidding throwing up the Shades that Tom had been so careful to keep lowered and letting in a stream of sunlight that fell directly upon Generva's face. fl > "3} io6 STAR-CROSSED. "The light is bad for her," said Janet; "I'd better close them a little." " You'd better do nothing of the kind. She's got to get used to it. Let them shades alone, and come here and help me get her dressed." Generva might have been dead for all the sign she made. She lay like one lifeless, staring straight before her. Too weak to offer any resistance, she passively submitted. Her ciothes hung loosely on her wasted body.. But Mrs. Slick paid no heed to this. Senti- ment was not in her line. She hurried through her task with all the speed possible, and even gave the man a lift with the trunk, in such a hurry was she to get it out of the way. Arranging things to her satis- faction, she rang the bell, summoned her son, and after holding a short colloquy with him, bustled off, leaving him in charge. Janet retreated to a remote corner and gazed dis- consolately out of the window, and Silas sat down by Generva's side, asking her how she found herself, any- way ? said she'd make a first-rate straight ghost, and then ventured to take her hand. She did not move or make the slightest sign that she had heard him. "Stubborn, ain't you?" he asked. "Well, that don't put me out any, so you needn't try it. Spunky, cause you got to go, eh ? well I vow ! Been resting in bed for two weeks and not ready to get up yet. Come, speak to me, I won't stand any confounded airs. Don't want to leave the doctor, eh ? A mash, I guess. Gad ! you're getting on, Gen, if I know anything about it." All this in an undertone heard only by her. " It's about right I was taking you away, if this STAR-CJiOSSED. 107 1 Janet; "Fd better kind of thing has been going on long, and it's time you were getting on your wraps, too," looking at the clock. " Here, you Janet, suppose you make yourself useful for once in your life. Get her cloak and hat, and veil; let's have the veil by all means! It's freez- ing cold out. Where's her gloves ? " " In the pocket, sir," said Janet, " but oh," with a fresh burst of tears, "what shall I tell the doctor? He cautioned me about keeping her so quiet ; why I wasn't even to let in the light on account of her eyes, and here she is dressed and up and the sun streaming in and— oh, goodness, I don't know whatever'll happen to her!" ^^ "Don't you worry," assured Silas ; "I'll take good care of her, she'll be all the better of a little exercise; and as for the doctor, don't fret, that'll be fixed all right. You go to him for your pay. He hired you." ^^ " It isn't my pay, sir!" retorted Janet indignantly. " I'm not thinking of that ; I'm thinking what an awful shame it is to drag her out of bed like this, and she as weak as a kitten, and—" " Hasn't that girl done her chin-music yet ? " inter- rupted Mrs. Slick in the doorway, covered from head to foot in shawls and carrying a couple of valises. The bus is here, you'd better carry her down, the stairs is so steep." "All right," replied Silas. "Come along, my girl- wait, let me^get a good hold. I don't want you to fall if I can help it. Now we're all right- go ahead, Mother, and 111 follow; you'd better strike a match, Janet, inis hall is almost dark: I Hnn't .^r,N«^o^ *^ >i..._ui_ down the steps, and boles in carpets sometimes do trip [even a steady fellov Hke me. That's it ; so, good-bye ! « 1 <"H 1>> io8 STAH-CHOSSED. VdZw '\^°'"" '"■• yo" pay- He hired you. I d nothing whatever to do with it, nothing at all.'^ Oh, you serpent! " cried Janet after him. "I hooe IZL Zf -'"Satan's own iuck. The sma 1 pTx would be too good for you. Taking her off lil-e that lafr he? '"T T"^'" "'" "-«""'''• what wil he say when he sees me?" Tormentinir herself w.th such speculations she sat like one dazed lookmg about the disordered apartment, and makTng not the ,|,ghtest move toward setti.-,g it to rights In just th,s position Tom found her, 4en a crupie of hours ater, without the least intimation of what had exclamation of astonishment demanded what it meant Between tears and sobs Janet told him the story Die look on her face." " Did-did she leave a message for me ? " he in quired with forced composure. ^^ nem- "None, sir, and how could she? They never left her a moment." ^ ^" ina? K ^^'"f ^'^\^"d P^y your bill," he said, thrust- ba'ck until rri'nrf " ''"'' " ^"' ^°" "^^^ ^^ ^^^ Dack until I ring for you— you understand ?" Yes, sir," folding the money carefully, and hurry- ing away to do his bidding. ^ Left to himself, Tom stood for some little time lost m thought. Then he deliberately set to woTk and made an examination of the apartment. He searched the bureau drawers, the closets, the mantelpiece-everv place where th*»r/. w,c - , .-ut... , z .. *'**^'/ belonging Of h- ^ FinVyir;^:. TZZl STA/i-CROSSED. 109 which was just as she had been lifted from it. He laid his hand gently upon the pillow where he knew her head had rested, and here his eyes fell upon the with- ered bunch of flowers which he himself had given her the morning before. So she had left him a message after all ! * w t(i; ! They never left CHAPTER IX.* THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR. Three uneventful weeks followed the departure of the Acme Dramatic Combination from D and Mrs. Winthrop felt that a great weight had been lifted from her mind. She knew from discreet inquiries set afoot (Mrs. Winthrop was a woman who took time by the forelock) just how assiduous Tom had been in his attentions to the actress. She was furthermore well aware that he had grown less and less mindful of the obligations due his betrothed. She had indeed seri- ously meditated taking active measures of interference when, to her great relief, the matter adjusted itself! She was no sooner in possession of the information than she hurried with it to Beatrice. Together they discussed the affair at length, Mrs. Winthrop giving It as her opinion that Tom had been inveigled into it and was not to blame. . ' "You know," she explained. " he is so fond of doing guixotic things; his dear father was just so (lowering her voice a little as she spoke of her dead husband). He will get over these little eccentricities when he is married. A sensible woman will exercise a great ! ^\ no STA/i-CJiOSSED. power over him. And he is fond of you Bee as fnnH as It is in his natiire to be of any one^° ^ Beatrice recalled the many days that had gone bv since she set eyes upon her dehnquent lover and .H^ .arve ed ho. his mother (knowing theTu^^hrct ^^ have the assurance to touch upon his fondness for her But she had too much tact to give even thT.lV .,. J wta^h' ^-i-p-ions. '^:::i:::^z Icnew that he cared no more for her than he A\a t dozen othergiHsofhisacquaintancelndthautaffLr with the theatre woman (as her father expressed i'^ ^"vrse?.:^rT ''■- ^-^^'-■•^p-rai the cuThfo ; o ' an e^i; X' r^t^ '"' "■^'r" '"""'' hand ...HesetritaTpe'oXr: e^^^^^^^ the deepest design, and I do not doubt thai thil bought all her arts to bear upon that .'« boy w;;u:d^t-;--"rr^^^^ thankful that it stopped where "did^Tw ^V^ he seTsyou " """'""'' "^ "'" '^" y" - when see any n,ore of h.n, now. Don't you thUso " sionf^H :" r*^"*'' ">' ^^"- Tom has his profes sional duties ; they consume the better oart of h^? remember. And then she thi. ^ t " """' -y anything more aboltVer Ihe'har "'"' T'' are never likely to hear of her aglLV'" ^°"'' ^' ^^ I SUDpose Tnm /%«!.. JJJ - 1 . , duty." remarked Beatri«; "" ^' """''"^'^ "s STAR-CROSSED. Ill considered his "Yes," returned Mrs. Winthrop, "and I venture to say his thanks were an unpaid bill or something equally characteristic. Canaille of this kind have no con- science." " It is a great pity his kindness should have been so misplaced," murmured Beatrice absently. " If he had only consulted me" lamented Mrs. Win- throp, " I should have warned him ; but," with a sigh, " young men are wiser than their mothers in this gen- eration." ^ " It is too bad that Eric induced him to go there that night, for of course he must have done so — Tom never thinks of the theatre himself. It is a miserable place." " Yes," assented Mrs. Winthrop, " Eric is to blame as usual. Why could he not let Tom alone ? All the actresses in Christendom couldn't have done him any harm, or have succeeded in making him more Bohe- mian than he is." " I am told," queried Beatrice, " that they are a law- less set." " Lawless ? " echoed Mrs. Winthrop, " why, my dear, that does not begin to express it. Such tales as I have heard— oh ! " holding up her jeweled hands in horror, " I should not "^n think of repeating them to you." * '» # « * ^ Meantime the subject of this discussion stood in her dressing-room, which consisted of a sheet suspended across a couple of wings, making up for the nightly performance. Matters had gone from bad to worse wit'-: her. She was unable to sustain herself in the various plays Mr. Slick saw iit to cast, and failed through sheer weakness to rouse the public to any de- gree of enthusiasm. ' The company now tottered upon *> m >I> STAK-CXOSSED. the verge of ruin. Four weeks had gone by without the payment or salaries, and matters had coL o the *h„" ?l" f '""r^ necessary to carry one or two ob,tt?on, ^ """"' "'"= ^"«'^'^"' '° ""«' 'heir The same evening that Mrs. Winthrop sat with Beatrice and discussed Generva. a climax was reacTed ;n the Acme Dramatic Combination. The play was biL r°-r ^^"^ ^"^ * '""" ^'"«'"« had ass^m bled to witness .t. The orchestra finished the overturT- everythmgwas in readiness, when Mr. Beezer came Z, y '"i ,^.""°'"'«'» Ws intention of not goW through with h,s part unless his money was forth^om rnrcamTh'"^-'.?'""''^^- «. Slfck was sent or; and came hurriedly upon the scene of revolt. He stormed swore and admonished, and finally engaeed But all to no ava.1. Mr. Beezer said he wouldn't, and he evidently meant it. The audience began to raa"i fest impatience at the unwarrantable delay The" manager of the house was at his wifs end. The com VZZZ^^:" ■"- ^"^ '' '"* ^ "-^^ - "^ tel^fnghisTai-r* *^* "^'"'^ ^^^ -"" -edemanded, Silas groaned. "Can't you, I say?** "No, I can't," he yelled; "he don't play one oart he plays five ! " ^^ P^"' "That settles it," said the manacr.r 1>.„^;«^ .i.. rebei ten dollars out of his own pocke't! '"''Do^'th:; satisfy you-you w<>lf ? " he inquired. STAR.CHOSSED. "3 " he demanded, ■7 •»!«.iv.tnjj tile :. " Does that " Yes, for to-night," muttered Beezer, stalking off. " Then ring up," ordered Silas, " and the next man that comes this dodge on me, I'll punch his head, demned if I don't!" *"' No sooner had Mr. Beezer flourished his banknote in the faces of his less fortunate colleagues, than the insurrection became general and the issue inevitable. Mr. Slick was simply beside himself. Never of an en- during or unselfish disposition, his financial difficulties brought into prominence his worst qualities. As he saw his foothold slipping slowly but surely from under him, and utter ruin staring him in the face, he grew almost ferocious in his bearing toward those unfortu- nate enough to be connected with him. His mother laid their whole trouble to Generva. What s/ie, poor girl, had to endure at this period passes all power of description. Forced to rehearse with the people who made things as unpleasant for her as they could ; to appear upon the stage despite her bodily suffering, and pursued at all times by recriminations, sleep rarely visited her. Night after night she lay awake, and day after day left her food untouched upon her plate. Exhausted nature at last gave out, and she fell seri- ously ill again. Mr. Slick raged like a lion when his mother brought this intelligence to him, and swore that he would have no more doctors to turn her head and make her believe herself worse than she really was. The discovery of a ring, given her by Tom as a keep- sake, had made a deep impression upon him. For years he had been wont to regard her as his own par- ticular property, belonginor solely and without question to him and his. The tb ^ht of her fo"- nng new ties ted itself to his imagination, and but Ml ■ r-il IK'I ■"■*l m MM , In' never 8 114 STA/t- CROSSED. ^Xl^'.ru "''''' ""'"''' """" >>«« done 'o; for Mr Slick held h.s own attractions too high even o «„. pact, much less fear a rival. He had ten a 1 ttleTn" love with her for a long time-a very little 1, ! Jf and he had told his mother that Z^f^t 'twt would make her his wife. But since the advent of Dr Wmthrop, he somehow became vaguely consc.ouf th/,' she was farther than ever from his^each " ' wal torn"wth T"' °' '" ^"--"f" difficulties, he was torn with a consuming ealousy. He now beran to realize that he had made a mistake in letong Ihe t?ir" r'r "'^ ''''• ^"<^ "« suddenly sflved to make up for lost time and marry her at once That she would demur never for a moment suggested itself and with a bold determination to haveTsettled h ' sneeLT'' "" '" ' """^ """' 'or a wedding," she " Well, that's neither here nor there," retorted Silas I suppose you'd like Gen to slip through our finger ?" buttertdrn'""' "^''^"^ ■'"ows which'side her f^:]. "At all events I'm not going to take any chances I sToX d"oT„o': •• "-^ "- -" ' "-' - ^v I histe?:nd';tk"hts"elfT„"'trG""''"^^ T'' °" 1,^- • 1. "iinseii on to Generva. He founH ne entered, but she did not speak until he said: I ve brought you something. Gen r.»«.» „.u^. ... " How should I know ? " turning to him in surprise. STAH-CROSSED. IIS a wedding," she im in surprise. " That's so," he agreed, " how should you ? Well," pulling the box irom his pocket, " I've brought you a ring, that'll knock the one the doctor gave you silly. Look at that!" opening the lid and holding it between his fingers. " What do you say to a ring of such size ? It's a beauty, ain't it ? " "Why do you give it to me ?" asked Generva, who. never remembered receiving a present from him before. " Why ? " with increasing amiability ; " because I like you : there, you have it ! " She made no response to this, but there was some- thing in his face that sent a cold chill creeping through her veins. " Let's have your hand, and we'll see which it fits best," said Silas, taking her cold limp fingers in his own. " I guess we'll put it on this one : there, how's that ? Looks kind of nice and shiny, don't it ? " hold- ing the hand between his eyes and the light, and of a sudden placing his lips upon it. " Why, what's up ? " she had drawn it quickly away. " What makes you do that ? " "Shy? 'cause I kissed it? Oh, come now, you mustn't be shy, because I'm going to marry you. I'm going to do it right straight off, if you'll give your con- sent." The words bore a fearful significance. For a mo- ment she could scarcely believe her senses. She had never anticipated or suspected such a proposal. But one quick glance at his eager, flushed countenance was convincing, and with a sickening feeling of horror she arose to her feet. ^^ "What do you think?" he inquired rising also. " Come, let's have an answer." I" MM ^r »»*■ I' ii6 ^^TA/i-CROSSED, :c it back again." hand-ng ,t to him ; •■ take "Uk?.'\«,f:!;-';,«-P«' '"="• «-""e '-ward; " T «,« L ^ ^^ "^^ yo" mean ? " 1 mean what I sav thaf t " Von ., r ^' ^^ ' cannot marry vou " rou cannot marrv m^f" - . . '■'X""* have to give me anotLr ^'P^"'"" Silas. "You'll -<»«<> from you." ""'"'"• "^ e'^'- I won't tak, "I 2t//// not, then " saM r» firmly togethe^ ^'"^■•™' '^'"'"g her lips 7v;.oi\r;:^:;r-;'r-^^-"«v. talking about N«f '""^^ ^^at you're -d h'a^tual y ,a^; ed:;7udT',r"v"'='''^ ^ i^^.l ■■ " I will not marrv vl,, • K "'°"«''' •><= «"i°yed it. " Let that endTl " ^ ' ' "=P=""''' Showing white. "You won't?" - "I won't!" :.^™-'---^eTrirr;s-j The truth now dawned for f ' . and he literally quivered with „" ':' """* "P°" '"'•'"■ "Who the devi are voi ?'?r°"- «y you will and you w„n°t / T'"''' " *''=" no- where you belong'^^^^yTuy stnrb:-- T'' '"''"' ^"^ -<■ found you, you iXna L^ k ' gutter, where ■«and „p there with he aTr o'^. f"' A"'' T"" »y wo. us in my teeth Wha do "'' ""' """^ Answer me!" "'"" "o you mean by it ? "I mean what T «=« •• -t 1 say, she rephed, her dark eyes ^^^i^f^,^ STAA'-C/fOSSIU). »»7 time upon him, P.shing, her slender hands clasped before her. "So it^are me your insults, if you please." "And why, may I make so bold as to inquire, why do you refuse to marry me ? Do you think I am be- neath the station of such a high-born lady as yourself ? or, with a sarcastic leer, " is it because your hea>l has been filled with the meaningless flattery of that dcr led doctor, who kept you in bed for no other purpose than to try and get a fee out of me ? Is it that ? " seiz. ng hold of her and forcing her to face him, " is it ? I « ,// nave an answer." "You will," in a low, trembling voice. "Then you shall ; It is because I hate, loathe, despise you ! " "By gad!" he exclaimed, throwing her violently from him, you are a devil if ever I saw one " In truth his words seemed to have roused some sort of demon within her, for she turned like a fury, and dashing him aside sprang to the bell cord. "Go!" she commanded, with a gesture of imperious command, "or I will ring and summon the household to my assistance." At that moment the door opened and Mrs. Slick en- tered the room. From the outside she had heard all that had passed, and she was livid with rage "You ninny!" she hissed addressing her son, "to stand there like the coward you are and take that creature s ins( ence. Faugh ! you sicken me," turning from him in disgust; "and you, my beauty, youVe been showmg your feathers, haven't you } Well, I like to look at you. I do," planting her hands on her broad mps; ,t does my eye. good to see what a traitorous "lue viper Ive raised. Come here; come here, I say! You won t ? " as she did not move-" well, take that I ,» • •I) hM ! I !■ 11 : I /M Ji8 STAR-CHOSSED. and see how vou like if " ck . forward, and seiz „g th 'girl b! Z " "f"! f "= Generva lay like one stunned. For a lon^ f.-„,« u made not the shVhtP«!f „,« ^u ^"^"^^ ^^"g time she t,.rnJ«„ J"^/^'&^test move; then, consciousness re ■ng as if her heart would break Th/„ ] "^^ some <„p„,, 3he ^taggere^theltt^rtTvtr: by d,z2,„ess and confusion, could onty totter to X bed, upon which she fell heavilv ^l u\, J would go awav „? 1 '"'■ P^'^^tion. She upon h^er tla^' "IT".''''' ""^ ^""e'" "'^h-J acted up™ it Shf '^'■^■■^'^'eristic impulse, she from the house into the'st7e"er 1r""^' "" '*'''^'' ^ne street. It was verging upon ^: STAR-CROSSED. "9 five o'clock as she emerged from the hotel, but the short winter's day had drawn to a close, and the shadows of night were falling. Walking swiftly along the dimly lighted pavement, she proceeded in the di- rection of the railway depot. But the darkness soon began to confuse her. She was not well acquainted with the town, and was obliged to pause occasionally, uncertain which way to proceed; whether to turn to the right or left. Some instinct impelled her forward, however, until gasping for breath she staggered to a lamp-post and leaned heavily against it. As the glar- ing yellow light fell upon her, an officer, struck by her attitude, made his way to where she stood. " What's the matter ? " he inquired in a rough but not unkindly voice, " sick ? " " No," falteringly, " I— I have lost my way." " Where do you want to go ? " "To the depot, please," gaining confidence. "Oh, then you're all right. It's at the foot of this street, down there," pointing in the direction; "you can see it from here." Gathering her cloak about her, she set off at a brisk gait, and was soon lost to sight in the thickness of the deepening gloom. Arriving at her destination, she sank into a seat in the general waiting-room, endeavor- ing to collect her scattered senses, and to think what her next move ought to be. But her head was in such a whirl, and the noise and confusion of the place so distracting, she grew dizzy and faint, and unable to concentrate her thoughts. At this critical juncture, as she sat there heloless. tremhlino- ^^r^Af^.^\Ac.A Jrr-^-r; lute, the thought of Tom came suddenly to her, and with a great heart-throb she resolved to go to him. «' ■ ■•Sf fti-i m lap STAH-CROSSED. '•Ftrr-'V^o'? ^"7" ""' ='^''''' ■■" " '"We voice. Thank you ! " turning away to ffain Hm. i ment's reflection. ^ * '"^ * '^°- ".. f,"""" ' ''^ y"" aboard ? " gallantly. If— if you please." " You have a ticket, of course ? •• "Yofca'pV:'" "''?; '"^ "="' '°^S°"- ">at. the man. ;ri:Xfu:::::' ""':''"' ■''" -P'-ed was quit'e stead/in the htd '"' """"'^""^ " ^"-^ mypTrle^'hrZTt'o V ' :r'""'^' "^'P'^^^'^^ ""-e is He counTd ^^ ' ''° y°" •'■'"I' " -'^ enough ? " .en"ur sT^pX Xht Ctt^t 1 TH" °' offi... A. •- A''.' '■'^Weared into one of the Driv»,. byH;;sid;h;ji:XtS:i:rhar"^^-"'" STAH-CROSSED. 121 t train is in now; ain time for a mo- " Come," he said hurriedly, " you have only one min- ute. Follow me." Giving her the ticket he led her through the gate to the cars ; the conductor had called out "All aboard ! " and was about mounting the plat- form, but perceiving her, he reached down and helped her to ascend. As he did so he pulled the bell, and the cars were in motion. Generva breathed a prayer of thanksgiving as the train sped quickly through the darkness. From the corner of her seat she glanced occasionally out of the window at the scenes through which she was being rapidly whirled. Each moment seemed to put miles between her and those from whom she was flying. With a feeling of genuine relief she closed her eyes, and, like a weary child, slept, unconscious of all that went on around her. It was only when the conductor called out " tickets " that she roused herself. Peering cautiously around she noted her fellow passengers. They were mostly men, but a quick survey of the va- rious faces revealed no familiar one. So far she was safe. Indeed, everything seemed to have conspired in her favor. At the rate they were thundering along she was even now far away, and recapture, which of all things she most apprehended, averted. Had she deliberately planned her flight she could not have suc- ceeded more effectually. Of her future she never thought, and now that the first step was taken toward putting a barrier between it and the past, she was only conscious of relief. The train stopped at a way station for supper, and a long line of people filed through the cars, leaving them almost deserted. The conductor r»er= ceiving that she was alone, approached and asked her if she did not wish for something to eat. She began to Mi 1.M 123 STAH-CHOSSED. think, now that it was suffgested fn h«. 4.u . , feel faint, but at the samf ,^1 "n^ t'e' " " '" bered her empty nurse <;„ '°"'f"*/ne also remem- no; she woulf t'a k'e noihin;. ^'^ "'"'^'^ ■""• ^"^ "'^ int?arcrAv:ct\ ="= ="«*■■" '^« the brakeman shouted " D^_'' rf ""i',""'" »°t" by the conscicusaess that the end of 7"^ ^ ""'""'' reached, she started to her feet and 'T"^^ "'' self almost alone upon tL f "°°" '""""^ ^"■ midnight and the%S„ IttttTd A T ."^"J together. ^L'^ihr::^;^^^^^^^^^^^ '- vr; for some moments irresolute ^ '^^^'^ service it would be. ^^ ^° ^^^* " It's a good mile and a half " said th^ «, • to her question. ..you never t a :a,rrTh' stre..ars have stopped running and Jo^VhavJL^ . N^'- heart sank; she had no money W.fh . ^ sigh she turned away, but he detacher ' '"^ ^^Po you want a cab? "he inquired. * No, she rephed. "Are you going to walk ? " get'tWe!"'" ""■■' '^ "■"" ^"-g" '° te" me how to "Well, you've ffot nliirt"],^ .-..J 1 ,. "-ybe some of the fe„;;s Z^i:^^ 7^ STAR-CROSSED. 123 you a lift if they're going in that direction ; wait and I'll see." But none of them were, and she finally set ofT on foot, walking with her utmost speed. As it was very late the streets were empty and she rhet few people. These with a glance at the swift dark figure passed on. No one sought either to molest or detain her. The town clock struck one as she tottered up the steps leading to Tom's house. So quiet and still it seemed to her overwrought imagination, it almost ap- peared uninhabited. But she glanced at the card, and assuring herself that she could have made no mistake, rang the bell. A dead silence ensued. Her heart beat audibly. Presently a heavy footstep could be heard approaching; nearer and nearer it came. She held her breath. A moment later a bolt was drawn, a key turned, and the door flung wide open. Tom's tall figure stood upon the threshold. " What do you want ' " he inquired ; " who is it ? " " It — is' — I," she gasped in a vdice that sounded weak and far off, " Generva." " Generva ! " he exclaimed, making a movement for- ward — then as the hall light fell upon her pale face : ''My God, it is!'' % \ I . • 1 CHAPTER X. THE SECOND ACT IN HER DRAMA. Tom had never thought to see her again, and for a moment could scarcely believe in her reality. He passed his hands over his eyes in a dazed way, to assure himself that they were open, and that it was not a '1 ■■'-m .'M '-ilH ♦:' ^»|S ■ i M "4 STA/t.C/iOSS£D. Neither spoke. Smt^t^^^^J ^^''"J'^ '"''^'■ house, made fast the doo" p M fresh'T " '"'" '"^ fire, and pouring some wine ' f„ , °^^ "P°" "-e 'ips. She drank meXS ^ ^'^''' P"' " '» i>" utterly exhausted Some 1" ^^^ ""° => ^"air "•""e a sign; when she did was tTf . '''""^ *^ «M Vrrk:;;KrX ^^h:r,;r ^r-- "^ brings you here ? " ™« Messed accident At the sound of his voice h,., i,„. • started to her eyes He rl,H u^ T""^'^ ^""^ tears her dress at the th^af Sol ^"}'"' """^ '<>°^ened "-d, •; Thanks, lltamSr" '"'™''' ''^ ■"- "Im"u'st''^br'',''^°"^^^^">''-«''-" 'hink Ts y. "at ru':?° "T '""^ '*'"'* ^^ -'« At this startling p^LeofinTT."" "^ P^'P'^'" an exclamation of sC;rise'^'^'""^°"'=">°'hered * ou have run awax? " i,^ why, whatever induced you ^o J^P^^''-""'" ''^J'-' "Vou will blameme , M ,'"'i^"""S?" down. '' ' '"'"w," she said, breaking "^ri^:^-^" ^---"P'X mov^d by her tears; "BuU:::i;Z :™t„- ""'^'" =»« murmured. ^nd then i„ a low, trembling voice she told him all. STAR-CROSSED. "S upon him, he her to his heart, re yielded to his 'Pon his breast, ■ew her into the ' logs upon the ss, put it to her 'k into a chair 5ed before she fasten a wistful laid his hand I, Generva," he essed accident ered and tears and loosened ved, she mur- i^'hat you will people." m smothered "run away! hing ? " id, breaking y her tears ; murmured, old him all. With mingled feelings of anger and sympathy he lis- tened to her story. When she came to the blow which Mrs. Slick in her ungovernable rage had dealt her he buried his face in his hands and groaned. " My endurance ended here," she gasped—" I could stand it no longer. I left the hotel without a moment's delay or hesitation and proceeded towards the depot. A train was going out, I stepped aboard ; there was no place in which I could find shelter, so I came to you. Perhaps I should not have done so. If I did wrong you will tell me." Her last words died away in a whis- per and she waited breathlessly for a reply. Tom was completely overcome by the recital. When she ceased speaking he turned and regarded her. She was very beautiful as she lay against the crimson cushions of the chair; her fair face fairer for the rich dark back- ground. One white arm was thrown above her golden bronze head where a gleam of firelight lingered, the other rested upon her bosom, which being partly bare shone with dazzling whiteness from out the loosened black dress. A world of entreaty lurked in the depths of her large lustrous eyes, and her full red mouth, with the little droop at the corners, lent to her expression a pathos as touching as it was seductive. As Tom gazed upon her a mighty passion surged through him ; an almost uncontrollable impulse to snatch her to his heart and spend his soul in kisses on her lips. But instead he turned resolutely from her and gazed long and steadily into the fire. And then his reafon came back and he began to think. What was he to do? Where was it all going to end ? What a situation he was in ! If only she were not so young, so friendless ; if only she were less beautiful ; if— it all seemed a ques- Ml ■#i t i' I M fllll 1 li 136 STAJi-C/iOSSED. deed in this perplexin J^ m' „ A " "'herwise. I„. he would have oTwha. r t ''"'•"'y ^'^'^ >^h« dared do. He loved he' t-"""^^ ° °' """" "" <»• he was also aware that he l""'""^ ^""^ "' "' ""' -other. And this o^er^harj"™"','^ '"•""'' '° or hope from her ? ' """'^ ""'<* he expect thr'olL7aTd":uThe"b,orV™"'''°"«'''''^P"'-3 So he questioned, pecuLt°ed v 1 ™"' ^«med afire, to her words • " I I d?H i ' '^ '""^ht for a reply could he tell her Lt whInThT *"' '^" "'^•" "- not think so; burwhrtl ' °' ''"'•''''= ^d fectly societ;wou,d conde.:"' X"?.'' '"'"^ P"" the world and been none thTwise" o't "ele "" '" He knew just what it would sav Th!f «P=ne„ce. befriend a woman with a n, r, I- " ""*" "" allow, having no doX Z.^'^^J"'"'"'.^''' "°t nature. Where it might be founder " °' '"'■"^" concede a little toai^e »L!. , V*^ '" '"^ oases) io merciless whe e ;o^:th and T'T ' " " "" '"^ ""^ " Disinterestedness" ext ts^^'n.^T ^"1 '''""™^''- says society, and societv K.- • '^agination," ought to know. ButSst "^ " "'^"''^^ "^^^"-^^' Finally, Tom said, " You were nVhf f Generva,and from my heart I wJ^ '°"^^ *° "^^' he could prevent he^ ITf n """^ y^"'" B^^ore her dem*nstra fe fl h on I "^.T ^''" ^"^^^' ^"^ '" "Vou give me n w tfe .'Zl T' ^^^ ^-^^'^"^e. dropping rapidly from her lips "n'r^"' ^'^ ^°^^^ does not seem so desolate si t , ^°P"' '^^ ^^^^^ Oh f " -V--'- ' - "esoiate smce I have fn„n^ o f_,--.. . • *■"■■ °-P '«hng, " I would gladly end'u^agTn K\i\'A'''i<^--.-i''!-.-:K STAR-CHOSSED. T»7 the misery of the past, that I might know the happi- ness of the present. I came almost fainting to your door. I am now strong. Hope fills me to overflow- ing and my soul goes out in joy, that at last I know how sweet a thing is life." Her emotion seemed to overpower her. The color faded from her lips and cheeks, and her voice was full of tears. Tom raised her gently, saying at the same time: " You are ill, you suffer." " Here," she moaned, placing her hands upon her breast. The loosened dress had fallen back, and there upon the white bosom was the dark and swelling wound, which Mrs. Slick had dealt her. It needed no telling— it spoke for itself; and Tom with a compassion that words could ill express, touched with gentle fin- gers the blackened flesh. " I will get something that will relieve you," he offered, hastening across the hall and disappearing behind one of the portieres leading into an adjoining room. Here he turned up a lamp burning dimly upon a centre table, and threw himself with a suppressed groan into a chair. For fully half an hour he re- mained in this attitude. So deep was he in gloomy reflection, his errand passed entirely out of his mem- ory. The striking of the clock recalled him, however, and with something like a twinge of remorse, he turned to a medicine case, took out a piece of lint and saturated it with a thick, dark, liquid substance. This done, he retraced his steps and applied the bandage to the wound. After which, in a sort of nervous haste, he took her hand and led the way upstairs. " I will send my old nurs^ to attend you," he said, when they t28 STAH-CHOSSED. ing down upon her, " mine " ingly around her ™tenng t„ gaze admir- .•one'd^th*;;:^ fitpS' 'r ""^^ ■"• ^" °"'-'--- mantel rose a cabinet tt . T^ ^ massively carved the ceihng. r.^r;t;:r:r^^::i:tLr^^^ sign covered fhe flr.0.. j r *^ aelicate de- azure; the walls were filled wfh •? P*'*"' the bed fell a canoTy of ace tht '^ "' '"" °'" folds upon the floor " '""P' '" S"-*"'"' Generva took in every detail anrff.,, • >. ^«. stood foramome^nfa'^ll-r^r^^r^lt''^^ " Why are you so Pfood to mp ? " oi, 1 , S^ht-----ci"hrsc:s: TH:ip:Sga"wTv;rcr:t;;itheT'" and .roat. he stooped and with unrXL^d ^st In the next moment he was o-on« a t later he entered FnV'= .? A few moments communicated with hirorand":!'-''"' '°°^ '"^^ pd sha,i ,„_,-■ ^o^e'r T4 'h- i--iviuuiiu siumDer. " " — " STAR-CROSSED. IH) "What is it?" he questioned sleepily; " who's the matter ? " Why, you're the matter," said Tom. " Wake up and get something on and come into my room. Quick ! '' What m the deuce," began Eric, sitting up and calling after him, " do you mean by pulling a fellow out at this hour of the night, or the morning-I don't know which, but I daresay it's a little of both, if the clocks haven't taken leave of their senses too. What is up, Tom ? I shan't budge until you tell me ? " "I'll tell you by my fire, it's too cold here. Come along! Wrap the blankets around you if you can't find anything better." "That's not a bad idea," remarked Eric, acting upon the suggestion and enveloping his tall, spare frame in a long quilt, to say nothing of a sheet and bedspread. That s right, ' commended Tom, "as the ghostly figure came striding in and ensconced himself in an arm-chair. "Now, prepare yourself to be literally struck dumb with surprise." "I am prepared for anything after this," he replied with a stupendous yawn-" anything, even an earth- quake. Fire away ! " "Perhaps you heard the bell ring sometime after midnight?" "No, I didn't; I'm a respectable newspaper man, and I retire with the chickens." " Well, I heard it. I was reading when it rang, and 1 hastened down. Imagine my surprise when I dis- covered a woman standing on the threshold." Enc got up and prepared to take himself off. "Hold on!" exclaimed Tom, seizing the end of a departing sheet, "where are you going?" Sffl ■1 % I i I i t.w"%' 130 STA/iC/fOSSED. " Where I won't hear any more ghost stories until the sun is up." " But it is no ghost story, Eric. Come back! " " Oh," resuming hi^ seat, " I thought it was.' " I tell you it was a woman." " What woman ? " " Generva Romaine." " " Generva Romaine ! " " The same." " Give me a pinch, I must be asleep." " I thought I was dreaming myself when I saw her." " Then it's a fact, and she's here," exclaimed Eric, springing to his feet, and totally unmindful of his habiliments, which fell in a heap on the floor. " Yes, it's a fact," repeated Tom. " I never was so amazed in all my life ! " " Neither was I," suppressing his inclination to laugh and eyeing him grimly. " I had no idea you bore such a close resemblance to the statue of the AdoIIo Belvedere." i' "" "You seem to take it for granted," remarked the aforesaid Apollo, referring to Generva and not to his godliness. And proceeding at the same time to redrape his nether limbs. " Wliat brings her here ? " " Sit down," said Tom seriously, " and I will tell you." "All right," dropping into the chair, "go on! " "They treated her infamously and she ran away " began Tom. " To-day Mrs. Slick struck her and she could endure her position no longer. I had given her a card with mv address. anH fnU k«.. u „i, be in need of a friend to come to me. place else to go, so she came here." tat- It ^U^ _1 1 J . - - •' 31IC Biiuuiu ever She had no I'' I SrAN-C/(OSSED. IJI ost stories until Eric gave a long, low whistle. "What are you going to do with her?" he asked bluntly. " I don't know," admitted Tom. "What did you wake me up for?" " I wanted to ask your advice " "Mine?" "Yours." "I told you before, Tom, I did not wish to mix myself up m that young woman's affairs." " But if her affairs be my affairs, Eric ? " "See here." wheeling round in the chair and facing him, you are going to get yourself into trouble. Take my word for it." " I can't help it, old man. I couldn't turn a helpless woman from the door, could I ? " ^ " I suppose not," with a grunt. " What was I to do ? " " 1 don't know" " What do you know ? ' " I know we're in for a row if it leaks out." I dar^ay we can take care of ourselves, we are b.g enough. It is of her I want to speak. She I completely broken down, and it will be'a long tL, beforejhe .s restored to health. In the interim-'^ " What is to be done ? " that'^di" C^ni:^ -l:^ ^'""^'^ '" ^'^ '^"' "^°" ^-^ I do" ' ""''^""^ '° """'^ ^' changing countenance, "I knew it," with conviction, " I was sure of it ! " ■^nd now ? " 132 STAR-CROSSED. " Now." " Yes, what is to be done now ? " "Ask me something easier. I'm blest if I can tell." "You will admit that one's not much to blame for —for caring about her ? " " No ; but one is liable to get burnt if one fingers red-hot coals." "You are very unsatisfactory. I told you to leave me out of the argument." "Who says it's an argument? it isn't! There is nothing to argue. I wish there were." "Well, coming back to the starting-point; what am I going to do with her ? " "There's just one of two things, that I can see," said Eric after a pause. "And they are ? " " Either send her away in the morning or marry her in the afternoon. I advise the former. There's always safety in flight." "I can't do the one, and I won't do the other," declared Tom emphatically. " I didn't suppose you would," calmly. " What did you propose it for then ? " " For your consideration. One is never forced to follow the advice of one's friends. At least, one rarely does." " You know I am bound to Beatrice ? " " Yes ; but you don't love her." " She did well enough until this girl came into my life." " I warned you against something of the kind, you will remember," reminded Eric, "and you didn't 'see fit to pay any heed to me. Now the worst has come." i'7?%n<~3o'> i.M.>^>4 sn'tl There is point ; what am io the other," STAR-CHOSSED. m " How can you call my love for her the worst ? why, old man, I tell you it is— the— " "Yes, I know. I'll take your word for it. Spare me just now. I never was in such a quandary before. I don't know what we are going to do, I don't really! You see, these infatuations are so short-lived." "I will. not have you call my love an infatuation," mterrupted Tom angrily. " It will last forever ! " " You think so," returned Eric. " Every man thinks so at some period or other of his career. But *hey are all convinced of their error in the end. The only trouble is, that the end is sometimes too long coming and — " *' "And what ? " "The result disastrous in consequence. I tell you, Tom, the fierce flame soon burns out, and men's pas-' sions rarely outlive their gratification. They are none the worse for it as a rule, but there are other and more serious results to be considered. You would not want to wrong her ? " "Generva? No!" "Can you tell me what greater wrong you could do her than to teach her to love you, without the faint- est hope of being able to give her your undivided affection in return. I believe in your sincerity now. But what does the sincerity of men amount to, any how ? They want to be honest— they try to be ' It isn't their fault that they are not. It's in the blood. Women are different. I don't always boast much of them.jto be sure; still as a rule they are better than we ''■e. Generva will be constant to the death, I believe." 'What am I to do, then?" " Your one plan is to reconcile her to her folks." arc % 1 1 If ; f H 134 STA/i-CHOSSED. But they are not her folks, and I will not have her 111 used by them Don't make any more such absurd propositions She came to me for shelter and help and she shall have both! You seem to misjudge my motives. Good God ! don't you know that I love her ? " "Yes that's just it," returned Eric, "you love her. Well take care that love daesn't play you a trick. It day. Where is she— in bed ? " " & "Yes; Mildred is with her." ;' That's good. Suppose we let the matter rest where It IS untU morning. It might not be a bad plan to consult Generva herself upon the subject. Don't you diJll v'''',^'"fu^ '^°'^' "^'"^ ^"^ proceeding to divest himself of his coat and vest; "I confess I am "Turn in and get some sleep, then, and I'll sit here for a while and try to think it out. What was that ? Sounded like a knock. See who it is, Tom. I'm not quite m the regulation reception costume." Tom opened the door. Mildred stood in the hall, "The lady s taken bad, and you must come at once " she whispered. , ' Without a word Tom seized his coat, and following the old woman was soon at Generva's bedside He found her in a high fever and slightly delirious.' She her, neither did she seem aware of where she was or who was attending her. ' Eric, when left alone, hastily donned his clothe. .nH in a siiort space of time joined Tom in the sick-room^ Is she very ill ? " he asked anxiously STAK-CROSSED. ns "Yes," whispered Tom gravely, "very, very ill. " Do you know what it is ? " " Brain fever, I think. I was afraid of it four weeks ago. I d^n't see what we are going to do now. Do you ? "Make the best of it," replied Eric with his usual bluntness; but be sure and caution Mildred against acquainting any one with her presence here. We must keep It the most profound secret." " I have done that." "Then we have only to be patient and discreet until such time as her removal be possible." " Where could we take her ? " " There will be time to decide, judging from her present condition." •» s s Tom looked very serious. "Yes," he said slowly, there will be time." ' ■t-'l CHAPTER XL sre she was, or THE QUESTION ANSWERED. When Tom and Eric resolved to keep Generva con- cealed in the house, they did not anticipate the many complications that would accrue. One rarely does consider consequences when (as in this case) the need 's urgent. !i so transpired t^at while her presence h^7vt^ ^'^^^""^ '"'•■"'' '^^'^ ^'■^^^ f'-^"^ ^ n"'"- ber of little circumstances, unheeded at the time, a cer- -am suspicion. Mildred, in her endeavor to be dis- Z ; ^T '"^^■^°"^^'<^"«' and the mysterious patient about whom no one could induce her to breathe a It. ■■ •1;:' 136 STAK-atOSSED. word, came to be regarded first with a certain amount of cunosity and afterwards with more than a certain amount of mistrust. An almost daily visitor at h^^ son-s home, Mrs. Winthrop soon becLT ware th know Havmg once conceived the idea, she of course considered it nothing more than her duty to «t L work and investigate. It had been impossbl for them to conceal the fact that a sick person was there B„^ mg of hmi, Tom did not see fit to correct her mistake It thus transpired that she took it for granted that a man was the object of his care. "It is ridiculous keeping him here," she argued- "I " tZ t" >?■"'' "'"'"' "^ " S'«=" <>"> "^tter." tained Tom' " °'" °' ''' •"'^^"■°" '" '■™'" "•->• And so the matter rested. But Mrs. Winthrop was finally she informed her son, that as he was to be marned m the Fall, it was well to commence making he necessary preparations (such as refurnishing, etc A nes tofet '"f ""o- -unified her^ead ness to beg n at once. Tom caqie near swearing when this proposition was made. angrny.^"" """"° """ ""^ ?»"'"''" >« "e-nanded ;; But your wedding, Tom ! " she interposed. 1-et my wedding alone." profesiL:!""" '^"'"^ "'■^' ""'""^ ^o" "■«''« '" yo- OU IC IS. The failure of this scheme disconcerted Mrs. Win- STAJi-CHOSSEB. 137 ted Mrs. Win- throp not a little. As a final effort she resolved to worm the truth out of Mildred, and she began plying her with questions whenever chance brought them in contact. But the old woman was faithful. She took refuge in yes and no, and did not seem able to say anythmg else. "I believe Mildred is in her dotage," she said to Dorothy after one of these ineffectual attempts to glean mformation from her. "Why?" inquired Dorothy. "Because she talks like a simpleton," returned Mrs. Wtnthrop irritably. " I think your fears are groundless in respect to Tom, ventured Dorothy, "I do, honestly! There is nothing out of the way in his having a patient in the house if he chooses." "This is no ordinary patient, my dear," replied Mrs. Winthrop with calm superiority, " and there is a great deal out of the way in his turning the house into a hospita . He has been harboring that mysterious in- dividual to my certain knowledge for the past four weeks, and he has not only pledged Mildred to the utmost secrecy concerning him, but he refuses to say a word upon the subject himself. Now, I am of the opinion that the man has had ample time to get well or die. "Oh, Mother!" exclaimed Dorothy, "you do not think he IS dead and that Tom would be capable-" I think," interrupted Mrs. Winthrop, " that in the interest of science that misguided boy is capable of --v-.ng. i^asnt ne Deen experimenting on stray dogs and cats ever since he was in knickerbockers ? " Ves, Mother," agreed Dorothy, "but a cat isn't a f ii 13B STAR-CJiOSSED. man, and Tom would never be guilty of doing anything inhuman. Dismiss the thought from your mind " "I cannot dismiss the thought," said Mrs. Winthrop decidedly, " and I would not if I could. It is not char. acteristic of me to shirk a duty because it happens to be unpleasant, or to lose sight of the fact that the wel- fare of my children is, and must always be, my first consideration. Our family has heretofore been entirely exempt from scandal of any description. It has been our boast for a generation back. Judge then of my apprehension regarding this mysterious affair. My God! Dorothy, the realization of my fears will mean nothing less than social annihilation. Can you not see that I am right ? " "Yes; but you are looking on the darkest side, and I am sure things are not nearly so bad as you have deluded yourself into believing." The conversation was broken off at this point by the entrance of a servant bearing an elegantly monogramed card, upon which was inscribed the name of the Rev Luther Warren, Mrs. Winthrop's spiritual adviser. She' hurried away to see him, and Dorothy sought her own room, where, after a moment's reflection, as though forming some project, and uncertain whether or not to act upon it, she proceeded to don her street attire The interview which had just taken place disturbed her more than she would have been willing to confess In her own mind she felt that her mother did not ex- aggerate the gravity of the situation. In fact, the niore she dwelt upon the subject the more solicitous she became. So that by the time her toilet was com- pleted, she had determined to discover the truth even if it became necessary to appeal to Eric. She had held ' ^1 STAK-CJiOSSED. 139 aloof from hin. since the memorable evening of her last visit to her brother'*s house, when in passing through the hall she had accidentally overheard him express his opinion of womankind in general, and of herself in particular. She was pleased to consider herself deeply affronted upon that occasion, and de- spite all Eric's subsequent endeavors to effect a recon- ciliation still remained obdurate. To-day, however, pride was swallowed up in anxiety, and she resolved to seek him of her own accord, and beg him to let her into Tom's secret. By a singular fatuity she had been reading that morning a tale by Poe, of a physician who, in the interest of science, was induced to try the experiment of mesmerizing a dying man. The sub- ject when placed under the influence died at once, but the mesmdric power was so strong, that he not only retained the semblance of life for a whole year, but was able to respond intelligibly to ordinary questions. This ghastly tale had made a great impression upon Dorothy, and now, try as she would, she could not keep her mind from associating Tom's mysterious patient with the subject experimented upon in Poe's horrible story. It was the revolting possibility of any such appalling development that induced her to mrke an effort on her own part to sift the matter. Her forced calm when in the presence of her mother had been assumed. She knew it would never have done to aug- ment her fears by coinciding with her. So she had persisted in regarding them as delusive, even though her heart was beating with agonized doubt. Without giving any intimation of her intention, she slipped quietly out of the houscj took a street-car and rode into the city. Arriving at her destination she marched '(! 140 STAH-CROSSED. bo dly up the steps leading to her brother's home, and without nngmg the bell, opened the door and entered. The first person she ran against was Eric. The sud- denness of the unexpected encounter disconcerted her somewhat, but she found voice to request the favor of a few moments' conversation with him in the library and strength enough to follow him into the room with more than her usual dignity. J'^Tu^^^'l '•"'^''^^- y^'^'-wrap?" he asked as he offered her a chair. '' Thanks ! I do not intend to remain very long." NevCTtheless it would be better to take it off," he put in difl^dently. ' '' I prefer to keep it on," she returned stiffly ovJCr': J^°'°'^^'' ^" ^" ^'"P^°""S *°"«' bending over her and proceedh.g to unfasten it. ' " You are very persistent." "I know I am; forgive me. What an obstinate clasp, tugging awkwardly at it. " You will pull it to pieces." "It will only meet its deserts if I do. There 1 it yields at last, stubborn concern." The wrap disposed of he sat down. lortable pause. " I am quite well, thank you." " I have not seen you for an age, have I ? at lea«st " correcting himself, "for what sLs to me to have been an age." No reply to this, only a blank stare. ^^ You don't come to town as often as you did, do you?" 1 don t come her*, ae />ff«» — T JiJ .<• ., .. . you mean." "" ^"^" ~ * "'"' " '"*' * ^^at im STAR-CROSSED. l^ he asked as he fc an obstinate io. There! it er an uncom- " Why, Dorothy?" " For various reasons," curtly. Pause. Then from Eric : " It's — it's a rather warm day, don't you think ? " " Rather." " Quite like summer." "Quite." " Trees all beginning to blossom." No notice on her part of this brilliant observation. " How — how's your mother ? " " Very well, thank you." "And Agnes." " Very well, too." "And — and how are you ? Oh, excuse me, I did ask you that; I beg your pardon." " Don't mention it." " Won't — ^you take off your gloves ? ' " No." " Your— er— hat ? " "No." " Will you have something to drink — or eat ? " " Nothing at all." " Can — I get you a fan ? " " No, I thank you." " Tom isn't home." ^ "Indeed!" " See here, Dorothy," jumping up in desperation, " I can't stand this sort of thing any longer." " What sort of thing ? " placidly. " This slow process of torture with which you see fit to afflict me." "I?" " Yes, you ! don't feign innocence ; you know per- fectly well what I am driving at." 11 flit >4* (( I assure you, Mr If Hazelton- . you have anything to say to a\xt I have nothing to say," ' I know you have ! " me, say it •• " I have not." "^y^^'of^'^^^L^^ - take moved towards the doer *^^ ^^'^ ^« But Dorothy did not mean to let him .. •...he a. ™ :;- 3,«,~^^ ;~ She ,e.e. M. ; To JeZT" """= '" expressly." "Yes, you." .^ ;;porothy J " seizing .er hand eagerly, •' do you mean "Yes." "Oh. my—" ^' In what way, then ? " "I don't know." '-coquette L theTs;:"; oTrr; • ' ^•"' ^ --"■ "Do you want me to walk out of n,i. "To'^P^-^.foyo-^JongaslC?" "" '°°'" ""' ;; Well, thafs just what I nro„... .... . «" ™ «"- you are soro. ror.-he ^ay yfu' ZTC: , ■fmivar'Mi STAUCJiOSSED. «43 and — and that like me better than Jay it.' 'o 's to take the word he n escape. It Jld never do le seized him about some- pressly." \o you mean lim. " Not ^fow, h*sten ou a heart- room and iniess you lave been one! It treatmg i any one else in the world." " I will not be forced to say that declared Dorothy. " But I'm not any one — I am the or " I won't be forced to say that I like you.' " But you do, you cannot deny it." " I know I cannot deny it, but I do not mean to say it." "You don't?" "No, I don't!" " That's a capital joke. Do you not know that in admitting you cannot deny it, you acknowledge it ? " " I will acknowledge.it," put in Dorothy, diplomati- cally, " if you wUl tell me about the person Tom has concealed here in the house." " Good heavens ! " exclaimed Eric, dismayed at the turn the conversation had taken, "how abrupt you are. Tom has no one concealed in the house. There is a patient upstairs, if that is what you refer to." " Is he living ? " in a breathless whisper. "Living?" "Yes, alive!" " What do you mean ? " " I mean alive, the opposite of dead." " Certainly he is living. What would he be doing with a corpse ? " " Eric," in a low, solemn voice, " will you swear to me, on your sacred word of honor, tha't the man is alive, and has not been kept here for any blood-curdling experiment ? " "Are you mad, Dorothy ? " was ali Eric could gasp in reply. U4 ^TA/!.CA'0SS£D, swear ,t on your honor " **"' J""" '<> yourTe'ad ?" '"'""' "^'"^- >- P"' such an i.„a ,n.o '' No matter, swear it I" J do. I swear it." *' On your honor ? " "On my honor'" '^I'rL'rS^';,''"'''™-''-'^ '"g he was about o'etr.r":''- " ''°" P""'- not ask for any explaS t ""' •""'""■°" "'«^- Do not now. I haven? t,W t' ""^ '""* ' ""^y *«" XO", want to see ^Z^rLl'^^Vl^'' '"""'■ ' d""' »««. I don-t wama yte :row™G° !:"r ' "^^ yes, to be sure, my wrao it ^ Good-bye I Oh, ft. Thanksl " as he asskted h ^ "-"P'^^'y forgotten a" riirht. Good-bye aB5'„..h:,H° ""' " °"' " ""^ I'"> " Why you are alLf T' f'^'"^ ""* ^" hand, the matter ?•• ' °' " '^^"W^'" «"-d Eric, "what « Pe^istfd Mta"XT""' tt"' '''"^"'''"^'^-- company her to the fron t ^ ^''tP=™"ted him to ac him to kiss her cheek in oat^' 7' ''"' """ a»owed concession that shrcou,dT'"^' ^"'J'"^ '^as all the In spite of her failure to ?'''™'''' "P"" '" ™ake. Mrs. Winthrop sti? lent h " her son's secret, her chance. Eric sensWe of^'^'' °P^" and awaited •"■ains in the search?! u^" '"'P'"™'' --aked his This was continued wir/b!':'r^ '" ""'^^ "er. then a new difficutr rote t the "° '"""°"' ^"^ .=-.-., WHO couid not be persuaded 'toleepTwa;' STAK-CA'OSSED. »45 from the windows, or from running to the door of her apartment every time it was opened. Tom cautioned and explained as much as he dared, but she could not be brought to see things in the light he endeavored to put them before her. If the truth were known, her zealous nurses had become her slaves. It was almost pathetic to see the cool-headed, reflective Eric hang over her bed or rush away to obey her slightest wish. Tom was no less devoted, but he retained just some little influence and control. For instance, when she insisted upon getting up one day in his absence, and Eric had not the heart to say no, he ordered her im- mediately back to bed upon his return, and did not hesitate to show that he was much displeased. Of course, his ancrer was short-lived and peace was soon restored, bui the rebellious subject made no further attempt to overstep certain rules which her physician prescribed. It was shortly after this crisis that a con- sultation was held as to the advisability of removing her to a place of security. Tom said she must abso- lutely have fresh air. And Eric declared that he had exhausted his stock of fabrications to the extent that no single lie of any degree of originality remained in his vocabulary. It was time she was taken away, but "'here? that was the question. A great many plans entered Eric's sagacious brain. Although he still viewed Tom's passion in the light of an infatuation, he would have done anything in his power to have brought them together, being of the opinion that a man has no business to marry one woman and love another; but this scheme was beset with so many diffi- culties, that he was obliged to abandon it. So he wisely concluded to let matters adjust themselves, and which- 10 1.4 1 If ,'• 1146 STAR-CROSSED. during her illness, andTolthar'!'' '"'"''' '° ■>" of all danger, he incerXrnd f .^^ ''"" ""^ "« mote her welfare, "'^'y^"'' honestly desired to pro. . ^''"' ' ™»' of best servine her I,. . « 'ng at Tom's request to finf , '' °" one morn- her a temporao/home nrdW '" ""' *°"" '"^" what he desired w™houf c„t ^ t'J"""'"" g=«i"g fact, he spent severaFday iX "' ^^^''y- I" factory selection was ^i ' A?,"'"'- ''*'°^' " «"^ efforts were rewarded and V,; k ! ' ''owever, his secured. He took ft for a if '""■ "= ''* ^''^^d he drove towards home' "^'^^y""^ '° *'"•«" as that time, sure'" ^"""^'hmg will happen by -of tt;?cttd^tTo:r".^--''^-^>' h^ while he jogged U^ alon^ IhTZ "^'J' """-"^ at the beauty of the vou^f L'' ™*''' ■"arveling buttercups, Tnd aUhe'^ag^'^f thT' :"" ^°"^- blossoms, reflecting in exaufj^t!- ^ '""'' *"'' "^ite deep blue sky. '"lu'^'te harmony against the CHAPTER XII. MRS. WINTHROP'S DISCOVERy. Generva rose briffht an^ .1 morning. She felt SoJ^^jf^ ''".,*'"^ Particular she had done since her lo^J 'nd '"'' '■"^*" 'han ..."At last I am w.l,':h"f :,'/!?!- ■•"■;«.. -e tw,sted her auburn hair i^o Tc:/ " T'd'"^"' ^o"» and adjusted STAK-CROSSED. 147 one of the pretty white gowns which Mildred, by some kind of magic, seemed to have on hand whenever oc- casion required. It was one of those mild days in early Spring, when Nature has not only donned its fairest garments, but seems to undergo a constant and radiant metamorpho- sis. The scene, though ostensibly the same, is ever illumined by varying colors, whose gorgeous tints in- termingled with sunbeams almost suffice to dazzle the vision by the harmonious blending of their prismatic hues. Generva lingered long over her toilet, from the pre- cise arrangement of each refractory little curl to the fastening of the white gown, with its rows of fleecy lace and dainty satin ribbons. At last she was dressed ! The mirror before which she stood reflected a picture that seemed to satisfy her critical taste, for a smile lin- gered about her lips, and the faintest tinge of crimson stained her cheeks. " I improve," she commented, as she moved away and took a seat by the window. " Oh, what a blessed boon is health ! " With this she threw up the sash, and inhaled a deep breath of the fragrant air, and as she did so the pip- ings of many a songster fell upon her ears. It was indeed Spring; the birds, the sky, the soft warm breeze all proclaimed it. What gladness came with the knowledge! Her pulses bounded joyously; her soul was filled with rapture. She felt an unwonted energy pervading her hitherto languid frame. Her lassitude Ct^etimaA frw irnn'aoVt CV.^ ...— _ m^ 1<._~.._ .. 1- XT 1!/. had come with that first breath of Summer. As she stood thus looking dreamily out of the win- r I' 148 STAH-CROSSED. dow, Tom entered. The strain of .u had not been wiUout its er.^^'*'^°"^°"*^« was careworn, and there wa! "''"" ^''"- ^'^ ^^ce eyes which dll upon the tal'W""r^ ^'^^^ ^'" ^^e tened forward to L^t ht He'd^d' '?"" ^'^' ^-■ but consented himself wi^h \.l °' 'P""^ ^' ^'^'^ silent too. Presently hrtooihP'^''^ ^^" ^^^ to him. Shemadeno res;^''^'"^^"^^^-wher softly, whereupon he smLheTr? ''"' '^' ^'^^hed and sighed softly ^^^f^^^^^hed her hair from her brow "Are you not well to-dav ?" oU - a little nearer to him anHi? • I '"q^'red, drawing his arm. ^"^^^^'"e: ^^'^ hand lightly upof * No," he began. " I am " 1, j- , He groaned LtJ a„"~ ol L' ""' ''"'^''• only that her arms stole ab^uth,' T' ^" ^^^y^ him close. ""' •"" "=<:k. and clasped "You love me now, Generva " h. j , upturned face in his hands "h^^; =*«•'. taking her when you know." Aeata ^'k , ^''" '""despise me tence unfinished. ^ ^' '"■°'^" "" «"d '=« his sen- ;; Know what? "she inquired gently Nothmg," was the short reply. ^' V ou ARE suffering " d,.. • • into his clouded countenance "T'lr""^ ---^^y me what is the matter." ^ ^°" ^ould tell " I cannot," he sairi a;^ chnging arms and b^^tnt^Tf^ ''""^' ^^^^ h- room. ^g'nnmg to pace up and down the " Why ? " she persisted • « «,J, upon a sofa and essavinrfo ;:""'!.''' by me," sinking essaying to draw him down beside her 'i\ STAR-CROSSED. 149 " You can not," he protested, " no one can." " Let me try." " I tell you it is impossible." "May I at least know the cause ? " " That is impossible too." " How can it be ? " " You are the cause yourself," he burst out, throw- ing himself down beside her of his own accord. " How so ? " she inquired in pained surprise. ' You won't succeed in cheering me if you persist u asking questions." "Well, I won't persist." "That's a good girl!— I'm a stubborn fellow." " Are you sorry I came to you, is that it ? " "My dear child! I thought you promised not to question me." " But it is very trying to be kept in the dark, when the person one cares most for is in trouble. Don't you agree with me ? " " I suppose so." " Does your head ache ? " "Yes." " Poor head ! " stroking it ; " some eau de cologne, perhaps ? " "No; I detest it!" A silence. Then : " Do you like me in this white gown ? " " Yes," absently, " very much." " I put it on to-day because it was so warm that I thought perhaps you would let me go out for a walk " Once for all, Gencrva," said Tom, sitting upright and speaking sternly, " I waat you to understand that ISO S7'A/i-cj!0ssED. you cannot stir from fh« ' I have told you so 4:;^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^ess the house, -nable." His countena™^;!^" -e very unrea- an expression of extreme «^'^'''P'^"^^«sumed both harsh and perem^l ^'"'^' ^"' ^'^ ^«ne was Generva started as though he h.A . , had never addressed her a h.t '"'^ ^^^' "^ before. She struggled w.>h ^ f °' ^" ""'^'"^ ^ord hut it was no us^e^e ft" f burst into tears. ^^^^-^ontrol gave way and she Tom was aghast u^ ^4. '"rief space, 4tirea,"^^':rat'h """''" '"="« "" - responsible f„; her grie hi !L f,'"^. ""= ''°"« *»» « if by magic, and he cauthtr''™'^ ""S" -"-"ed a™s. Every endearL epljL >"■ ""P"'»'^«'y •■• his lavished upon her but afl m f """ 'Wnkofhe ",- deep,;, and ke ^ pfarTL"; """^ ^"^"'^^ almost beside himself ''''''^''' ""«' he was '-Hit^nr-r^f^" --'--•-■» expected the torpedo upon ^1^,^^^' "'""'^''^ = ^^ burst every day and blow him o n^ ""*' ''""^''e "> which causes for anxiet7w? 1 '""^^-any one of h.-s ill-humor and ^1^^ ^^^ account for this combination of worries co„M °,*'"^' "°' ^-'en towards her ? Nothing so h^t^Mj"'"'^ ^' ''"'''"ess ■« he kissed herquivXi^'^'t'T'"" """"-sefully, with her to forgive WmM'^ h? ^"^^''' ^"<' "'--•'ed with all the strength oTwhch hi "' *"= '""='' ^" a^ little selfishness as is^„ »h '' "Pable,and with As he sat there holding /l";"-"' — to love, of the tie which bound hi^M-!.'" ^" '""'' thinking .,, """""ler, the lines: STAR-CROSSED. 151 s the house. • very unrea- ech assumed his tone was k her. He "kind word r a moment, ay and she lence for a alone was ?er melted vely in his hink of he wounded '^ he was orts, It fs a^ia; he mding to yone of ownt for lot even arshness rsefully, pleaded ved her nd with o love, blinking came back to him. Star-crossed indeed this love of theirs, though she, of course, did not know it. But was it not right that she should know? Was it not his duty to tell her ? He was strongly tempted to do so, but the thought of that little tear-stained handkerchief which he had just now tucked away in his pocket, and the sight of the white face, which still bore traces of weeping, unmanned him, and try as he would he could not bring himself to speak the words. He was literally torn with conflicting doubts and fears. He dared not allow himself to think of what it was all going to come to ; for to do so was to conjure up a perfect army of perplexities. He had permitted himself to drift along during her illness in his usual desultory fashion, promising himself to take a firm stand when she should have recovered ; but with her restoration to health, came such deep pity for her weakness and such overwhelming tenderness for her- self, that his resolutions fell to the ground, and were likely to stay there. Every day brought with it fresh complications, and they now seemed to surround him on all sides. The servants in the house were gossip- ers ; his mother had become so anxious that she was little better th&n a spy. Beatrice had grown suspicious and Eric apprehensive. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that he had lost control over himself. But he was very penitent when once he succeeded in prevailing upon her to look at him, and tell him that he was forgiven. "And you shall go to the country next week, my darlinc/' he said as he settled her corrffortably among the pillows of tlTe sofa, and rose to take his leave. " Next week, sure! Eric is searching far and near to i5» STAH.CJtCfsSED Summer Will s^^rblXTe'" ''"''"""'"«'' '°Wy."for oummerf " t. * '" him. She wouwTnoTi,';' T^ ''"""'•"' ^'""gely -°;'d have even sh„w7he 1.=" Summer came. He '«d already shown heTVo ' h'"'""'^ ?'""« « he everything there was to be? ,/','"'' "-^"^ '"'d her *ord bring such a sense of •^''^ "-«" *d the «f »hook it off as wen as he cor'"" '" "''^ "'•"d Good-bye, dear! I am Li ' '^^'"^^ ;7 sick patient and I won?"^ °"' °' '"''" '^ «« a Take good care of yours^f ! "IT ''«'<'« evening keep away fro„ the wldol ' "'°™ ""' ^"enervf he added quickly. °"'' ^°'' ""ght catcj cold'' Taking a tender leav^ „» i. Generva spent the better oar^^r..-' ""'^'"ed away ■ng writing (she had begun thf, ^ '"°"'- Real' -ouWmake her /amo^ ^t' fTt""'^'' ^""^ ''^''■-"' °f the ,^an she loved so well J '""^' ^"^ """Wng ng of h.m for that matterind 7' ^'"'^J'^ th'nk «;ange, sweet, subduing influen'*".'*''""^ "P"" 'hi, her hfe, and enveloped he" so ""','"' ^^^ ""« into tenous charm. What » h • 1 """P'etely in its mvs -;!d —w hat?; MiSf :4r """""" •"«"*;■ to hve in it! And this W» «. * '">' '" he allowed "me to her. What a Lh "' """ ^" ""^o-ght had "•d sighed and e«„\tpt"rr"f" She tfembled »™ong the pillows of th7?' 'h '" f ** '^^ there What mattered it that Tom h^H T" "'°''^'« "hout it t'°r!V-" ^° -" ' So" ne^'^u?-™??"-'- -hen - in the open softly, "for d strangely came. He ■ture as he 'e told her n did the his mind ? " to see a - evening. Cenerva, c} cold," <^ away. ^ Read- beh'eved •hinking s think- >on this me into s mys- ace the ilowed It had mbled there out it. when while ngof STAR-CROSSED. 153 her drama, and busying herself with the dozen or more exalted personages comprised in the cast. A glance at the draft she had made of the play was suf- ficient to show that she possessed a keen dramatic in- stinct, that she knew how to classify and arrange, there- by achieving an effect ; and that she was thoroughly conversant with stage business. She had chosen for her theme the war of 1855 between France and Rus- sia, and laid her scene about the time of the taking of Sebastopol. Her story dealt with the adventures of a Russian princess, who, in the employ of the French government, endeavored by her charms to glean from Genex-al Ivan Orlofl a knowledge of the plans of the Russian army, of which he commanded an important division. Finding him invulnerable and her arts of no avail, she conceived for him a bold passion, and re- solved to win his love by becoming his partisan, and helping him to a glorious victory over the French. Accident, however, revealed to her that he was enam- ored of her ward, an innocent and beautiful girl, who had but recently quitted a convent. Her rage and jealousy at this discovery passed all bounds. Through a spy disguised as a servant, and in the employ of Or- loff, she gained access to his private apartments ; pos- sessed herself of certain documents containing impor- tant military information, and without delay forwarded them to the Minister of War at Paris. He acted promptly. A sudden and decisive attack was made, which resulted in the Russian's defeat. General Or- lofl was wounded in the encounter, and the Princess, in an aconv of remorse- sought him out- confessed her love and laid her fortune (which was considerable) at his feet. In this way she hoped to atone, but his reply n If * I '54 STAH-C/fOSSED. # tT:„:j„:: r troi';?r''^""- -<^ ^^ >■- terrupted. The "oZri^^i hi! 'i;'""" "'"' ■"■ brought forward, and LyLL^^ w '" ™' """ -e .e .,e3 o, the . Ja;rarolr„3.t -;^<"Jtrc^e:::^:-rarar^ a~h; rtj; t-\tr "^ ''"/-"" She- She determined o p i^ o^tTh: °Z' '^=""' "■'" present let it resf "tL ^ t """''' '""^ '<»• ""e the beginni' 1 " I^ ""* T^^' '° ""•= '» me as effort o^n n^la^' A^ ^oT::^^!. ML^" r'""" patient and the play will finii telf " ' ""''' *° "^ walr Jntd^of fh- tv;:v"""'r '-^ ""« ^'-^ i" her work, somehow or oth^lh: feht "' '"''°^''^'' ■t still. Assured of it, she bussed he ^fwfth TT "' tions as were well worked o„f n • . "''' P"""" tion, the hours flew rtoidlv h u^? '" ^" °«"P«- took up her Den J^f 1^ ^' '"""''=•' »""' «gam was forLTo ^X^'l^ ^ ^Tj;. ^'she rest, she decided "anH fh T ^^^- ^ ^'^^ •|fc«to«-b-^ ■ STAR-CROSSED. »55 it ? Ennui was devouring ber. She wanted something to do ; some one to speak to ; or, better still, sonre- where to go. Even to walk up and down the thickly carpeted corridor would be a diversion. Dared she venture ? She trembled as she asked herself. Why not ? They were overcareful in confining her so closely. It was a mistake. She must steal a look be- yond her prison. Every moment served to increase the temptation. Unable to longer resist it, she seized a light shawl, threw it over her shoulders, and with the train of her dress in her hand slipped cautiously across the threshold. No one was in sight. The beautiful wide hall, with here and there a bronze statue but partly visible in the dim light, elicited from her undis- guised admiration. She strolled up and down, pausing before the im- ages, gazing with eager eyes at the landscapes upon the walls, and occasionally sinking into a low chair with a sigh of perfect satisfaction. Then she grew bolder, and took to peeping into rooms, the doors of which mostly stood ajar. Here she found food for unlimited speculation. That was Tom's, this was Eric's, that the guest chamber; she divided them all off according to her pleasure. But at last even this grew monotonous. Like Alexander she longed for more worlds to conquer. Suddenly she conceived the Idea of going down-stairs. No sooner resolved upon than done. She turned at the landing, and proceeded to descend. One step, another, still another, and then -—something attracted her attention. Her heart gave a p-reat bound : she prrasoed the railing^, looked down, and to her unutterable consternation perceived a lady standing in the hall below. It was a critical moment, .'g ! I ; ^S6 STA/i-C/iOSSED. "".bfand her heart b! / "^V^' ''"'"'«'' '" «"y despair she wa."ed A ^""°""°"- With inward ensued. ' ^ """"«"' »' '""We suspense va^'e^^tif jider' h^'sea"' f ''"'' '''"^'"^- ^-- b.„sh^uffn3e;"ht"h' her; l,-;! ^-''■"L"' \ ""? nable minutes must have elapsed htr fu '"'"""■ eyes and inflexMe' t ce^lTuf a ST; t" "■' ""' would there was no Idin" 'it n'lr "'•"' ^'"= «.comin.asitdidi„fhrC^rp^-t:?; .^e^™s:i;::^\--c:-^-erears. and ;:[asVi!i";::Tf ■'• "^ ""'^ ''■"■-'■ she clasped against h7f„X t r^nt' b''"^^^'' "■'■" effort gained sufficient cZ't^ol to ^ ^ ^ '"P™""' which simple as it was, neverth ,ess cZf^^"' " '''"^• torture. "I =„_, 'V. ""'""= "s' her exquisite she succeeded Z.;^ilZi^^''%:''"''t"'K''" ered and drew her shaft JJuZ'- ^ '^' ""'"■ Ah I ">-'-dy took a step back. Again that rustle STAR-CJiOSSED. »S7 of silk. Generva could have shrieked at the sound. " Do not let me interfere with you. You were coming •down?" This in a questioning tone. "No!" stung to the quick by the scorn in her ad- dress, and turning to retrace her steps. " You have been ill, I infer ? " evidently seeking to detain her. "Yes." " A long time, I should judge ? " "Yes," again. " Pray do not let me frighten you." Generva was at the head of the stairs. " I merely called in to see the doctor. He is from home, perhaps ? " " Yes, madam." " May I inquire where he has gone ? " " I do not know. He left the city to-day." " Can you tell me when he is likely to return ? *' " This evening, he said." " Thanks ! that is all I want to know. Good-bye ! I am sorry to have troubled you with so many ques- tions, though it was quite necessary that I should do so. Still questions are bad form, and I apologize. Good-bye ! " Again that rustle of silk ; again that glit- ter of jewels, and the door closed behind her. Generva staggered, like one who had lost the power of sight, to her room. Her head ached intensely; she was dizzy, confused, unnerved. Who could she be ; would she betray her ? why did she adopt that chill- ing manner to one who was a perfect stranger. What did her commanding attitude mean ; why was she so cold, so cruel, so insolent ? These and various other surmises racked her brain, and as a result a va ue un- kfjt-ii 158 S/'AA'C/iOSSED. easiness took possession of her. Trifling as was the Ter She' f T^ ' '"' "° °^''"^^^ ^•'"•«""" ^- ' her. She felt .ts importance, realized its gravity and her woman s instinct warned her against it. She re- gretted beyond expression her indiscretion in ventur- ^•^"Jvk' "P"':'^ "'• ^^^ ^"^ ^°'^ '^^' ^he must not doit. What spirit of evil could have prompted the tTy. . ^'T^'^ '"'^ overwrought, sh^- finally burst anidl'' r"'^ 'T- ^^^"-hile the train bore Tom rapidly homeward. Eager and impatient he swung himse f from the platform of the cars before they came to a standstill in the depot. What would he have sa^d had he been aware pf what had taken place in his ab sence What would Eric have said, as he also hastened along triumphant in the success of having at last found The Bower of Bliss," which was the name he had given Alas 'tf'?^ ""'"' '"''"^' '°^ ^^"--'^ h°-e? Alas .there IS no answer to the questions. They never knew that she had seen and spoken with Mrs. Winthrop no more than she did herself, until some six months' later, when she again (and under, oh, such vastly differ ent circumstances !) came face to face with her"^ tZu too laTe'T^ '"''. ""^^^^' ''''''' '^"^ ^h-n 't was of men .* "'°"''' " an eternity in the affections CHAPTER XIII. CASTE. After her interview with Generva, Mrs. Winthroo walked comoosedlv fmrr^ k^> ,. V vvmtnrop , , , • "•' ' "•-» 3"« a XlOUSe. Shp r>r dered her coachman to drive home, and bowed a. the STAK-CHOSSED. »59 same time with unwonted graciousness to a passing friend. Leaning back in her carriage she adjusted her gloves, buttoning them carefully. Another ac- quaintance appeared. Again she inclined her head and smfled — a little paler, a little colder than was her wont perhaps, othe, A'isc; ♦lot the faintest trace of emotion could be d ;t<;cted > Jon her immovable coun- tenance. She was ij p rfect adept in the art of dis- simulation. Uninterruptedly the vehicle rolled along until the unpretentious, but fashionable church of the West End came in view, whereupon she suddenly remembered that it was the day of the Woman's Foreign Mission meeting. Tapping upon the glass, she told the driver to stop; and she stepped Irom the coach into the sanctuary. Her most intimate friends, the 61ite of the social world, were there assembled ; for Mrs. Win- throp had begun by patronizing the church, and the church had necessarily become the fashion. Very quietly she took her accustomed place at the Secretary's desk, and for two endless hours assisted in the discussion of the subject proposed. She was calmer, prouder, more haughty than ever before. Was it that her marvelous instinct perceived the semblance of a shadow upon the stern and unrelaxing features of Caste ? Did that sphinx-like face conceal beneath its suave impenetrability, a covert sneer of lurking triumph ? Was Caste arraigned against her ? She shivered involuntarily at the thought and set her white teeth firmly together. She was brave ; but she woman's endurance. The Society adjourned. The ladies chatted a little iM^i 1 60 STAH-CJiOSSED. and dispersed. Was it fancy, or did her most de- vout followers linger by her side a little less than they were in the habit of doing ? Did not Mrs. Loftus her particular aversion, fail to overwhelm her with' the usual protestations of regard and admiration ? Could It be that those zealous and faithful worshippers had perceived, as did she herself, the almost imperceptible change that had come over the austere visage of Caste ? During the drive homeward she speculated, in her characteristically passive manner, upon these dread possibilities. Alarming as they were, the indomitable woman commended them, or rather the chance that had brought them under her notice. Upon her arrival she went directly to her room, and leaving orders that under no circumstances was she to be disturbed, turned the key in the lock. She was alone, or she thought she was; but, lo! out of one of the closets emerged a figure, whose fleshless bones rattled audibly as it stalked across the floor. She sighed deeply as she recognized It, but she did not despair. "It is a Winthrop skeleton," she murmured sup- pressing another sigh; "it is sure to be amenable " And she was right. The obtrusive visitor sat down beside her upon the sof i, folded its arms, and guarded a decorous silence. It was as she feared. The hot and rancorous breath of scandal had fallen upon her fondest hope and seared and shriveled it into a crumbling ruin. She was as firmly ccavinced that the world (her world) knew what she herself had only just discovered, as though her frien' Mrs. Loftus had nrnrlaim^,* ,> ^i^..j .•_ .?_ church hard by. That somethag had gone abroad was unmistakable ,vn STAH-CHOSSED. i6z ft7eHTh'" *^^her certain knowledge discretion had formed the most important feature in it How then, had this well-guarded s'ecret become known? Alas! walls have ears they say, and it cTn readily be conceived. How little a thing i. is for he maid of one household to whisper to the maid of T^T ''n/"^' ^"' ^"^^ '^ ^'^ --• And why should not Mary entertain her mistress by the delK cious bit of gossip, concerning the one woman she knows her to envy, because of her position, her wealth or even the cut of her gown, more cMc than her lady: ship s own and imported at a greater expense ? Now, what was more likely than that Mrs. Loftus (once in possession of some similar intelligence) should. l^L I -""""u 1 ^^^^^«"^ble calls, find a siniste; delight m being the first to communicate and elabor- ate upon It? Regarding the unapproachable Win- throps, too; the Winthrops who held their heads so high who themselves were instrumental in propound- ing the inexorable laws that governed and held in ab- ject submission the social world. " How the mighty are fallen ! " This was the very expression which escaped that lady more than once on this memorable afternoon. There was not the slightest doubt but that her infor- m^ion was of the most untrustworthy nature; still it sufficed to set vicious rumors afloat and hundreds of tongues a wagging. It was more than enough to furnish evil scandalmongers with a theme whereon their most vituperative tendencies could be exercised unrestrainedly. For in no less than half a dozen different circles the subject was evCn at that moment under discussion. ■,%l i '^ w^ l62 STAJi-CROSSED. '* Incredible," Mrs. Loftus was saying to Mrs. Van- derpool; "astounding! I never in all my life heard anything like it ! I never expect to again. I had my suspicions, though," with an air of importance and a chuckle of delight. " Indeed," returned her friend, " what gave rise to them?" " Well, to tell the truth, my dear, I never did see what there was in the Winthrops for people to make such a to-do abcrjt. I know her hair is bleached." " It is certainly very white for a woman of her age," agreed Mrs. Vanderpool. "Age!" exclaimed Mrs. Loftus, "she's sixty-five, if she's a day ! And t'sen her husband — " " Her husband, what about him ? " . " Oh ! it's a dreadful thing to think of, but I heard tbat the doctors never could find out what he really died of." "Horrible!" " He was very fast, too, they say." " Was he, indeed ? " " Like father like son, you know." " Yes, but Mrs. Loftus, what is it about Tom ? Do tell me — in strict confidence, you know. I can't find out the lea thing worth knowing. I tried my best at the church meeting to-day." " Do you mean to say that you haven't heard it's about an actress ? " "An actress ? " with a suppressed shriek. "Goodness, no!" " Well, it is ! She was seen in his house," impres- sively. " Oh ! " breathless with suspense. if STAJi-CHOSSED, 163 than twL" \nT' ""'"^ ^" '^''"'"''■' "■""e dozen Tmlr'Tv' '"'P''-'^-" "-"re than half a HM „ . K ^'"* ""^^ " "'^^^ fabrication, but she ''Scandalous!" gasped Mrs. Vanderpool. ^^ Outrageous ! " declared Mrs. Loftus. " Where did she come from .? " " Heaven knows ! " ''And to have h'^r in his house! why, it's the most audacious proceeding I ever heard of ! " "So it is, and his marriaee with Mi«j! n r ""' '' '^^ ^"^^^^ °f Caste tottering upon its^ pedestal, and any moment liable to fall in a thousand fragments to the ground r Yes, Caste was the adversary which Mrs. Winthrop diplomatist that she was, feared to look in ihe flee' Caste was the contingency that she was unprepared to W !' . .?' " anathematizing deity, as merciless to her as to the simplest- follower in its train. here a bright Idea occurred to her-unless she could outwit Caste There was a bare chance of being able ufficT^cf *'"' '"*. *'^* '^^- -- - <^hance^at all sufficed She seized it with avidity and began to weigh the obstacles likely to interfere. - Everything must yield, she decided-everythine un- reservedly! All must give way in the great c!C. No sacrifice too great, no means too bold, nothing, however good or great or worthy or innocent, be ^^^Ta' ., ^^^ ^°'"^ *° ^^ ^ *^°"^bat to the death, and deadly weapons were indispensable. The decep- tion concerned her alone-that was soon disponed of. She buried it away among the other griefs which had come to her in the course of her life, with a sigh, but with eyes in which there was not the suspicion of a The next point in the case touched Tom's fall from grace. It is astonishing how little this fall affected 'f,-ji "''■" - ^'' -iUffiEl 1 66 STAR-CROSSED. her. "The girl is prefcty," she argued, " and "- .veU she would not go into details. It v. is not in her code to expect too much of men; were Uiey not all vvenk and fallible? But how was Beatnce to be /econ- cilcd to such fallibility? Mrs. Winthrop <.id not dwell upon tin's rpeculii'ion, time was too piecivcs. She made a .'vie of it, however, and passed on to tlie next item, whici; wa/ the possible low marriage. That, iortunateiy, ^* ? could prevent. Tom, by some means or other, shoci.; be removed from the temptation, or tJie temptation by some means or other removed from Tom. Why not a European tour, until gos-ip sub- sided, with Beatrice of the party, providing, of course, she Lould succeed in getting her to look upon fallibility in the proper light ? However, that was to be an after consideration; there remained nothing now for her to overcome but her outraged sense of virtue, her wounded pride, and Caste's animadversions. And here arose the stupendous difficulty; here was where, all the craft, dexterity and adroitness which she could command might not serve her purpose. Albeit she would try; and try she did, patiently and persist- ently. The night wore wearily away and still she kept her unflagging vigil. All the color faded from her face, all the lustre from her eyes ; her features became pinched and drawn under the self-imposed strain, and her slender hands, weighed down with gems, trembled in her lap. And still she sat there — thinking. The first gray streaks of dawn revealed h . . orn and haggard, sti n the same attitude klA ■■' think- • •^fP A ■n.\. lasi.. a ■,st, ai I idea J i _ J - uiirtcu through her fertile brain it ?. :d set about to lay the plans by whici f nt ning Quick as a flash/ ^gf rasped r f^ant ifci5"*««a|M»t,S STAK.CIIOSSED. 167 to defeat her enemy. The means were simple She or/sr " "™ '"^ -"-' °' --'^"-"■ ^ According to her theory the affair stood thus- her . son s^nnection with a young woman of the theatre had become known. Admitted. She did not intend to deny this, but she did propose to conn ct Mr Hazelton's name with that of the real culprit and" throw as much if „„t all, of th« blame upon 'him demal would ever come from his lips; she knew him JITiis idea abroad, there would be a revulsion of feeing m favor of Tom. He would become Ihero Beatrice, always willing to coincide with poDulT; opm,on, whatever her secret scruples, would be pad fied and lastly, Dorothy, who (in spite of their manv ™"»"«/)"i" persisted in her faithfulness tTa man whom Mrs. Winthrop was resolutely determined 4„uld to shatter the last remnants of her affection. Mr^'^WrthrL"""' ""■'' " '''™^= '" ="" ""«™«d- Mrs. Winthrop was a great believer in the healin«. P<«er of fme. Tom would be constantly under hef and-well she did not know just what might occur a^d'skui t: "": f r' i"' ""'^ '^""'-^ ^^^^^ both Bv llT V°' ^" ''"'P°=^' ^''^ P°««^=d both. By the time this point was reached she was IriM^.l^r.^in '"■". ^^"^"■- -d loss of sleep. U ,,.,,^^ uciore sne prepared to retire. As she sank prostrate upon her bed the skeleton arose and gliding noiselessly across the room, disappeared w'th 1 'i •1 -t i68 STAR-CROSSED. an almost imperceptible rattle of bones into the closet whence it came. Mrs. Winthrop raised her head and regarded it attentively; after which she sought her pillow and closed her eyes. "At least it was well bred 1 " she murmured, and fell asleep. CHAPTER XIV, THE BOWER OF BLISS. Several weeks after Mrs. Winthrop's discovery, an article appeared in one of .the daily papers that caused Tom and Eric considerable trepidation. It mentioned no names, but the scurrilous insinuations it contained were unmistakable. It is perhaps needless to aflfirm that these pointed maikedly in their direc- tion. Tom was completely nonplussed — not so mi ch because of the venom which characterized the para- graph, nor indeed the paragraph itself. His fears arose from the probable effect it might have in arous- ing the suspicions of his mother, which, above all, he most wished to avert. As time went by and no seri- ous consequences seemed likely to follow, these fears began to abate. For various reasons, though, he not only became a frequent visitor at her house, but con- trived that she should hav.e an excuse to become a frequent visitor at his. After her eventful contre- temps, she was not slow to embrace the opportunity to thoroughly investigate his premises ; and she only breathed freely when an effectual search revealed not the slightest trace of the obnoxious person. ^-tiwc^a^ ^^^i'-^^'M STAR-CROSSED. 169 " They have sent her away," she said mentally, " and they have sent Mildred, too." This did not trouble her a great deal, for in fur- thenng their own ends, they little realized how much they were advancing hers, or how she commended the secrecy and discretion they observed. "She suspects nothing," declared Tom, "absolutely nothing ! ' "I am not so sure of it," replied Eric, dubiously nor was he There was something in her manner which caused him to doubt. He knew perfectly that nothing escaped her notice, newspaper items headed Society Gossip," especially. And added to this was the profound silence she observed upon the subject which but a little while before gave her ground foi^ unhmitcd discussion. The more he dwelt upon it the oftener he found himself in her presence, the firmer grew his conviction that there were perfectly reason- able grounds for his impressions. Tom could not be brought to realize this; he scoffed and ridiculed the Idea, but Eric stood to hi.c opinion and waited, not without anxiety, for furthci uevelopments. In the interval the idea occurred to him that it might not be a bad plan to make a tour of the princi- . pal club and billiard rooms, in which resorts he was sure to pick up scraps of any gossip going the rounds. The success that attended this proceeding exceeded his wildest hopes— indeed it succeeded in ruffling him iU)t a little, fr , being taken completely unawares, he was almost^ .tirayed into an avowal, which had* it escaped him, would have more than sufficed to bring Mrs. Winthrop's well-bred skeleton from its hiding, place. And he came nearer giving utterance to these ■« • 170 STAR-CJiOSSED. words than he. ever did to anything in his life. They actually trembled on his lips before he thought of their consequences and suppressed ^^ a. . cr it did not take htm long to discover that he was the Lothario accredited with the esclandre. Mrs. Winthrop did not ayh:, plans m vain, nor count too much upon the loyaltj of her victim. He was quick to see that by takmg the blame upon himself, he would exonerate his l.^end, and then he never hesitated. He 'aughed the affair off as a huge joke, and offered no denial of it, and the belief in his guilt was thereby confirmed. The sacrifice was f-eely made, and he never would have regretted it, but for the time that came, when his word was not sufficient to give Jte lie to the accusation. * * * * » » Two apparently uneventful months passed away It was July. The last rays of a hot summer sun fell in yellow beams upon the broad veranda of a pictur- esque little cottage nestlin.^snugl against .1 hill. The windows were flun, pen, and a ^cntle breeze stirred the lace curtains with which they were hung The wide walk lined on efV^r side by bright flc er-beds wound in a sweeping curve througi the -rounds, and the smooth green lawn sloped to a g.^ vay overgrown with wild-rose and southernwool i ,e hou.o was low and rambling, and a piazza f. dy .ung with wrod- bine stretched entire / arounr . little in the dis- tance waving fields of grain gi ,med m the sunlight- gi |ssy meadows dotted with flowers nestled in shady vales, and bejond rose a ange of purple hills sharply outlined ap-ainmt fhf» rl/Mi,4o t^ *i ^i. • . _ .,,. i„ 5^.„ iioTui, m a granu sweep, stretched a sheet of water ablaze with the STAH-CROSSED. 171 he e Li., ''"k'""? "P°" ''' ^ ^°f' '^y' flecked ovlrh ^ n"' ^^ ''^'^ °^ ^°^^'"& ^'°"dlets, spread overhead, hke a vast dome, pale and azure tinled^ and gently ,n upon the stillness came a tinkle of bells and a murmur of kine lowing in the daisied pastures. Under the shade of one of the stately trees stood Generva a fair picture in . f such. One glance into her blooming face and shining eyes was sufficient to dis- rn the ^reat benefit she had imbibed from these new conditions. Her strength Was completely restored ^n^ ,.,;.u u . nappy contentment. The past, like 'an unpkasant dream, seeified to have faded from her memory. She ■««MSK-«M»«si*i 17a STAJi-CKOSSED. lived, as was indeed natural to her, wholly in the to- day. The to-morrow was too far away even to waste a thought upon. If the future ever came in upon the present it did not mar its harmony, for love was her world, the Bower of Bliss her home. She had found her heaven for a little while. No whisper of the world, no breath of its doings, ever reached this charmed dwelling- place. The days here were perfect. She spent them in following her favorite pursuits. She read, and wrote, and wandered under the trees lost in idle day dreams; and every evening brought her lover, or her friend, or both. She was waiting for them at that moment, and not in vain, for even then a footstep sounded upon the gravel walk and she ran lightly across the lawn. It was Eric, who hastened forward to meet her; Eric, who took both her hands and pressed them' ' warmly in his own. "I knew it was you," she said, flashing a bright glance upon him; "I knew it at once." "And you could not suppress a little feeling of dis- appointment that it didn't happen to be somebody else. Eh? Come, own up!" "I will not,"— strolling with him to a rustic seat near by. " I am glad to see you ; you know it." " Virtue meets its own reward," replied Eric. " He will be out by and by. As soon as he can get away from his mother, who was at the house when I left." "Indeed," murmured Generva, almost under her breath. " Did you dine ? " "Yes. thanks." " ^ ■. ■ ■ ■ . " You will perhaps take something now f" ■ STAKCROSSED. «73 " A cigar, if you will permit me, and I know you will. It's a very good one," offering it for her inspec- tion. •' It looks as though it might be." •' Have you a match ? " '• A box full." " Then you are happy." " Very. Are you ? " " Can you doubt it ? " " No. One would be blind who failed to perceive that. I don't want to flatter you, and I am not in the habit of paying compliments, but you grow more beau- tiful every day of your life. Of course, you know it, though you wouldn't be a woman if you didn't." "Yes," she admitted, with arch simplicity, " I know it — but not because I am a woman. Have not both you and Tom told me of it repeatedly ? If I grow vain you will have yourselves to blame." "We have ourselves to blame for a good many things," said Eric, sententiously. " I do not believe it," she maintained, stoutly. " Generva," knocking the ashes from his cigar and l-egarding her attentively, "you are making a sort of god out of Tom, and offering him a homage which he neither deserves nor appreciates ; for he is a ihan, and ■ men have a habit of taking things for granted. Now, it may be a waste of breath ; but I warn you, your idol is clay — common clay at that, and likely to crum- ble in your hands or fall to pieces at your feet. Think about it, my dear," with a pufi, " when you are al6n« and have nothing better to do." ■ ' ' ' ' " If my idol break," she retorted, laughingly, " I will ^ay with the poet; In this hour I could wish Thy noble strength would fail thee For then, perchance, my wanton h^rt Less truly might bewail thee- And even though I knew tha't thus Thy faith and trust were broken Still would the shattered relics bL To me a priceless token! " " Romanticist, you wrote that ' " " It would be useless to convince vo„ «^ r t denial." v.uuvince you, so I make no '' Where will all this lead you ? " Who can tell? I am in Paradise now." ., ^as Juhet chimerical, think you ? " ^^ bhe was at least faithful." " Even as you would be ? " " Even as I would be " thepo'etr ^°" '■"""" ^°" '--•'»' "oti-s from ,J:^^'' '■ " '-'^'^'y- " ^^'^y -e my constant com- " How does the play come on > tu .> change„fsubject.b„'tiLrnV::tteI"^'' " '''^'" act. \tch:w"am' " M '"^ ^''"''"°" °' '"e last „i,l ,. ''"'^'"»' am unable to write that, try as I " Why not ? " STAJi-C/iOSSED. » ^. 175 " I doubt it. You see, it is the fate of the Princess that I cannot determine." "She being, more or less, yourself." " No ; how can you say so ? " "Because I was struck with a similarity when I looked over the first part of the manuscript." ." It is a mistake. I do not at all resemble her." " In a measure, I agree with you. For instance, you would not do as the Princess did, but you would feel as she felt if the man you loved failed to return your affection and lavished his attentions upon another You would suffer as she did if placed in the same position. Don't you think you would ? " " I might ; I do not know. But how does that ac count for my apparent inability to bring to a fitting close her unhappy career .? " "I think I can explain," and Eric threw his dgar away. " Now, we have first to deal with her love for General Or loff. There i where the resemblance be- tween you strikes me most, and there you found little difficulty. Why ? because you knew what love was and you breathed passion, your own passion, into the being created by your fancy. Now we come to her frenzied jealousy of the rival who has blighted her hopes. There your ready imagination did you good service, and you were keenly sensible of the emotions such would incite. Is not that so ? " " It may have been," she agreed. "Well, this fierce jealousy would of itself suggest a revenge. You conceived the idea for the Princess even as you would have been capable of conceiving it for yourself. In reality, of course, you would not have been able to effect it; but that's not the point :!li 176 STjig-CXOSSED. you are quite able to think you wcuiri M„ i. your imagination utterly fails'is in i spowe^ rja,!;: 'utiiinrpoTtra^ r ^- '^.tt""^' -"^ ^ ■-punctiouHir^; ornate" IT^Z'T r^Ll^;:u:rr;o"u .r r "-"■ ize nf I'f ? r- . ^ Know, what can you teal- you, unless, God forbW vol ,ho .T'"^' '"" ""'^^ thing of the kind." ^ '''°"''' ^''P"*^-" some. i, 'jJ^^" ' "»'^' '^""w something of despair to portray of "anaVzt" it"T tel? '"' '""' '""^' ""^ ">« '-ulty realizatfon o^r an a tua eC "'' '"^' "'"" ^ ''^^^ estly, now. do you re ,STf"uII ^ "?«""'=• "°"- of one or of the other ?" ^'gn'^cance either ;; In their entirety, no," she confessed, l-an you imagine them ? " ;;in a way I can, but it is vague." ihen you have the solution of your problem " 'I do not fully agree with vr,„ " i, P ".T""' is as far =. J J' -ef^e witn you, she rep ed, " that IS, as lar as despair IS concerni.H t„ i.- ^;;b\7XV"""------^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Despair is different." are they not ? " ^ '^^^'^ y^"'* Progress, rZ^f,' ^ ^^^'^^^ y°" are right." Tell me why." " I am too happy, too far r^m — A c , . - . ■^^'- iioja tneif reach." STAH-CHOSSED. '77 "That's ft exactly." ;; Then I shall never finish that play." r-r "ig d cry oi rapture at the slahf tu had just set in a ball nf i.o i • , ^ * ^^^ sun of mUen gold." Its ^d^ rw r:re!p,:''r ; '""' "'' and overhead the cloui we opa'^f^.tT'' '" P"P)=' -. the %h.;te7i:d Z:Tz^t ^r a misty haze thin anrJ f. ^ snade. Then water upward; :n;^rl';,Xrl""' '™T "" fading thefr resplendent color! „ teHhaT °"'!; paler and paler, dying away at last Z^ ^at waxed ^ky a vast expanse of !ea-gree„ llhtL '"^ '"" hanging like a silver drop frZ'.-ZK '"'"^ ''^'' cent moon slowly cUmbiL u J """' ^1'' " "«- unfolded its somb e mantl th 'T?'"" '^'^"'•6''* and the day with a ge„t"e sirt fd, ''?°"l '"P"'"' night and slumbered 'he e Then' ' H ""^ """ "' did Eric arouse him Jlf ? ,4 t'"'".'^"^ "°t "nti! then, u^e at his sit fZh 'dTht rd'^ttt" :"'" ''^- which were entwined the L„ •>[ .""''" '°''"^ leghorn hat. "^ ""''" "''''°'' of the f /- house \^oinc, ne said. you will take cold rising and leading her towards the 12 STAH-C/iOSSED. "A moment longer! " she pleaded, holding back and glancing down the road. " I thought I heard the sound of a buggy. Let us go to the gate and look, he must come soon." Eric demurred, but finally humored the whim, and followmg her down the path, lingered fully a half hour longer by her side. They did not talk much, both bemg under the spell of the night ; but they watched the fantastic shadows reflected by the trees; the trem- bling beams of moonlight dancing upon the waves and the myriads of stars that had gathered in the broad expanse above. " Did you not hear something ? " she inquired, after a long pause. "No," he answered, and there was deep compassion in his voice, " I heard nothing." She made no reply, but slipping her hand through his arm, leaned lightly against him. He knew just what prompted the action, and he was glad that she could find some comfort in having him near. Looking down into her face etherealized by the moonlight, he felt perhaps for the first time the won- drous power of its beauty, but he only said : " Let us go in." "A little longer!" she pleaded tremulously, and somehow he could not withstand her appeal. So an- other half hour went by and no voice broke the solemn stillness, save the voice of her heart sending forth a mute appeal to the darkness. For Tom did not come. STA/i-C/iOSSED. '79 CHAPTER XV. DIPLOMACY. • closeted with his mother to;!, f '^" ^^'^^ was subject under discuss on [otak^^^^"'^^^^^^ ^'" ^^e of time. ''" ^° ^^^^ any note of the flight For Mrs. Winthrop, contrarv . u entirely at her mercy leaWn'v "^ ""' " P"' Wm justification. Judg/; w "fs?Z h" ""^'= ^"^"^ «' >n«ead of profiting by the T^° f""^"' '^^"' "hen, gained, .he simplyVw her fh™ '^' "'"'^'' ^l"^ h^d her hand „p„„ hir.hou,det.tl:::d:" -"' '^^-'-^ ^^ •fWy poor, poor boy ! " ' "Don't, Mother " Ji« antipathy to pity / "? df;'"'''' *'•"■ » -"an's usual /onlywi,h I hadkno'^^haur'^.r^^y^P^hy. tended to me, thougf, fo? " " 7°"'" have been ex- hav, been guilty of ^1,,.^ "' ''""' ' should not k«t offer a confidence "41^^"- ^ '' ■•^' ' "" ju^ified in doubting, And mn T^"^ ^' P^'^ectly by her unwonted t.fndemel h ''* ""'' encouraged she confident!,, .J. . ™.^''' ">* "Pened his he=«l. everything, fr«,;;td This": J:;!? '"' ^'^'^ 1 1 1 80 STAR-CROSSED. Very attentively Mrs. Winthrop listened to the story of that ideal love ; of those sweet, stolen meet- ings ; of that Bower of Bliss, with its clump of haw- thorn just coming into bloom, its garden crowded with larkspur and roses; its reef of rocks overlooking the lake where at eventide the dusky glimmering stars were reflected in weird and mystic proportion ; of the fair young creature who presided there: her rare pale beauty, and blush-rose lips ;* her deep violet eyes, the depths of which it was impossible to sound, so ever varying their expression ; her voice, so low and sweet, that stirred the blood with its penetration. Her* in- nocence of life and its responsibilities — of the world and its attractions — of men, society — all, pertaining to the practical or commonplace. And, lastly, of the inexpressible, the overpowering love with which she had inspired him. The love that was stronger than self; that overstepped obstacles; cried down conven- tionalities; scattered to the winds conscientious scruples, and laid claim to every thing, even — "Honor!" It was Mrs. Winthrop who finished the recital. Tom shuddered involuntarily as the word fell from her lips with cold precision ; never perhaps fully com- prehending all it involved until that moment. What profound contempt he felt for himself, lor the weak- ness which could only result in bringing sorrow to one or the other of the women, to whom by the sacred ties of love and duty he was bound. "Tom," inquired Mrs. Winthrop, "do you think you could be happy with a wife wlio demanded a sacrilice like this on vour nart ? " * J. " She docs not demand it," he replied, rousing him- STAR-CKOSSED. i8i self— "as yet she has not the shghtest suspicion that I owe any obligation to— another," " And when she has ? " "It will break her heart, poor girl ! " J' Not quite, I hope," and Mrs. Winthrop smiled- hearts do not break. That is a mistaken idea en' tirely. "You do not know her," he maintained; "you can- not possibly conceive the peculiar sensitiveness of her impressionable nature. She is an extremist in every sense of the word." " That is in her favor," mused Mrs. Winthrop. " Do you not think it your duty to acquaint her with the true state of affairs ? " she asked. "I cannot "-brokenly-" I have tried over and over again to do so." " Why ? " "Because I could not answer for the consequences which might prove fatal to us both." ' " You mean that she would renounce you ? " "Perhaps," gloomily. " Will you let me advise you in the matter, my son ? ' ' " Are you in earnest ? " he inquired turning quickly round and taking her hand. " Do you mean it ?^' " Yes, I am in earnest, and I mean all I say " she replied. "You heap coals of fire on my head," he said fer- vently. " I deserve reproof from you, not generosity, Mother." ' : "Say no more, but listen. I have a proposition to make— one that you can consider at your leisure in case you are not prepared to decide upon it now." l83 , i I STAR-C/iOSSED. " A proposition, what is it ? " "I want you to accompany me abroad for six months, during which time you must agree to hold no communication whatsoever with this lady. If, at the expiration of that term, you find your feelings have in nowise undergone a change, that you are still of the same mind as you are now, why then " "Well, then?" " Then we will consider what can be done to effect your happiness." "And Beatrice," eagerly. " I will answer for her." The Priestess of the Delphian Oracle was not more obscure and equivocal than Mrs. Winthrop on this occasion; nor the crowds of pilgrims flocking to its holy shrine more credulous than the young man who, upon the conclusion of her last sentence, exclaimed : ' " Do you mean that you would consent to my union with Generva ? that you would promise— " "Nay,you must not exact a promise of me, yet " was the Machiavelian reply, "at least," noting his di's- appomtment, " until I become acquainted and— " "If that be all," he interrupted, " I have no fear. To know her is to love her ! " '' Then you will go ? " suppressing her eagerness. I will, upon the conditions you mention, although I do not see how I shall reconcile her to such a pro- longed separation." " It is really very serious," thought Mrs. Winthrop; but aloud she observed, " Explanations will come later on, and are secondary considerations, I assure you!" " I hope they may prove so." "And they will, believe me," rising with an air of STAX-C/iOSSED. '83 " Then we understand each ofh»r 5 •• searchingly. aeacnother? regarding him ■'Better than ever before!" he declared. .•nvari:bi;: re™?:?. "'^'' 7, ''^-- Crcu^stances an apparLtL«t^ghf"?mL ;■■'"' °' ''' ^"^ until the expiration of fh!' .• ,f "''" '^''« ""at change in yZrcTjLl^ '. f°''"^- y"" ">'><= "o " Wh T I '^""""c' toward Beatrice." thatT-" "°" "°'"'' ""^ ■"= ■«" her to believe her in preciselv the co ^ ^ ^° °" treating been yolrulV.'^A fri:nd"'r;"no7h-''" '■^'^'°'°^' lowering her voice som wht-!?. i^: ''"f I" = °'" that you will observe the strirf^J t' '"P"' subject, however hnX ;*"; '""^''" ^''^"ce upon this however' ' '' ^^^""-""t without misgiving, yo:ng%^:rrtoi;;"^o:: ? "'"^" ''°- --"-^-^ «>■= "Yes, I am willing." ■' And to Beatrice particularly " "?hfn"" P^^fr'-ly." opening the door. :rhen we w,ll go down," she said taking his arm .r Ssr '"" --- ^ -re- oTar/;: 184 STARCROSSED. I < 1 i "I did have an engagement," acknowledged Tom to thmk of keeping it. I will go with you if you like but don't press me to stay, Mother " ' .i,^T^^i"'^'°P '^''"'^^^ ^^"^ "P-^" this point and then led the way to where ere assembled Dorothy Agnes and Beatrice; the two former .f whom took possesion of him, and beset him with question^ ' Girls girls!" he exclaimed, after shaking hanu w.th his betrothed, "one at a time, if you plLse i can't answer you both. I leave it to Beatrice'' Not very well," she decided. "But are you going, Tom?" importuned Agnes. You can sr,/ y . or no, I suppose ? " " Going wh,':'^ !• " "^^''°'* .. ^" I^orothy; "to Europe?" E^ope! echoed Tom. " Oh, that's it, is it ? " « w 1"'. '^P^'*'^ ^Srnes, impatiently. We wish It very much, Tom," murmured Dorothy. You do ? How much ? " "i^omy. into^r '^'" ' ''" ''^'" '"^ '^^ ^^'PP^^ ^-^ l^^nd "Well, then, I am," he admitted placing an arm around each of them. "So rejoice'" raZ^usfy^"^"^-'' ^^^^^^^^^ ^^-' bugging him herSc'' '^°"^r/i?^'^^ ^°'°'^y' ^"^ something in her face prompted him to stoop and kiss it. Bee, ain't you glad?" And Agnes ran over and gave her an embrace. "Very!" "It will be perfect now." H^nr.-t,^ \\.^... .x.. Mam^aand Beatrice and To.:t"h;;i a^gei; t^gelheT:" SrA/i.C/lOi,.,BD. x8s " I nc riected to mention that Beatrice is to -irrnm Pany us," explained Mrs Winthrnn ?/ Tom whr. u./ . Winthrop, so/to vwe to lorn who )ad grown pale . d who looker' Question mgly from one to the other. " It c.n . ^^"°"- sible difference to you." "° P^'^' "It makes every difference to me," he ,c..rned in the same tone "Had i known of \t I should nev" ha.e con.m.tted m;self. As it is, I do not consWer that I am n the least oblitrateH f« i, consider Mrs. Winthrop set her teeth and breathed hard >„H Tom relapsed into a moody and stubborn stnce At that juncture, and scarcely before the word!" I W.1I no go," escaped Mm, two arm, stole sof«v round h.s neck a ,d a fl,.hed iittle cheek touch:d Ws^n tearTu vo?T:':,3.:: 'tdT^' "r-" ""'^P"'" « if you don't.- ' " ' "'"" ' set my new leg, eh!!rT7r' • *'"'' ""■'■-■'' "P '"'■' «'«P in an arm cha r, had been passed over unnoticed. At the souTd o the pleading, quivering accents Tom started and without a moment's hesitation clasped tl IMetuow m his arms, and said: "I never bLt 1, i .^ At Im«i " u , ^^" Break my word, lad At least- Here somehow his faithlessness to ■feets' sister came into his mind and he did not finish the sentence, but he was glad that he could make aTeffort to atone, for the child was failing of laTe and voyage and the treatment of all t^eli stt Pans (in whose abihty he had unlimited confidence^ must undoubtedly benefit, perhaps oerm^,""!!, "^ prove „.sieeble condition. So Yeets won'ihedav and Beatrice at that moment loved his shrunken limbs :m % ^ ^%!^ ^J^.7^ .0^, ^'^ V r K w,^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I ■^|2j8 |2.5 Hi lit u 110 11:25 i 1.4 i 2.2 2.0 1.6 // ^ >. .»* ^ e'<^^.^. 72 ^>. riiuiUgiapillC _,Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 ^ iV <^ [V ^ ^\'^\ > A ,. and misshapen dwarfish body For H •. ^ neglect of her; despite th. , ''''?"« Tom's she knew were not w^lfj ?"""/ '^''ich in her heart ness and indifferenc" she ,o ^ u '°" ' ""P"' '°W- swerved in her resoTut'io^l be' ''•"" '""' ""<' ""r " You will go Tom ?° ''"''""^g his wife. 'owed himinto hehTlland r'tl^'r"""'^' "><= '<"- ;; ves." he repiird':''"/:^;;:^'"^ -" '""' '"' -* Mievrmamm: ht pln^f, Tt""' abruptness-" I from Eric more than ^XV tfse "" '° """"= ">« hopI^"r::ir;XTe; tT 'o "» '"-• ^ inconstant ? " P'"cli,ng her cheek ; " you are not " I am not-— but he " ;; Don't doubt him. Dorothy." of ^'iTi:z::r r ^-^ *? -^ ---age, ~ that have reaXd^e^natXri^^ "^^^^" '-^^Se^;t^-^^----au.he. ;; I don't/' she affirmed, "but-" Vou will have to make .> . guess," he put in. ^ runaway match, I " \^°"^f "^t ^'ke to do that." Until all else failed, eh ? " " sh?wt,d fo^^; rr -^-r "-' f-s^ve it , .. sent to it, don't yfuThink?""" "'" ^"^ *'»"'' ""• ' Yes," dubiously. " Well, ^ou must be patient H*. ?^ sured of that." *"*"ent. He loves you, be as- " Vou really think so ? " e Tom's »er heart »te cold- »d never she fol- he rack. ess—" I ate me that, I ire not STAH-CROSSED. 187 rriage, ertain ghed. tch, I it!" con- ! as< " I am sure of it ! " n.fK^r^'' ^'""' "~^"'' ^°'°*^y ^^^^ ^'s hand a sym- pathetic squeeze. ^ Words fail to express Eric's indignant astonishment when Tom told him of all that passed in the shorT in terval which elapsed since they parted. It 5id no" ^ke the astute young fellow very long to discove Mrs. Wmthrop's motive in wringing from her son tY; "r maf '^ r; V ^"^"^^"^ ^^^ — tt ocean What puzzled him most was the apoarent simplicity of the victim. Still, when he cameTo Te fleet upon It, he decided that it was perhaps scarcelv fair of him to blame Tom. "A man'is no' 1 kely to suspect his mother of other than honest intentions^ I- argued, "though there is no earthly real why a man's friend should blind himself to the truth, or lo'lk the aflfair other than squarely in the fgce " This Eric did. The result was conclusive but per- ?V nJhfon /r"' ^'"^ '^ ^"^'"^^ ^^-^^ -'th Mr . sh pronosed Tv"''"' °' ''^ '^"P^^^^^ -P-^t-n She proposed This was an unlooked-for issue. Who would have deemed it possible that he could find h^m! self in accordance with her? But he was. His firTt sensations when Tom brought him the news were those of bitter anger : these subsided, however, for cool reflect t.on, which, while it did not serve to change his belief was certainly instrumental in presenting mo ehan one side of the question for his consideratfon. He haS always been doubtful of the durable nature of Tom's affections (respecting the fair sex), and it was harl m keeping with good sense to blame his moth. offerinpr the v^r^r k Much as he regretted it on T for them. principle, he was forced »-T ._4| i88 STA/l-CROSSED. to the conclusion that for once in 1,is life he sided with her even to the extent of commending her plaiT of havmg Beatrice of the party; for in this lady Eric on^v «w another obstacle for Tom to overcome and ot which perhaps better than any other, would serve to try his powers of resistance. There was but \Z serious drawback to the whole proceed^' thit Je ?or of CO, ' T'** ■■""'" " '"""'^ '■'O'k when told tw fair to keep her in ignorance any longer. when T """ "T* ^''"" "y *"<■>" •'"'"ed Tom that BeJ""' '""""^ '■' °™'' "'««' I been awar" to fiti r "" '° ^°- ■T'"' f»" «"« be sufficient to fill Generva's mind with doubts, and who can tv what the result will be?" "no can say ;;She must know it, though," persisted Eric, his hanl""" '"' ""•' "^'"' ^°« "•'-<' h« face •- "I wouldn't take it to heart, old fellow," symoa th zed Eric. " It's a good thing for both of you You will have time to think, and she-" °'^°''- ^"^ "To forget." ." 1°", "' """'' """" ■*«''>' *o do that." 'Me?" astonished. "Youl" "Why?" PoleVtol' ''T' ""'"' '■' ■" "'" '""'' '' better dis. wrth 111 I,?!! """V-n^"- '""'Wng them more lightly n^ t htllrwoTnt.^"-""^ '° ■"-'"^ =" '-«'- thiltoTer'-ruLT.tA^"^^''-' ''■""^ '° '■-'' STA/i-CROSSED. 189 " Give Time time, and he might." " I can never find the courage to tell her all you say —never! " aid Torn arose from his chair. " Then I must find it for you," replied Eric becom- ing grave, " but it goes terribly against me. I am blunt and outspoken, and may wound her unthinkingly by my brusqueness. But I'll do my best for all that, and tell her, if you say so." Tom made no immediate reply. He took several turns round the room with his hands clasped behind him, then he came back to where Eric sat and said : "Yes, it will have to be you." Nothing further passed between them upon the sub- ject of the tour, except scraps of the interview with Dorothy, which Tom repeated, somewhat incoherently it must be confessed. Enc smiled when he touched upon the rumors which had filled her heart with doubt. •' I will fix all that," he promised, and he did ; for, before going to bed he wrote the following note : My dear, dear Girl,— Tom has told me of your fears. Banish them now and forever ; and whatever comes, remember, that I am always Your loyal, Eric. CHAPTER XVI. THE BEGINNING OF THE END. It was not without misgiving that Eric sought Generva for the purpose of breaking the news of her lover's deoartiirp- Tr» cr»*»oL- f^nAlAU, u: j-^ -^- i„ 15^,^,,,^ vrtiiuiUij-, 1113 aii-"iiciy was such as to fill him with the most gloomy forebodings. 190 STAg-CXOSSED. He found himself beset with rfn„Kf. flicting, and involved in a o°„^*' .'"^"^ '""i "■>• regarding not only the manner i„1v'"A 'P""'='"°"' approach her. but'^as to hoTa^d bv k"? """ ""' could ever summon suflicienT cour»»^ . """"^ ^' « all. " He must ^Z)T ^ '° Vproach her himself, and be careful „„t T""' * "'«'''" '" ">" yet withal must mpt Tw^ ?""' °' *■"' ">". ^nd P-ed it. a m^uMeastrXr oTt; '^"."- In plain terms, he was trvlnt , 'a '"f<>™ation. without hurting the v^,,^ Vt° ' " ' ^*"d-'hrust he finally gave it uo "^1' • "'' "° ^"'^ '*»''• ^nd his sole abfttor w'^lhTo ^1 '"r V'"^' '° '"»« - done, he found himself Hn °' '"'"' '« '"^^ '» be which led to her hTuse fi™,"^ '"'t'"'^ "'""^ ">- ^^d here a word concern n^EriXu" *° ''° "• And of place, seeing that hf fiJl!"" ""^^ "°' ^ <"" lale. and has never been'^r '?"^P'™''"^ly i" this reader. "" properly presented to the Perhaps Mrs. Winthrop's greatest nhi. .■ for her daughter was the facT th»?^^ "°" '° '"■"' obscure family F,fh-./ j ^' ^^ "">e of an had been simple Ws'b .^r"'"'"^^ "^'"^ "im right, thrifty men al f ' ""^ ""« honest, up. were none'^hTr; " e ' ~ ^"h' ""' 'T ''""''• country schoolmistress TuIL ' T"*" ''^^ » woman, and so ambitTou, L ^ "'^' * """S'"' -^'ever been induced to aTheio fir h Z'"'" "■=" =>>' ^^d "•orose. taciturn, but mllZ f "" '™" •"" ^'°'^"' a responded to the cal """""'"''y f ""essful man. who youth. It wa to hll P '""' """ ^°y '■" •"■» early tion. and th" ^e i Tefe"i:r '" ""'^^'^ ^''"" he now stood atfhe heT H \ "'^"'^P^P" "f which fte.d. His humble origin brqught STAHCHOSSED. ,p, no blush to his face, which Mrs. Winthrop declared ::: lttt''' °^ '°^ ^opei^siy^hutb ;i was To be low-born was deplorable, but to elorv in .t indicated nothing less than moral depravity^ ^ So ,t came to pass he was in her bad books and pr^nf h^mTrr 1 ''• ^^' '" '^^ ^nowledg^ did' Z\ prevent him from laymg away a tidy sum of monev some day i„ tht near future with Dorothy. He was qmte as great a believer in time as Mrs WinthZ he self_,t was strange that they should both agree so well upon some points! "'" agree so •But to return. It was late in the afternoon and ra.n,n, steadily A dark and threatening ^p,"' sombrely overhead, the waters of the lake fretted tically round the nsmg billows, throwing out flakes of spray, or dashing with a low murmurous moan agamst the shore. Swaying trees bent in the Bust and swept their dripping branches on the ground the density m the atmosphere, unbroken save for a flock of sea-gulls spotting the dark horieon. It was a de pressmg day, but it was the day Eric LaZ, a nothing short of a shower of J^^k^t^Z^ kept h,m at home. He believed in getting diLree able dut.es over with alacrity, claiming fha evert moment's delay was apt to give rise tn rL i J^ As fa, ,. .1, . * ^ '° complications. As far as the unpromising state of the weather was concerned he rather commended the good taste of The elements in providing such fitting acfompanmenst both his humor and hi« m.ce.v^ ^ * ^° He did not eve., compk of the mud which was ::.:* 19a STAR-CROSSED, almost up to the hubs of his bugev or finH fJ,« 1 . objection to th. „i„, which ^^ix^ Ltt ':;:;. If it had been any one but Generva who was to be iTnet tUh "• '■^"°f "''''■•"'y "-= «"-''' mLln ^ ^^ "''" °' <^''y "''"'<^'' so retarded and «rmkttd h^^^r ^ •"" """""'^ circumstance'he S of th r ' '° ''.''' " ^^-^e-^ P'^'-'-'o in each ,^Jm !• ?°"'"S'"s straggling bushes of lilac and clemahs; its sweet-scented woodbine droooW amentably and the passion-flower that climb7 hf te brthT I"'"; '"'^"'"^ '" *^ »'"<•, and cast ng ■ts bnght red petals upon the water-beate , ground Even the cottage presented a dismal aspect, ^th "ts bnght colored awnings drawn up, its doors made fa t a stwvTv oM-'k?™"^'' ' '"^'^''y closed w,;::; absor^i^^lol"'" ^'"^^""^ '="""^-"' '"« ="'- ;"tr tr^ '--'- '"« "-■ - --2 Mildred dropped a gridiron when she saw him so utterly he took her unawares. But she soon r«ov4ed herself and proceeded to help him off with hirrubber coat and boots. This done .h- 1-^ •>,- ■ - - ■ 11^ j^„ tHc \sd.y up-stairs STA/{-CA'OSSED upon r bt:T:r LTorrc:/;,e?"M tea Lml K T' ■'" "'="'«' her, taking a cup o :f;:^ntXaroMt';;f.rcir> what to do with it if h^ ho^ T r ^°"^^" t know aeU^e.„u„;a::L^:;:tee^:r^^^^^^^^^^ matai;^:':"tr """"'^ "">'=• -" P-sed some n,a^ ,t myself, and it's good ; taste ft, and see " ' "I thought you would like it," triumohantlv «,n^ you ought to if for nothing .1.. lu.. " Ph*""^' »"<• it was. I don't mind-coXs^ng^rthrrdld""""' ceed in getting it to come to a j^l^tiaf I Lt r^" 194 STAKCHOSSED. m ,t would-nor Mildred either, for that matter. finallvT IT." "P '"""P^'--; but it thickened fina ly hough I shouldn't have blamed myself in the lea, ,f ,t had all to have been thrown away." Whom would you have blamed— Mildred ? " No, the cook-book." herT„''n '°°^-^°°''': "T'"eto 'mile, and encourage safe "would f.^T ^'''"'*'- " ^"■"'y' *"» "' '«"' sale would not that have been unfair?" Li,,!l°l" f'". decidedly, "and I'll prove it to you. hZt^u r ^'" """"' "y °""g" ""er came wol h ' r '""■ ="' ' *''°'"<'"'« 'hink that would have made any difference. Should you?" Uf course not." n;"~~'^"^f ^ P^^^ '° ^' *° "^^^e it peel off in four pieces-.' Now I'll acknowledge that's where I Z '' Wen ? .^'''"^""-'"y P^^^ wouldn't peel." ^ consltfn'l'i^ffi"-'^*' '^'V" ^ P^^^^^'-^'ng pan, adding a consistent sufficiency of water.' Now, did you ever hear anything more absurd than that? 'Consistent suffiaenc,!' will you kindly inform me what that " I don't know," he admitted. ho'ur^-'' M^"' l°.rT^'- '^"^ ■">" 'hem for two hours. Mme boiled five and were not done then •■An!:?terT °" * "°'-''°'"' '^ " '■="'-"" "After ? Oh well, after that I managed, with the exception of getting the proper thicknesl, which that m-sleadrng and exasperating book said shonM t ^b-uj the .ame a. some kind of jelly (I forget wha'tPburi STA/t-C/iOSSED. »95 know I nevfer heard of it before U^h r T gusted." ^ff"' ^ was dis "You may well have been." ''And that isn't all." " What ! more marmalade ? " •'No, I burnt my finger-look at it " ^^ She stretched out her hand, on which was a white T k . . ="*/'"&. t,ome, if you have finicK«^ I have something to tell you " hnished dress. ..ieved at t^J^C.^ Z^":^ r.ot"''" b": I want you to hear m*. tu^^ u ■ \ ' °^^ When I have^'nTsLtl ;: nt^Ld".' '"*"""""'"■ questions you wish to put to me ^Wil vf'"'" '"^ this ? " "'" y"" ^eree to "I will agree to anything. Go on ! " =.„H r- T^'' *"' ""■°^*' '°' his voice was huskv which hung between the windows, bian- "dI remember how particular Tom and I wire io kll 12 from bemg seen while you were ill." h/fn^tr- '^ -e^in-g wi?: thX;1nSr ^= "' ^'-"'^ "^ M H 19^ UTAH-CItOSSED. ^^ ' We had a motive in that," he went on steadily, ' which owing to your critical condition we dared not reveal. You are better now, however, and cir. cumstances have arisen that necessitate an explana- tion which Tom has requested me to make." Tom ? " the rose at her throat fluttered a little, but he did not perceive it. for he was looking fixedly at the pathetic beauty of the picture on the wall. And then, m a few hard, d^y sentences, and with scarcely a pause between, he told her all. Of Tom's position in society, of his worldly mother's machinations, of the manner in which he had been cajoled into an engage- ment with a lady for whom he entertained only an esteemed friendship, of Mrs. Winthrop's discovery and what it led to, and finally Tom's struggle and ultimate decision. Afterwards he touched upon his own views concerning the prospective separation, and having no more to say stopped abruptly and let his glance fall from the face of the picture to the face of the girl sitting almost directly ii^ its ..hadow. As he did so a smothered exclamation escaped him. It might have been the yellow lamp-light, it might have been a trick of fancy, or of the imagination, or of vision, but it was none the less realistic. The face of '* Beatrice " and the face of Generva had become identical. There was the same girlish countenance, the same subdued expres- sion involving an unfathomable depth of woe, the same eyes, large, dark, lustreless, looking mournfully, hope- lessly, pityingly from beneath their sweeping lashes There was the same bronze-colored hair falling loosely about, the same delicate pallor, the same full exquis- itely shaped mouth, the same haunted, agonized, tear- less exnrPSK*'^r ^hq*- '«>f>«^'>') <- << »» . . _ . ... -^ . _3_-_i. ..sdv oi_ejiivu tw aay, iviy doom IS hxed !" ~--""/ "Generva! Generva! don't look like that," he ■mplored. •■ Don', make me more despicable i^ my own esfmat.on than I am now. I know I was cruT SeIiT;r"'!"'""i°' '«'y"""g. except- my selfish YoTcannofu " """'"' '"''' 'P^^''^ P"f°™ed. You cannot blame me more than I blame myself. But hsten, I have told you the worst, and with my cus- tomary bluntness at that. Another would have chosen some tender method. Any one could have done 't on T"t" "/'■ Winthrop or Bee, or-oh! if I had r would" f ' " ^""-Dorothy. How different It would have sounded coming from her lips; you would have been comforted, reconciled, instead of- vou rtli \ , "°'.''*^' *""•' y"" "">« had I laid you dead at my feet." Completely overcome with remorse and self-con-' damnation he broke off his incoherent speech, and buned h,s face in his hands, and Generva stfll motion- ItrCr felt!^ "''"' '° ^'^" ''^^ ^'^ '^^^^' °^ -^- "I have told you the worst." he went on when he had gamed sufficient control to pursue the subject. You must bear in mind that it will only be for six months After that-he will return." cheerfully, "and an will be merry as a marriage bell." Still no reply, no relax of the set features. But he was determined to persevere, so he drew up a chair and asked : ^ Don't I eenerallv k#>pn miri>r/>^^ a \r^.. i. , , well. I am gomg to make you a promise to-night. Do 198 STAJI-CSOSSED. you want to hear what it is ? " brushing her cheeic with a rosdeaf which had fallen into her lap. " wt7l^„ you do or not you shall, for I promise this day sfx months, which will be January ,st, ,8_, to Uugh heartily w,th you over your fears. And I'll expla!" you until Tom comes back. When he does, and I have dehvered you safely to him, why of course I shall send erfn tn "'^ ■""""" "' resignations in gen- thWT 7 !!;' '"'° ""^ '°™" "'"""■•'ty. Another hang Tom told me to be sure and mention, and which I forgo , ,s that he will consent to your occupying yourself just as you like best during his absence. '^Yo^ town He will make every provision for you that ctr '""anT '"^^"t '"' '"^'^ "°"""S undone that -can m any way add to your comfort or happiness awf^'r'd'h"/"""' p"""^' ''"^ -» p- ~ ary w,ll be here Now, is not that a bright prospect ? I askyouplamly.and you will answer mef will you (per ei" „:' ^",17 «"^''™ "'^ "•""ghtlessn^s-ah r (perceivmg a little Hutter of the flower at her throat cruell" f^'^' ™P"ceptible quiver of her lips) "how cruelly I have wounded you." "To the-death!" she gasped scarcely moving a muscle of her rigid face. ^ ; Tom ought to have told you himself," said Eric miserably; ''I knew I would be unequal to it." fnM 1,. .rP^'^'^'^''^^^"^^' "he ought to have told rne \\\mi!<^\( r\\. Jf u . . ° «iavc ..le n!...,^„. ^h, if he only had!" she reolied brokenly ; " if he only had ! " ^ »®«ES2a^aj&aaaa STAR-CROSSED. 199 'He loved you so well, Generva; he had not the strength, and I offered to do it for him. Forgive me ! " " You have done your duty," she said in a low measured voice. " Good-night ! " " You want to be alone ? " rising and regarding her with compassionate tenderness ; " you wish me to leave you ? " She made no answer, but inclined her head a little and not even glancing in his direction rose and walked slowly over to the table that stood . ectly under the pamting to which she bore siuch a striking likeness Seatmg herself, she took up a pen and, seemingly oblivious of his presence, began to write. For full ten minutes he watched her slender white hand glide rapidly over the paper. He noted the superb poise of her head, the graceful folds of her dress falling about her. His eyes took in every curve of her classic pro- file, lighted by the gleam of the shaded lamp. He even noted in a semi-unconscious manner the details of her surroundings. The soft Turkish rugs that covered the floor, the rich dark curtains that graced the low windows, the gilded-papered ceiling and walls the willow chairs tufted with plush, the bookcase with a bust of Niobe looking down from its shelf, the mar- ble mantel loaded with bronze— all of which not only arrested his attention but imprinted themselves in- delibly upon his memory. He knew perfectly that he should never forget that small octagonal-shaped room, nor the silent figure sitting under the picture that seemed to have cast its fatal spell upon her. There's nnl-liJnrr fr>r •*!<» tr- J- " !-- - 'J - ?« ««u I ^ me to uu. He said mentally, but leave her, and that I am very loath to do." Which was quite true. It might have been fear ;it 300 STAJl-CXOSSED. that held him ; or the fascination of the weirH n,„c,: c.sm which seemed to have become a parto he7but' thirirf";;'^ '"" "-"^ "y- powerful 1™ iixrd\rTH:';teta^.ttrh-^-"^ .ion; for implied b.som^e uTacrun'taUl'^'^rh"- bai tr^ %r h"dr ''^ ^i^flihfhe^:: of "Her dS." "' '"^'•" '" *"'^ '^ '"' "t CHAPTER XVII. THE DREAM DISPELLED. fe.ion,bu^inasmuch as heha'd ltCl2t:Z ':rz:zizv: ret;: 'rr '^-°- points in Erics account that Lred him a tole'fr ■"Stance, the m inner in which the news^ad hi!: ce.ved; but he soon convinced himserthat it wasTo" AfteTSffi stlLrr" '"' ■■' ''-'x-for^re ■f^ti-cr me nrst shock was over— whv th^n ^t she would become accustomed to U ' "°'"''- It was quite clear he judged h^r f, . . based upon his own Hght-hlarted ' tem^era^eTfrd STAJt-CROSSED. 201 it. Without do bt't; '"""""' °' comprehending herein perhapsvlt.X r'f°°' ^'' "' exercised over his life Th? '''^™ ^^'^^ ^^e in his nature TroubL "^"t """^ "° "elancholy vein natural coLr^e o^tentTf didT f '"'" ^^ '" '''^ lingered, dearlv Z I ' *"" *''°"'''e "-arely in his mouth for fronT"' v'" '"'"'' " S'"''^" ''P""" upon paths o7,lowe^°V;:'r' f '"'^ "^ "="■ '™d everything he to^ch d p^ T p:! '''"'" '"""^ Without an;xrhLXrrp:« a^o^t-t^-t years' experieLl Lrtf '° l""'" '' ^ '-'"'^ tice was large ;,h,'^;°"' '^' "'^ "'^Sinning his prac- position he hffd Ineratn f"" "' ">" ^'S^ ^"^ial months' absence onV Lr 1 "°" " """""" <" ^''^ pa«icu,ar,y wtnt^e cts,^ ^^f "[r-?™"--- •n travel and amusement " """ '" "^ P*'*^'' The oftener he permitted his mind to recur to the H^ ■fill,: ,f:. mmmmimi. 303 STAR-CROSSED. prospective trip, the more favorably it impressed him, and he finally found himself looking forward to it with pleasant anticipations. He would not have cared to acknowledge it very likely, but there were times when the two weeks that must intervene before the day set for departure, lagged unmer.iully. And yet, there was much to be done. But notwithstanding this the hours hung heavily upon his hands. He was as much in love as ever, but things had changed. There was no longer reason for conceal- ment. He could come and go unquestioned, and stay if he wished, which it happened was not the case, for there was something about Generva which oppressed him indescribably. He thought, after his first visit made close upon Eric's disclosure, that she would brighten up and be herself again ; but in this he was doomed to disappointment, for she did not brighten up and was never quite the same even to him. It might have been the change in her, or the lack of the zest that secrecy invariably lends to passion, but It certainly transpired that he visited the Bower of Bliss less frequently than was his wont. Curiously enough he took to spending considerable of his leisure at Mrs. Winthrop's house, where continual meetings with Miss Bell occurred, and while he did not regard her with any warmer sentiments than heretofore, he wouldn't have denied that she diverted him. She was chatty, she was gay; moreover she was clever— and Tom liked clever women, when they possessed the faculty of being entertaining as well. There are ipen who require obstacles to keep their ,.,.n^ cLiivv., aiiu uLiicrs again wno despair at the approach of a diflSculty. Tom was of the first class, i I STAH-atOSSED. ,o, for the apparent hopelessness of his love had been a constant impetus to it. The secrecy, the risk the .ntr,gue were all instrumental in affording a k en ex a « rhis rath T?T^^' "'^'"^ '° co^Ln acuon his rather sluggish emotions. There had been something indescribably sweet to h,m m those stealthy meetings amid the flo Jerlcented gardens and cool shadows of the Bower of Blfes o b:tTv' oX: i'"" r ^"' '" *"= contempS of beauty, offset by such poetic surroundings, and a dehc ous consciousness in the thought that s^ much oveliness was hfa by right of each heart-throb beTung m a«ord with his own, each responsive sigh or teaf Heretofore there had been an impassable gulf be tweenthem, and he was forced to content himsel wM, crying out from the opposite shore. But now a kind y chance (alas, was it so ?) had come unexpectedly to the rescue, and raised here and there a stepping-stone upon which unsteady flags he leaped with aH a lover's ag.l. y, until his goal was in sight-nay, firmly c^ed ■n his eager, outstretched arms. Nor did his hold htfnd The "= "t ^^^"■"'' "'^' '■* -' ^««'- y sidid " "*'"" °' "*"' ""'^ "^"^ '"b. The Bower of Bliss was not as attractive as it had heretofore been. It was still green and fra^ran st it a cool and dewy retreat robed in summer glory „ aU respects It was as it had been, sav. that it Z Z T t ^"""' ""= *P'""'*= <'' '--y "ow and havefunkt . •."'r'"'°"'"S'y '^' '""-^d to r^Z ^ ^"''"'"'"^"'y-*" ""'^ fi"ed Tom with ttae TenTt'^ was profoundly contrite ; but as the time went by and his efforts to assuage her erief proved unavailing, he grew restless and anxious a" d tookjo absenting himself upon the most trivialprov It would seem that she had never really liked the precanous and bohemian life of her professional al creTureT'o^'h"*" ''" ''■''' °-. P^Ied ti; tht creatures of her imagmation. In this Arcadia f,r from he haunts of mortals, she had passed a staofe "ComeTt'T"' ""'" '°™ aPP-ed, yfng hfdT^' Z 1"°"' ^°" ^"'''" '"y" Trus fully she had taken the hand he offered, and left her land of happy dreams to follow him. Alas, she did not know An abod?' 1 '""''^ """'^ *° "'"''='' he lured hen An abode perhaps more real than the aerial one o her fancy but as evanescent as the fragrance of its soul-breathing flowers. How could she tell that one day the din and strife of the world would drown the voices of the win«d ZThJ: "rl""-""" ''"^" '■" thi. seTuf d th! r \4 7 u""" '■" '"''"■"^' *•>= t™th and fidelity of the God at whose shrine she worshipped so faithfX ? Howcould she realize, as the echo of the distant"!?., roar leu upon her ears, ringing in them like afuneral STA/i-CROSSED. ao5 knell, that they proclaimed a rude awakening; woeful tidings of separation ; another woman's pain and grief ? How could she tell that these horrors would force an entrance to her charmed abode ? She could not know these things, nor contend with them when they came • so an utter helplessness fell upon her, benumbing her sensibilities, clouding her thoughts, dwarfing her power of reason, of expression, of comprehension, turning her into some cold, senseless being, deprived of every capability save that of suffering. She tried repeatedly to realize the position in which she was placed with regard to her duty both to him, his mother, and the world ; she tried to discover wherein her own culpa- bi ity lay. But so many possibilities presented them- selves, that her perceptions grew dim, and she could only weep in the despair of her regretable failure. Eric watched these developments with calm placidity He made no comments, offered no suggestions. What- ever his impressions he kept them to himself. " Have you decided to remain here ? " he asked her m the course of a conversation that they had together. " I will do as you advise," she replied, " but I should rather live almost anywhere else." '' Why?" he inquired, not a little taken aback. " Because," and there was a deep mournfulness in her voice, " of the memories t^at are here." "I understand," he intt.posed; "but have you dis- cussed the subject with Tom ? " * No," trembling a little as she had a habit of doing whenever his name was mentioned. ■ " I will tell him for you," patting her hand, and ask- mg at the same time how the obstinate last act was eoming on. ' t> I 4 306 STAH-C/iOSSED. "It is finished," she said. ' Entirely ? " "Irrevocably!" ' The expression of her fare u,ho« ,. word, produced a powerful .ff. ""''""^ ^^' but not more so tharthe „-, "^^^ ^^^ ^"^'*°r, from her h-ps: "^""^ '""*^"" which fell andt^'JcT*;^;"^''"^ ^° -uch now as to play it," -I5^:::r:;;thea^^^ surroundings; actors of worth a.rf "PPropriate audicnc. vast, brilliant, appTedat've 'IP"'^""": »" there will be brave Russian I!m ^^^^ " ^'''ere helmets of glittering st el T' 'f?'/'"" "'"^"^ -"^ elegant and^as.efu1 costt^:"': U r"'-""''^' '" priests, the rabble all th^f r? J J ' ^P'^^' """s, intensify the glorf^uscLL""!'" '^"^^°P' «--^t my triumph." ^''' ^^'^ '" *^^* ^ ^hall achieve She had risen like one insoired w 'ng eyes were upturned her f.^ ^^. ^""^^^ '^^'"c^- heroic purpose ' ^^" '^^'^"* ^'^^ ^ofty and myself most recommend."^ "'" ^°"-'' '« ^^at I "Yes, it is to be the th^t,. » i. laboring under the influence of?' • """' °"' '"" theatre, a fitting begin^L t ""'T^'ement. " The her strength gave wfy a"!/; "^ ' *"'"e end." Here a chair and wept. ^' °' ' '"''''^" '"e sank into She had scarcely composed herself before T i Will STAR-CROSSED. aoj joined them, and Eric, thinking the time opportune, began to discuss the plan of producing the pfay. But what sense is there in it?" demanded Tom with evident irritation. "I will be back by the tim^ you can make such arrangements. You don't suppose for a moment I will permit her to follow her profes- sion after we are married, do you." "Certainly not," replied Eric. ;' Well, be good enough to inform me what is to be gained by this ? " "She wishes it, for one thing," replied Eric, "and I advise it for another." " I suppose you have good reasons ? " " Excellent ones." " What are they, pray ? " " Excuse me, Tom, but I don't choose to say." With this he walked to one of the low French windows and ooked out. While he was moodily contemplating the landscape, the two at the other end of the room con- versed earnestly together. Every now and then a word or so reached him, and he knew that they were still upon the same theme. Presently Tom came over and laying a hand on his shoulder said : "I give in, old fellow, on one condition; you must take a few months leave of absence." " What are you driving at ? " "At you— dotard." "Me?" " Yes, you ! " " What have I to do with it ? " " Everything. You must accompany her. I will only leave her in vour care," "But—" 1,'h ., 30d ^T'A/i.C/lOSSED. "I admit of no buts Vnn Ko l a vacation for two yeirs to ml. '^"^^"'PJating now." -^ ". '° "^y knowledge. Take it " But, Tom— " "'won't listen to any but<5 T f.ii n^ysterious reason or ofher h^ r Z^"' ^°' ^°'"- understand, you want her fn . °" ' P'""^^"^ to absence in the theatre For ''''"' '^' ^''"^ °^ ^V '■n it whatever; on tie con. ""^ P'"*' ^ ^^^ "° ^^n^e prodigious piece of foil ^l''^' '' ^^^^^^ ^^ -e a ^•t> why, of course, I ^i, on th?"'''.''.^"" ^°^^ "^'^^ mentioned. I w 11 Tn •? I condition that I have -te to your cred C "'^^^^^^ ^""^« are requ' the trust?" • ^'" >'°" °' w"I you not accept don't believe you wHl rl^re" it^" '" ^^"^ P^^^' -^ ' Thus it was decided. .-L-'ii^irrrai t-r.:-^ ^-<^'- He pleasure and pain Unn,!. ».!''"«« °' ""'ng'ed but a pang of th^ keenet""^ ^^ ^^' ^l^ t° go, shot throu^gh h m wh n h s ™Tn°d" ''^ "^^ ^^ ''-wn' In order to be able to ,pe„d """""^ *° ^'^>"^^■ with her, he hurried thrShrr, '"''"■'''' '"°'"«"t at an early hour was ^ her s de sr"""'""' '""' the httle parlor when he arrived J^' "•'' '"""^ '" picture of Beatrice which Z^/f^^ '"'^""'y at a tX'-^^"~"-^^ 4>f-eaThrairt^------^^^^^ JMo, I am not," She replied " bu/fh • pnea, but there is something STAA'-CHOSSED. in her face that repels, while it attracts m. i "^ refrain from looking at it I h,7 ' '^»""°' I shall see her, but not ,L T " P'''«""n>ent that "It is the mos l.kl"t ^^ T^'"'™"'^'^""'" ^i" meet by and bv "in, ^^ '" ""= """'^^ ">at you very .el, ho^w it^'co^a rr^d •"•"" ^ " ' '""■^ ^ 'es, rejoined Generva ",.,^ i. n no doubt of that and T cT'n '^^" "'^^*' there is ''^^LcelLr,^.---"--^^^^ her'of'';or affect:'^ "■"" '°'^"'" ^ '»' ™<>bi„, "And Z"o:t:i:!'''T" "«'-'<' Tom. " Ye., T c . ^°'"^ '° "^arry her ? " end," ?; adXd^ ""Zt'rmT ""!^ " '"^ '" "« now. So don't let us talk of" L^r'"^ '° '"'"^ ^er selves. Do you know I L, "' 'P'^*'^ »' o"- bye ? " -^ ^"""^ ' *"«« come to bid you good. knol:-'""'"' """'''' "'^'''"g h" breath a little, "I "^^/Z^Tl^^r^ "'"' '" "- - SO. and how^:^; sttr^*" "" "''' "'^' "e might not sec ••And love me, and be true to me." "N^u^t?wa;\rhf:r- "-you doubt it." " 1 love you"nd wm ul '"'" '^^ " "> "^ke sure " brokenly, Cd -^aTL H "V° ^°"'" ^"^ ""ispered in his arms-.-]f y^^^^ ^7 '' '^ """ =""' "^'^ "" ■lie; surely, surely, die." "" '""^ '° ""= ' ^b"" A deep unbroken silence fell K.. ,^ 'ence tell between them after ■' ( M a TO STJR-CROSSED. th«f. T^ey could not speak, they could only cling to each other in mute embrace. All nad been said that was to say. All done that was to do. There wan nothing left them now but to tear themselves apart, and each set forth upon the road which destiny had mapped out for them. But it was very hard, harder apparently for him than her— or so it seemed, for she grew singularly calm at the last. Too calm, he could not refrain from thinking, as he kissed her white cheek and whiter hands, and tore himself away. "She is colder than I thought," he mused as he drove rapidly towards town ; and he was right, for even then she lay senseless across the threshold of the door. " I daresay they will be married abroad," surmised Mrs. Loftus to her friend Mrs. Vanderpool, referring to Beatrice and Tom. " So Mrs. Winthrop told me," replied Mrs. Vander- pool—" and oh, by the way, Mrs. Loftus, I really think you must be mistaken about her hair. It doesn't in the least impress me as being bleached." " I r:ay be wrong, of course," rejoined Mrs. Loftus, " and 1 daresay you know best. You certainly have >etter eyesight." "And about her husband's death, dear Mrs. Loftvi *, it is positively asserted, and upon good reliable authority, that he died of a fever." ' Indeed ! you astonish me. But I'm glad to know it. One : res to be doubtful of one's friends." "Yes, mv s't vejf; both in fault about the passe- menterie cr* 1%, virip." "No?" it," SrAR.C/iOSSED. ail "Truly, yes!" " How so ? " "I have just received a fashion plate from Paris and oci me pattern. It zvas stylish " tha ,t was mere rumor about Tom and the actretr a'li?;;:";.' "-"' '- "■ - '- - "^ - --ra; "So I have heard," returned Mrs Loftus ".n^ i, and Miss Bell are to be married. Dea^ dear what home isn7> ? "^ o°" ' P"''P°"^ '^ ""t" 'hey get home ,sn t ,t ? Here the friends shook hands and parted, each wondering whether fh. «fK "^"°^,' ^"^ would not, receive wedding cards *""' °' CHAPTER XVIII. SILAS TO THE FRONT. Generva-s flight fell like a thunder J,olt on the ageTel "oTed' ^^^^^f^- "^ -nager and min! «Tu .1 . expression, Gave up the pho«!f " There's law in the land," shrieked Mrs. Slick ; " thatk God, there's law in the land i " it.'Teror?:H IntXfAi!? ^- '' ^"-^'^ " ">'"<> to use "Me ?" throwing up her hands In surprise. s;'f<'£ FT !. lUi aia STAH-CROSSED. "Yes you! You knocked the life out of her, for all you know. . ' "I had a right to correct my own child, a perfect nght! and the law'll give her back to mi se'e if it "I told you to let the law alone," yelled Silas. " She's past eighteen, and you have no more control over her panvT^r T.T °^^"y °"^ ^l^-'n the com- pany. Besides, she asn't your child, and you know it." I.hJ"' « 'f";^ '^'"^'" ^^'"^^ ^^^ inconsolable loved hef?'' " ' """' '"' ^"' '°^"^ -^^^ ^- -^ "Well, sentiment don't go down with lawyers, nor tTrouTh ' '° ?°P ^°"' '"^"'^'"^- ^ *°^^ y°" ^he'd slip satTsfifd.""' ^^'''' '"^ '^''' ^°"' ^'- ^ ^°P^ y°"'re c^nli^l!^^^'? '?'' ^°" '"PP°'' '^"'^ S°"^ ? " »"q"ired Mrs. Shck^applymg a powder-rag to her bleared visage. ^^ How m the devil should I know ! " " Can't we go on without her ? " "No we can't; and if you weren't a fool you wouldn t ask such an idiotic question. Might as well zZuX:.:;t ""'^"^ ^" ^"^^"^'"^^ ^^-^^^^ " What are we to do, then ? " meekly ,** Starve !" with thrilling emphasis. "Oh, Si! you can't mean it." "Can't I ? " grimly. " Well I do. all the same." With this consoling remark he threw open the door to confront on the threshold a lean, lank, cadaverous individual, whose small, blonde face and drab-colored hair were almost entirely concealed by a shabby black STAR-CROSSED larger than his diminutive head Hi. f.n key.°""'' ''"'' ' " "^"^ «-g- =P0ke in a high, shrill "No, I didn't. Come in!" taif/^he^SiirusSfn It^"^ ^ ^-' <" »«- on shuffling the cards h„'",, "" ''""^'■- She went a "Hello!%;„n"dt;- and T'-mT^^'""''"^^^ h"e?" which remark provoked n^re", '1 ^"'J «^' suppressed sniff "^^^'^^ ""•" ">an a Mr. Saunders sighed and thrust hie v. a '" — capacity oi advance agent for the n.c7fi"' "'"''" was quite likely. ^® P^^^ ^^e years % 214 STAR-CJfOSSED. "Silas," he said in his piping, jerky voice, " I ain't ftad my percentage since we started " 1 am t had anythmg but guff." "My contract," continued Mr. Saunders, drawing from some hidden pouch a greasy-looking document! particularly specifies that nightly statements are to be telegraphed me after each performance. Silas tnose statements never came." ' " Didn't they ? " cynically. " Well, if you must know, it was because I hadn't the money to send them. Now kick, why don't you, like the rest of the demned beg- gars have been doing." ^ "What's the use of wastih' so much time in words ? " cried Mrs. Slick, slamming her cards down upon the table, " why don't you do something? " "What's there to do?" asked Silas with his mouth lull of smoke. "Skip! " said Mrs. Slick between her teeth, seizing at the same time a box of make-up and jamming it helter-skelter into a trunk. Silas and his agent exchanged glances. "What do you say, Saun?" inquired the chief. " I'm with you, but — " " But what ? " " I've put up everything I got now except my trunk. Its been for five seasons on the road and wouldn't oring a V. "I'll work it somehow," mused Silas; then, to his ^ ; Here," drawing it out of her poclcet and handing ii to nim. ^ STAR-CROSSED. ^1$ '' Good gracious, Si ! must that go ? " ioir^^' '' """'*' ^"' ^""^ """^"'^ "''"^' '*'' "°t paid "Anything else ? " " Nothing of yours. But every single stitch of Generva's—trunks and all." Mr J Sliclf °'^'' ^^^''^'^ *^*"^ '^' ^'^' *^'"^'" ^^"^^^ked " So it is," agreed Silas. Mr'q1^!!l"°' \^ "ecessary to enter into the methods Mr. Shck employed for the purpose of raising sufficient funds o purchase tickets home. Suffice It to ay hat after many difficulties and considerable delay he a nyed with his mother and agent in New York. The we'leTtTo r f f' ""^"^ ^^^"^^'^ Combination were left to the tender mercies of an unpaid landlord How they succeeded in getting back to where they started from will ever remain a mystery. But that they did, ,s certain from the fact that several of thdr names were afterwards enrolled as members of another troupe, quite as likely to collapse as the one they had so recently quitted. It would seem that experience Tn" h .'.r" ''^^'"' ^^ J'"^^^ ^-- '^^ reckfess way m which these people conducted their affairs. " From the frjnng pan into the fire," was an every-day occu^ rence, but it made them not a whit less confident or a degree more practical. A flashily dressed, loud-talkine to'fXt".^"'''.''^'^ ^'^'^^ *^^' '"^^y --'ai I to fall into the net he spread to ensnare *h^r^ c:,__ Shat^^M' "IT"' " ',^ stepped'from the^'tVainT:; felt that at last he was clear of his difficulties. But •i ' m M 2l6 STAH-C/iOSSED. ^^ytz:tz7''V'': '"''""' '^'"■■='> -" yet ing "P of the se ' on oT° '"^'" T"'' '' ''^^ "« ''«='''- s p "I cne season of many of the travpl.n^ panies. Certainly, few if anv J.l ^'^"^T S ^°"^- starting out with Lent 'h c^ °^ *^'"'' '^^^^^^ of face. ""^ ^^"* ^"^ Spring staring them in the an apartment 11^:^^.^^,^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ t economy to eke ouf a r«;o^ ui . ^ ^ ^^ "^"^h and his mother As ttae wei't "T" '"' """«« stead of brtehteni„» ' ' °"' ""' P™spects in. until an S^Ts e^rp^ ^ ^aXr^T' every available article was p*v„ed o defrav thf h" '' expenses and at last even that source waTu off '' rett\dtore"art- :„^^ «-.pa«7;C!; ,, been tramping ^oZ'^^rZy^^^XZcuT^ dramatic gesture of r Jw ^ '' "'^*^^"' ^^'^^ a --ideaV-^:;r;sC-[^^ no'lucCdTck r^'" ^"^ '^■■<' ""'«"^' *■"« "■- s ''Z't";v wijrTiT '° ''"""r '^ ^''^'■' true." ' "^ """■''« have come to'hlTeTt'Ld'Z' • '\ '"'"^''' ^'^"'""e '"gically nothlL" :"\":°r'"!;°"='r''V''^ ""''- "There's ^^■iX-CXOSS£/>, in her small shrewd eyes—" r r,„ u "' some one in the house or " ,1 "^"^ * '°^' '">"> some one in the street"' W^'r"^' " ''^S " '«"> hand significantly anTaeparL" ""^ ^"^ ^'^'^^ "" all sides seemed to beset hta l,' '"''« ^^''^ ™ that a critical moment harcom^^Hr "I "'"""' empty and so was the larder h; ha^ h"" "' """ every person who could be inveSledtt "T"" ''°'" a loan. He owed all th, f 7^ '° '"*'""g him The coal was out. so waVtL ""'T'^ °" ""^ "'"'k. he possessed was nthTLu'"^' *"'' e^'ything " Tf . ^ pawnshop round th. /„ It s a pretty how d'ye do," he said ""«, . "*''• .my brain, my personality "ItWswfth *^'*"'«"of the cracked mirror opposite "1 m . ^'*"" '"«"' in a voice b-oken wr/h ?• '^" ^^avenvvard, and starve ! " " ""''^ ^™°''°" «aid : " Well, I w"ll Having determined upon it h. comfortable attitude andr-.^ r ^''"""^^ ^ "^ore did not come, though a thundl "' :^^'^' ^"* ^^^^h hall did. h; had re.o,r^^^^^^ graceful position in which he h A"'''''^ ^^°"^ ^^e find him unconscious but the f ^f "^°*^^^ ^°»^d whether she had noT're'tlt^ iri!!?"^'"^ ^<^ ^"o. yo eat was too much even Tor r'Hr"^^u''''"^^*''"fi^ iun^ped up hastil, and ru^hld^o^ thrdLr.^^ L^,! ■m 1(1, . (It. ■ '-' • ,'i 2l8 STAH-CHOSSED. faced, slipshod servant-girl, of about fourteen years of age, lay full length upon the floor grasping a letter and crying dismally. "What's the matter with you?" demanded Silas, giving her a poke with his boot. " Get up, and stop that noise." •'I felled up the stairs," wept the intruder, "and I ve broke something, I know I have; most likely me neck," with a fresh burst of noisy tears. "Will you shut up or not, you howling baggage; what do you want here, anyway ? " " I brung you a letter, but I've losed it." ^ "A letter?" Silas felt a thrill of hope. "Isn't that It you're holding, you ninny?" " Yes, sur, that's it." She thrust it into his hand and turned and limped away, and Silas with his eyes fixed upon the post-mark dashed excitedly back into the room "Generva!" he gasped, tearing off the envelope, and eagerly devourii-g the contents. "Generva, and, oh ye gods ! here's a draft. For how much— how—Great Cassar's ghost ! fifty dollars ! " It was some time before he could see to read the letter through, so completely had the money blinded him. When he came to the end he could contain him- self no longer. He flew round on one leg in search of his hat, and in a sort of delirious frenzy bounded down the stairs. At the first turn he ran into his mother, knocked her flat on her back and sent the two loaves of bread which she held in her hand, spin- ning over the banister. "I've heard from Generva f " 1ia cViri^Uo^ a : her to her feet and paying not the slightest heed to »»W,«((|jt^^^ STAH.CXOSSED. ^ writing, but which ^L^J"* t" ^^' "" °"ly finished Me!-wo„'t I show !L Tn ""' ''"'' "' '° ''° it- thing or two wo^hle ,'7 ^^Tl z^h.^rr ^ beggars, every one of them-^' a„H ..^ L '"'""^' thehand-.. subjects orj^scoTrtZtr..''"""''^' shewS;t'htrtt '^drr ^r-'^"^-^' '^•'- "and go dow^n I : the f „tt,l "d "T' '"r"' loaves of bread." ^ P"^'' "P "i"" * * * * met^'atCintuili^^ T'^^" « ^. -^ ^V the directionfcrt : ' ,^" the" .rrT' l'^"" " strolling up the path that led to G Srholne'"" P ' arrived ust as the sun was sinki^l fT ^- "^ cloud behind the long stretch „f in u.° ^" °"*" "' the dying day had 1i iTfharn, ":; hi^'V"""^."' he was tired d:r^ ?:',,'r '""^ ''"'' '-°'' »<< he was very curiouT * '"°'"'"'- ^""''. shlLtLetre'^^f^'." '^^r"-'^' "'wonder if wrong pew ? '• ' " "" '" ""^ "e"" '^'■"'■'='' hut the "Yes, Miss Romaine will see you" said M,u a •- answer to his inquiry, and A..J°X-' ^''"'^f '" ushered him into th^ ,>=,i — "..s &<.>.k a portiere she "we„,,.rs^?;^:xra:t™:i-roa 320 SrAR.C/iOSSED. cha,r and ook m he elegance of his surroundings; completely dazed! and, it isn't natural to me. either Now, what I want to know is how the deuce she man. aged so wel Of course, it's the doctor. I knew he was a swell the moment I set eyes on him. and I knew he was sweet on her, too. Can't fool me about such thmgs. I m too old a bird. Well, he's done it up brow,, anyhow Egad! the carpet alone must have cost L mmt and these pictures, and curtains, and bric-a-brac' Mother s eyes would water if she'd see 'em. 'Pears like she s a good while coming down : don't know as I care though; guess I've sat in worse chairs and worse looking places, but I never sat in any better and never will ; no such good lutk, dem it ' " At this point a light step sounded upon the stairs and in another moment Generva entered the apart- ment She was dressed in black relieved by a hand- somely embroidered crepe shawl of deep carmine, thrown carelessly over her shoulders and falling rich and dark among the folds of her skirt. She advanced slowly to meet her visitor, who had instinctively oisen and was regarding her in mute astonishment. off.. \^° ^''"u'^'' ^ " '^" '"'^ ^" ^^' ^°ft' J°^ voice, oflfermg him at the same time her hand in greeting. After which she motioned him to a seat and sat down some little distance from him. " You had a pleasant journey, I hope ? " she inquired courteously. m "«=u ;; Yes-s," he replied in a half dazed fashion. But you must be fatigued with the long walk from the station. I will get you something to drink." frJ^""^^'^ murmured Silas, looking after her re- treatinor fiornr'* "•'-' "•' — '-^ ■* j - -o "t,Lr^, «xx^ niica It nad passed out of sight. '^TA/l-C/iOSSED. 231 giving himself a sort of shake " T ,. . ^ . ._ known her," he declared "and T-n "^'^" ' ^^^" wouldn't ei her cIaVT\ ' " '^^'''■^"* "^^^her he did noffi u ? '^^ ' ^ queen-a princess-a-" he d,d not finish for she again stood before him ' iced'ct'er^ ^'" ^^^^^^'^ ^°"''' °^--"^ '^^^^ thirst' ^^^l^tf'f'T'^ '^ -'^^ evident ..V ^''f Ks. ah, It IS refreshing, very'" auir r '"T"t ""^'^"^^ »'' draft?" fhe next in comfortable chair ' '""'"^ '''^'' '^^"^ ■" ^^ "How much money?" " For what, the theatre ? " "For everything; the whole production " .ou.retT::^itr--£----^^^^^ mate it exactly." ' ' ''"°"' " '^ "" "«- "WellTshtuM"" '°'"' '''^'' ^^" ^°" "°"" " I h^w. f J "^''' """ "'" take it." remLed qu'ieti;. """"'"' ""' "^ f°«hcoming," she Silas sprung to his feet. "Vou do! well, without doubt you're th^ l.,oi,- . woman m AmenVa tr^ ^ ^ne luckiest ^"^^"ca. Here you are, with all the lucre 322 STAH-CHOSSED. gain. You ve fallen on your feet, you have Plush cha,rs, velvet rugs, lace curtains, 'trpestrrpic.ures bronzes m,rrors_dem it. Gen ! ain't it good enough f"; L" M. ? ^"^ '"'^ "' P""'"g "P and-" ^^ Mop ! she rose and confronted him I sent for you to make a business proposition which you are at liberty to accept or decline as you chose; and not for the purpose of asking your advke or laymg myself liable to your comment^he lightest' one of wh,ch is an insult. Bear in mind, tken, si from tJus t,me forth that you occupy the p'osition o any affa s'^Per™^ n "'"' 1° *""'^^' -"y P-fessional affairs Personally, you have nothing whatsoever to do with me. When I suggested sending for you knowing better than any one else your Ability, m"' Hazelton warned me of the likelihood of some such occurrence as has just taken place. I see now that 5 have made a mistake, but fortunately one that can yet be rectified." " , " I-I— I— beg your pardon," stammered Silas com- pie tely nonplussed. "It-it-will not happen aga^, I assure-Iprom.se you! Only let it pass now. You see I was quite da«d when I came in, and it was owing to that— that— I—" " Say no more," interrupted Generva pitying his :r r rCptast"""' '^' - '- ------ for'h:r%r;roctd.' '"'" ""'"^''^ -"<'-'. waited ^J'My play,;; she began, "is of course unfinished, xuai IS, It will require revision. I have an idea Mr. STAK-CJiOSSED. j, Carlysle would be the best person to do it. He has ^equently seen „e act and understands .y ^.^^ bettl^Jo'n^r"'" "^'"^ ^"=''' "'^''"■' I'""- --y better-don t know any as good, in fact ! All thieves every^one of them. How many acts have you go! ? " ' "Scenes?" ;;^"^;°e^fhact. There is no change." Good ! Now, the people, how many will it take ? " Fourteen altogether." " Principals ? " "Yes." "No." ••I^suppose it is arranged in the regular way?" vouS'/"r .7"'" '" ^°' *'"' °" *»">»". don't know." °'' "" ^""P" '"='" ""y »"<= ^'-. you rfiri"". '^''^' '"*' occurred," said Generva with d'gmty, "an arrangement such as you propose c^u d no be other than unpleasant for us both. Tbeg you will not refer to it again " ^ ^ cheap.'"' ''"''' "'°"^'''" ^' ''^^"^ ■• " e" h" »° d'-cedly please say no more "pon the subject. If you will comewth me I will show you to a room now I daresay you feel quite dustv and «,„ , nn/-.^ *U- -■>•.. " iJhe says vou rrav. h '" "''"'" '"'' ^"oject. ' expenditur"! would^.IL'^" "^'"1^*^°^ ^^out necessary. Am I right?' 226 STAH-CKOSSED. " Yes, you're right ; " replied Silas, struggling with a chicken wing. "You believe the amount you mentioned would cover it ? " " It ought to, and if I've anything to do with it, it will! I'm a careful man, Mr. Hazelton. I count the pennies." "So Miss Romaine says," turning to her— "you told me that, Generva, did you not ? " "Yes, Silas can come and go on less than any one I ever saw." Silas looked gratified, and, emboldened by her praise, took the obstinate bone in his hand and picked it. "You are not eating anything," remarked Eric to Generva. "Have a little of the fowl— it is very nice ? " " I don't care for it," she assured him ; but he gave her some notwithstanding, saying as he did so, "just to please me, my dear." "He's the man," decided Silas, "and it isn't the doctor at all. Well, the newspaper business must pay, that's all I've got to say about it. Egad, I've a notion to tackle it myself! " " Bring MisS Romaine some of the Madeira, Mil- dred," said Eric, "and perhaps Mr. Slick would take a glass, too." Silas acquiesced by a nod of the head, observing mentally, "You bet I will! When I'm at a picnic or a circus I take all that's going." " There will be considerable preliminary work neces- sary, will there not, Mr. Slick?" inquired Eric, when Mildred had poured out the wine. " You've StrurW thp rio-Kf no.M vxi CUV iic;au liicrc \ we can't be ready before January, now ; I found out STAJi-C/iOSSED. He we could o-et p . ^r promised Jho,/,^-t";\.^'"^ ' '^"- Un what terms ? " ' SO' a big rep^u'tttio":".^:: K: Mad' "t' "^'^ success." '^ ^^^^ Madison Square them!" '^ ^"'- The woods are full of ;But they will go out in the fall," ground. Why sTZZ overdone-run into the - theatre h^f^r "ng ' "w '"'''"'"°" '^^'^"' ^'""^d and whafs the res„!t?,h '•'■'' '°™ "^ *''^ """''^ «mes a week i.TlL that ^"^ ' '"""^"' ^''O" »'^ upshot of it is tLt , • "" ' '"PPOrt two. The attraction o a ba„k T ™ """^ ^°' '° ^ave a bt have had a wolanliS'-'" ^'^f ■''■ W'»'. '' I'd -ade an everlastingtrt!:: ^0°^" "''• ''" ''^- How ab„„t New York proper?" ".ere.'rsSf^S, ™"^'' ^"^^^= -. "But we have tnT fr ^^ '"' >'^" ^^e-" do we not?'' °°^ ^""^ hypercritical audiences, That's a Doniila- « .. , , , back in his chair ;n"dwo^n7'' T^^'^^ ^"^^' J^^"'"? to find room for ttTest^^^^^^^^^^ oessert that was being served, \l 32S STAIi-CR0SSE3. " but it's a natural one. The truth is," and here he winked knowingly, " New Yorkers are the easiest gulled people on earth. Just let two or three good news- papers come out and say that Generva Romaine, or Generva anybody else, is a great woman, and New York will say so too. It's the press that does the work; get it on our side and we're all right." " How can that be done ? " asked Eric paring a peach. Silas winked again and looked very mysterious. " I suppose you have some friends there ? " "Very few." " No matter, I can manage it, under the circum- stances," this with another deeply expressive look. When dinner was over the two gentlemen repaired to the parlor, where they remained closeted until a late hour. Generva sought her own apartments and was seen no more that night. When Silas had retired, after seeing Eric drive off in the direction of town, he was more dazed, as he himself expressed it, than ever. " It's worse than a Chinese puzzle," he said utterly mystified : " he don't act like a man in love ; and if he doesn't love her, why what the deuce is he ? I have it ! " kicking off a boot. "It's the doctor, and he's given her the slip. But who's putting up if that's the case, and what interest has this editor in jewing me down to a $75.00 a week contract. Me ! " with an air of injury. "Anyhow, that's better than nothing— yes, a blamed sight, if I could only ring mother in ; bui I can't, they're both dead set against it. It would be perfect, though, if I could — perfect! Weil, I ain't going to give up yet. No, sir! there's two things I'm going to do if they're S7A/{.CJiOSSED. in the old lady if I "a" " ^' ^^ '""^"^ '° ""g .\ CHAPTER XIX. IN THE GREAT CITY. Metropolis. After thl^ . T^'"^ "''"'^'^^ »' the squibs in the sev*»ral r«« 4. • "^ '"serting newspaper by spicy i„ter4«ctrhrtr '"'r- '■"""'''' into the bank accounr^' ^ '"^''^ ^" '"™ad rousing nnt»^lZjtl\ZTT^^ '=««"™ ■" It will not be nece'sar^ o '"^ T'"^ ««nt. account of the manner in^i,-.,.'' '"'° * '•*'«''«<' fore a New Y:rraud" "ce ^^t' '"'^. ^'''""S''' "- of doing this is toT r?V • " '"""'^' "-ay particulars a subilt l" "'""'' ^■"^ '" "any Some da m thelate fanTiT'""' """"^"' *'»g«e ing. others™tht''Jr„^:^^4°„\%7fj';- '°^ ^" "V" an uptown theatre !. ti,.r . ., "'^ opinion that town There' are th„!. t ' l^)"'' '^'"' °"= down, and billing t rVrg^deg eVatd^l" """'^^^•'■"■"^ fepel the idea of windowfdvertlelen?"? •''^?'" "''° in no wavcan fh« « "^ «*avertisement, claiming that the medir^oVthe'pre's "° "^""''"'^<' "^'"'o-gh centr;i,:",7;,;;jT„H """!"• "■°'" the fact that it was of the mai: s whi h af.:' T"'. ^T'^' ^'''^-Se , wnicn after all undoubtedly form the i> I' 230 Star-crossed. principal paying element of amusement seekers. It also possessed an enormous stage, good scenery splendid mechanical contrivances, and a well-known and universally popular manager. His first move (and It must be admitted a most judicious one) was to introduce the genial Mr. R to the debutante by means of a quiet little supper at her hotel. The result of this proved beneficial in many respects, for R became not only interested in her success, but conceived for her a personal regard, which deepened into a sincere friendship. Upon him, the same as upon all with whom she came in contact, she made, because of her grave, gentle manr^ers, modest reserve, and patient kindliness, a deep and lasting impression. Carlysle, that most brilliant and withal most unassum- irig of dramatists, in whose company she passed several hours of each day, was most enthusiastic in his praises of her talents and charms. Recognizing, as he never failed to do, good material, emanating from whatever source, he set to work upon her drama with a right good will and gave it the benefit of his best efforts A powerful play was the result, and as Generva bent eagerly over the manuscript, she could not suppress the exclamation: "Oh, I shall succeed !" Snugly housed in a comfortable family hotel, she found occupation for every hour of her time. In company with her modiste she designed and selected all the costumes to be worn; was a constant visitor to the studio of the scenic artist; took some lessons in voice culture, as well as in fencing and dancing, and attended all the theatres where first-class performances could be seen. She gave herself up wholly and cr- tirely to her work. To those who sought her"sodety STAK-CROSSED. she talked of nothine eKo «i. ,. '''' advising and assisting evensoar^.l^ "'''" ""'''' -. details were concerned Th ^ '"°'' ■"«»■■ object in life for her and ttl" "°" '""■^'' '''" ""^ fession; she talked ofltthn ,7%'"""= '" ^^' P™- It became a fixtd id L ixtS ° ,;'' "r™^" °' "■' ".omeafs idleness did she ltl.etl7or """ ' ■nginto the late hours of thelht A T '""'^- lurked beneath her vielrii„„ ^^V ^^' Purpose was trying to blot "uttte pfstTnd h^M ^"^"^'^ or she was bent upon fiTZ *"'^,''"''d up a future, present could be fendured ^r"'"' "^ "'■'^'' '"e visionary girl who wa"der;du„d "":."" '°"^" '"e the Bower of Bliss lost i„ .1 . "" '^" "•=« of become a resolute^Ll/rtrg'a^^t'r/- ^"'= '^' an energy that never abated !„^ '"'i'''^''^"'' «■'"> which grew firmer with each L. m* determination it be, and the idea finds fair ZT ."^ ''"''• '=<""•' she wished to greet her lovlr !>. " ''"'" "P""' that Did she thinkVo achL«amT''-^'°™"^'"""'P''? to flame him with adm r^fon ? H 'd' ^ "^ """^"^ the fear, that the long momhs of ^b^ " *" ""^ ■"'"" his ardor? Was it herdesire t„ h t-'"""''' '"" weighed down with glory courted ! , ™ """^ ^" after, occupying a oositi^n • I ^ emulated, sought high, that rve^^hfs moTer c"„'m '"'"""''' ^°''''^'> to take his wife? "ometh,' r"'^*" ''°°P^'' the hidden motr/es fhaTlurkfiThe T'" "" ""'«' and men, urged this til . ^^^'■" °' women almost siperSuralsS nrhTeni'"' "" "'"• ^ and ever-increasing zeal tot; i:"!'"^ eyer-renewed way for her to resize the most'TrKr"" T'"^ ""* wH.ch She ever indulged. rigrhaTbtrt,;: I III (|ii fi , i; tii 232 STAH-CHOSSED. destiny which shaped her end; the bounty of Provi- dence pitying her lot, or the fate which more or less governs our lives, but something, felt perhaps rather than known or understood, swayed her with an irre- sistible blinding force, from the beginning to the end. The importance Silas gained by his new accession to fortune almost passes credibility. Managers who had never taken the slightest notice of him before now lifted their hats as he passed; and second rate actors in search of engagements congregated about him 1^ huf' Jr''^"^''" '^" ^^""'•^' ^^^^'^y drinking in his lightest words and quoting t,hem afterwards as oracles It must indeed have gratified his vanity-of which he possessed not a llttle-to think that he was the cynosure of all eyes as he promenaded down Fourteenth Street, in the neighborhood of Broadway conscious of being well attired, and not a bad-lookine young man by any means. Pardonable pride swelled his manly bosom to have Mr. Jessop and Mr. Drake the civil dramatic agents, run after him for the pur-' pose of securing the distinguished privilege of engae- mg his company. To hav^ printing-house representa- tives and lithographers watch their chance to snatch a half-dozen words with him as he passed by on his way to the "Brunswick," where he dined, and where the bowing attendants infected with a similar homage, by reason of the pad of complimentary tickets which he displayed between the courses, rushed to secure the honor of serving his meal. Here as elsewhere favors were heaped upon him \^hether it was into one of the dramatic newspa^; offices, agent bureaus, photograoh ^aller.V« or fi!l„.- lobbies, that he chanced to find himself, the cordiality STAR-CROSSED 233 was universal. Itwac"ur^ii • ,, f^m the ^^mnltlZ'.^ -"d have a drink," would sit for his oicfuTl u^^"' '■^"'"«' «>« he all the seats he w'ln eTfr'ZI ''^'"S'^P'"^ -'-'^ tatives; a presemof a hi f do ^ '^'"""^'^ ^^P^"^"' the tobacconist, wL de ired m " "^ ''■^'''' ''°"' portrait for a ciWettet^f ^ anr'"^'r '^^' he could use in months from nT :[ ^ perfumes the signature of hi llusZ ! "^^'''' ^^° *'»*»d celebrities already ^uh';:?'"''"^^" "-^ ''^t °f -ap. Countless'^andTneX-tib. ''""' """'' »' heaped upon this Th^c,!" J^^ ''^ "'"' 'he favors effect eithVfoI aire Teh '^^''' """ ""' ^-'hout he told his mother,Trs:>rt"o7.r; °''''''"'- "'' ^ walked slower than ZJl" ^'^^"'^- "e now nity; added severa" xZvlTt' '"" "'"• ""'- <«g- had been redeemed wUhtX) Z^^'^''" ^^'''' fingers, and a whole cluster of hIT ""«' '° ""'^ neck-scarf of brilliant crmson He T'^ '° "'^ "^■' pression of pressing has fa sort „r t T "" '='- overworked business air eien,",!. r''^''' '"""=''- many as four district m.!*^ 5 ^^ ^"'^'•"S <>« as each in a different d"r''"^'^-''°^^ '" "' ""^ and to a note-boSUrht:"; Z^f"' "^ ""^ oranda as— written some such mem- Patent leather pumps to be done at four Laundry from Chinaman's. "" "' ^°"^V Call at Sarony's for photographs Meet Bertha nftl^./^.„--.%r''^; , Try Daisy Co-rnPlasr^^'^'^""^ P-- Get tailor to take note for last account. :m lilHlli ^•54 STAR-CROSSED. Bottle of Blondine for mother's hair. Tickets for Bijou to-morrow. Box Jane's Liver Pills. Call on Louise, etc., etc., etc. Bobbing in and out Si various playhouses he never failed to find occasion to remark how confoundedly overworked he was, winding up wiih a rhapsodical eulogy upon the transcendent genius of his star, who was going to cause a revolution in the history of dramatic art. About the first of DecemSer and close upon Eric's arrival (Generva had declared that he should not neglect his business on her account, and would not hear of his com'ing until it was absolutely necessary), the engaging of the supporting company began. ' " I hope we shall be able to secure good performers," said Eric anxiously. He was of opinion that Silas delayed too long in making his selections. "We will. I promise you," replied the ex-manager of the Acme Dramatic Combination, " only give me breathing time. Why, my dear fellow," patroniz- ingly, " I can get you more actors than you know what to do with. I've only got to go round to Jessop's and pick them up." "Is this the best way?" inquired Eric, referring to the agency. _ " W-e-l-l," drawling the word out, " I don't know as it IS the best way. but," twiriing his mustache and talking to himself in the looking-glass opposite, "it's a good way— keeps up square with those fellows, you see." "And their charges. Mr. Slick ? I beg you will take that into consideration." STAR-CHOSSED. 235 Charges ! " whirling round on his heel ; " we've nothing to do with the charges. Come off the actors my boy, don't you know ? If they want engagements' why. dem it! they've got to pay for them ^JeTsop s' going to send me down a lady for leading business this mormng: she ought to be here now," pulling out his watch. " I'll just wait about five m/nuL Z^^ and If she don't show up," snapping his fingers, "why" her bread's dough, that's all I've got to say about h/' This conversation took place one day about eleven, A.M. m the private reception room of R 's theatre H-ric, on his way down-town to a newspaper office where he had an appointment, merely glanced into the house as he passed, and finding Silas about to settle himself in an arm-chair with a novel, seized upon the occasion to express his views as above. Having done so he took up his hat and coat, and thrusting several letters which the treasurer handed through fhe box- o-fice window as he passed, in his pocket, was about stepping into the street. Just then a stylish coup^ stopped in front of the entrance, from which emerged a magnificently dressed lady, who accosted him wkh: Will you be so kind as to inform me where I can find Mr^ Slick ? " offering him at the same time a c d upon which was written : JESSOP & Co., Dramatic Agents. tC^^'^^'f is inside," returned Eric, pointing out the wav ctnA rri,,:^^ i i_ , .. . .\ & "■ _-. —' 5x-"ii «cr uacktne card, lifting his hat at the same time, which courtesy she acknowledged Hi m^\ 236 STAR-CROSSED. by a low bow as she swept past him and disappeared in the hallway. " This must stop here," he muttered, " and I'll stay and see that it's done. I am not going to throw money away in paying the salary that young person will require. I don't indulge in coupds and footmen myself. With which reflection he went into the box-office and took a chair to await the termination of the Interview When half an hour later he caught sight of a bonnet he hastened out, just in time to meet Silas as he re- turned from escorting the actress to her carriage. " Thought you'd gone down-town ? '* observeu this gentleman buttoning up his. coat. '' No; I waited to have a talk with you. Is that the lady from Jessop's ? " "That's the one—stunner! ain't she ? " " Of course you made no engagement with her ? " " Of course I did ; why not ? " "Because you must understand that there is a limit to everything, even a bank account, and while I want first-class artists to compose Miss Romaine's company I don't require first-class equipages. It is out of the question for us even to entertain the idea of meetine with such a lady's demands." "You're all wrong," exclaimed Silas; "way ofI»— way off! I made a splendid contract with her— got her cheaper than I expected even. She dresses her own part, too, and di esses it well, I can tell you! " " What did you agree to pay her ? " " Fifty dollars a week." " No more ? " "Notapennv!" STAA'-CHOSSED. «37 " Why the costumes alone will—" .ffl'-^''"'V^" '?°*^^'' ^^°"' ^^^ costumes, that's her my alt"' '"' "°" '°''^^ ^'°"^ ^^^ -^-X- that's "Wei!" observed Eric, "I don't pretend to know anythmg about this business, but I do know that X dollars a week won't dress the play and keep up the TpTef lal's-''^^^^^^^ '^ -' ''^^ ^ ~ -^th _' That's where you're off again," interrupted Silas. The show busmess is all show, and hasn't the slightes kTow^'she'ir ^'T"^"^- ^'^' ^°""^ ~ ^-" known . she 11 pull money into the house, and it's money were after! People who see her .urn-out dash up here two or three times a day, will think we pay her five t.mes as much as we do, and that speaks we for us and our substantiability. I tell you, if the pubhc don't see you and hear of you, and h^ve reason to think of you, the public forget all about you ! That's a well-known fact and you've got to admit it. Now I want a company that people are interested in and curious about. A company that makes a sensation in the street as well as in the theatre. I'd like a leading man who had fought three duels and ran away with as many different men's wives ! " "You do?" said Eric; "I'm glad to know it. Be- cause I won t have Miss Romaine brought in contact with any but gentlemen, and—" Silir^° says they're not gentlemen?" demanded 1' Why. } do ! most emphatically," replied Eric. Well. IT von Af\n'*- 1«,4. -^_ _1-.^ .. .. u T T'l" ' "" """" ' '''■' "'"^ '^ — tnreateningiy-^ 1 won t b? responsible for our success." ♦ m 'fH ajS STAA'-C/tOSSED. In that case I will cpmro fU who will " .n^ V '^*-' ^^^'■v'ces of some one and all selected by mV hSo„ <; r™ *"' °"' biggest oath when the^e was „„ k 'I '"""•'= •"' tH..ea„thrtii?orh';r42:r '"'° -- 1 he ladies and gentlemen who assemhl.^ ( .u first rehearsal of the " Prinr^.c ' assembled for the chosen by Generva for h T' ""^''^ ''''" ^^^ ^^^^ some of. the leadL . ^'^"'^' '""''^ "^^^^ "P of ou cne leadmg professionals of the dav tu formed a striking contrast to fhl Tc ^' ^^^^^ Dramatic Combination ho. h "^^^""^^ ^^"^^^ ing. They w^re ! n ^ '" appearance and bear- JnifesteT a gene iTJ er'T^^^^ ^"' ^^^^^^^^^' -<^ points which Mr c! ,v J '" "'"'"^'"^ ^°^" 'he evinced a careful and"^ ^^P^^tedly offered. They stage mana^mide^^a'su'S^^^^^ "'^" ^^' in demeanor towards the !far AH of "^V^^P^^^f"! gratifying to Eric. '^^'''^ ^^^ "^^'V Things, indeed, went astonfshinelv well ti, hearsa s soon began to run smootWy R . ""j himself as being content with everUt^ '?'''''^ one. The windn«,c u every thmg and every graphs, b, I boarratttfcti '° "''*" '"'^f"' ""■°- paper but what Uem 'd w.r.h:"''"^' '"^ "° "^'^^ The costumes a„dle„eTv nr„ T'"^ Production, surpassing even Gene "^ ^ * .^'•=^' '•"•?*'' could be desired eitherTn ,1 J"'*"™^' ^°"""S ments, costumes thlT/ ^ ^' "'"P="y. appoint- costumes, theatre or manager; with ,1! Eric STAJf-CHOSSED. •3f was satisfied. If he were apprehensive at all It was for Generva herself. He had ceased to be her confi. dante. She no longer spoke to him of the future which was in store for her, and the one who wandered in other lands: his name never fell from her lips no more than did the past, which it would seem, like a pleasant dream, was lost in the darkened shades of time. But it was such a short time to blot out such a niemory! Too short, in fact, and it could not be- so he said anxiously-for her strange silence upon all that pertained to the man she had so loved, her close application to tasks not at all to her tastes, and withal the gradual wane of physical strength, sustained solely by will-power, were matters of a serious nature to one who understood her so well. Hitherto she had leaned upon him, and found solace in his support; but now even as her weakness became n. re and more mani' fest, she gathered her remaining energies together and assumed a firm attitude in their midst, and stood for perhaps the first time in her life-alone! Thoroughly alarmed for her health, he took her sternly to task " I do not propose to stand by and permit you to kill yourself," he declared, " and that is what you seem to be bent up< n doing. I will write to Tom." It was the first time he had spoken the name for long weeks, and strangely enough, a pang shot through him at Its utterance; for since his departure, beyond a few hnes announcing his safe voyage, Tom had not made a sign. His agreement to hold no communi- cation with Generva did not include Eric, and the protracted silence could only portend some serious consequence. Hence, no sooner did he sneak th^ name than he was seized with a presentiment which ^40 STAH-CJ^OSSED. she said quietly; "heiske^^ ^T '" '"■" ^'X"" "'<■ thing arose in'^er throat ?„H^ " ^°"'- '"" "-»<'"■- t'on of the sentence '"'''""'"'' "'^ ~«>Ple- "He is, indeed," reforf^^ i? • "keeping it to the etter" v. "\ ^'"' ^ f™"-"; he knows, and you w« b! if ""^'" ^' "^"'^ '" "" "But I am not Ml* "he 1 1/°" "f """ '*^ 'his." eyes to keep back the tears '"' ''°'''"^ ''" ''^^T -7;irn!;dV'r.rbror ^T*^^--' vou ~ing Of which"y^u'rn:ra^;tr ; ?• '-' "- ™e b;^suThS^^:f ^•^P'fs <;: "you wrong further expla„a«I„. " '''^°"'' ""'^ ^^e offered „? "What could Tom mean?" continually asked, "byClvL ""'' ""^ ''"""■°" Eric sent to the London address Tw"''".'''"'"'' ""« '«'er that case Dorothy (who t.L^^:''^'"/ No, for in on account of her mothl. "' '"^^y^ ■' ''s true, tainly have apprLed Wm w[T'"°"^ """^ «- What could it me^?" ™^' *^ ">« reason? THE CHAPTER XX. MYSTERY SOLVED. the office of the hoM ZlV T^^ "P '""^ ^o^" bell-boy with whom TehadT"^ '^ '■"'"•" <" the Ha«,ton.s room, VlX t^^:^!^ '".^r. Star-crossed, 241 when he called upon her thar„fn ' P'"™" Hazelton's when he dmnn J "■""•""'e. nor to Mr. day; both pleaded r?;/j:!f,'"<'""'>g the same / gantly monoeramed .^/'"'""^ *"'' returned his ele. make matterf r,f ''"'"""^""^d Pasteboard. To tfme absemedtrmLveTf ""':.'• '"^^ '" '"= «"' to discern a saS ac ; JXe t ft""'- "■"""* d«ct, he again dashed round tn/i?- ''' ''""^^ "^o"" ing-places and was agai^relln h'"''"''""^' ''*""• 'oj the third time w^r r l^f^itr^he "^"°* above c ted. and s^nf !f . ' " the message for the repfy '^^ ™""^ *'"> «"=t qualm, " Mr. Hazelton will see von »,v '»^ whereupon Silas heaved fsfeh of T?"'^' ""* '"'''■ him to the elevator. ^ '^' ""'' '""owed wr":g°'' h?™„T;':''/;'°- ^ table busil, engaged "good'evening" toffe'ed rnd"""."" '° '"^ ^-"" Silas found a Lirl^d'i^'"?.'""'' Sit down!" ■ating upon thfmaX ct'gf whTh'L';'^" ^''""■ appear unconcerned "or! " '?""'' =">" tri-^d to Accounting for ,L I , * ""'"""' "'^ town ?" cha„..,„-;l?5 '"' ""^ transformation in this hiphv Prese"ntiv'7r T"""' "' ""'t •"=' "ails and wafted • Presently the figure at the table pushed awly the III 1 i . ,11 ! -ii Mil 242 STAR-CROSSED. papers with which it was littered, and resting his head upon his hand inquired : "You wished to see me^ Mr. Slick ? ' «T'^n'"??f°^^ "P ^"^'' P""'"& *»»« <=hair nearer. I called before to-day, but you were engaged, or so those fellows said." " I was engaged." "Oh then, it is all right! You see, I've been about somewhat since I saw you, amongst the newspapers; talked with most of the fellows, too, and drew 'em out." Yes," mdifferently. " Don't think we're as solid as we might be, or we can be, if we're a mind to give a thunderin' big supper at Delmonico's and oil'em c^own— see ? " " I am of the opinion that we have already spent a lot of money," replied Eric. " Still, if it be necessary, and if It would not cost too great an amount—" "Nothing worth mentioning," interrupted Silas. Assure you, on my honor, won't have covers laid for more than fifteen. You don't suppose I'm going to feed the town, do you ? Not much! I've made out a list here; you can glance over it at your leisure " handing it to him, "and let me know what you think I tell you it's the thing to do. I'll have it written up beforehand, and they can't be mean enough not to notice It afterwards. By that time we'll be ready to ring on the first act. You see, all these chaps I have chosen are well known and influential, and so far as I can learn well disposed towards each other. Now, once they see Gen, we've got 'em, particularly Carris- ford ; a pretty face fetches him every time ! Poet and all that, you know; devilish nice little fellow, too! " Then vou He^m the r>»-^'"=>r' — -' TIT.'-- -Tk , .. — 11. isjc piv,avni,c wi iviiss i^omaine STAR-CROSSED. 243 essential ?" inquired Eric. " Would fJi.fk • • keeping with propriety ? '• '^^* ^' ^"'^^ '" of propriety; you bet^yTur^I^LTs'"'"' ^'^ ^ '^'^ "Was Miss K the only lady present- ^h.f • was she there unattended by o'ne of^LoTn lex ^. '" . J^«{ admitted Silas, "she was chaperoned if that's what you mean ? " "*peroned, if "That's exactly what I do mean," returned ETric- " I guess ' ! "You ain't going to let a little thinir like th^t .» you, I hope ? I can get you all the stte'rs, an^m^^^^^^^^^^ and aunts you want inside of twenty-four hou^ W.' manufacture them in the profesh- '' "°"''' ^^ '' Manufacture sisters and mothers and-" you thi„k .„„,„„„, ./, ::.<:rHgi ;; p:*::!,'.; and the caoe ? ^TT • T'^' you-the sacrifice '• I hL V ?! M ° touching, ain't it ? " nature."" l'4^'''E"fic""td'f^f''? ?' """-' a Wholesale ^anlc^ir'e ontlLC"'"'''^ "''''' '" N J l'''Lf°"""°"«' .""ng in this biz, my bov. ev^rda;!"""' '° ""■ '" ' '"'°"- Why. it's done ''iiir Jh'r It','' a44 STAJt-CROSSED. J I won't agree to it, notwithstanding." "Let her go lone, then." " I can't do that, eithei*." "Perhaps," with renewed hopefulness, "you wou Idn t object to a mother or a grandmother, with spectacles and a cap, and—" ;; Worse and worse!" declared Eric impatiently. Well, what'll we do, then ? " Jr^^'^^-Tn ^°'^" acquaintance of mine and have hore^sUy be '^^"''''^ ^ ^^' '''"'P^"^^"' ^^'^^^ she will " Think it better than my plan, eh ? " " I think it's squarer." " What's the lady's name ^ " " Maloney," absently. '' Ma what ? " shrieked Silas. " Maloney— what's the matter ? " "Why, it's Irish!" "So it is; I never thought about that before." It will look abominable in print, though I might Jrop the y, and write it Malone; that's not so bad I don t suppose you will object to my leaving off the y ? " JJot m the least," said Eric with a bland smile, bu I would not hke to answer for ihe lady herself. otwLe." '" "-^^^^^P-^d -' her nat-onality than "Well, let her think it is a mistake of the type " "" " No r'^"^'' "''"^ ^"^ ^°- ' ^°" '^°"** ^°^^ ^^" ?'" "Better get some quinine." After this advice he took his departure; and Eric, left alone, bolted the door, and flinging himself into a cnair. buned IiJq f3<-« ;« u;„ u_-j_ i^r^ ..... STAJi-CJiOSSED. «4S dre°w a uZ t^ '^ ^T""'^' " '" "•is ! " Then he the words, he sat s^ee^hC^^"; d t^iZonT' '/ was not the injustice of the cha^ ha^stu „l l cruelly, nor the gravity of its imoor rf ^ ^° ungrateful return for gene orse'. T" ""' """ casting off of a friendshrsealed bv >„„"'.":. °' ""^ It was the loss of his faith .ntlT-. ^ '""g-tned years, and trusted, that bowed his head aTd' ■"'" ''^ '"'"' lips the cry: "To think if 1 i^' """^ '"""^ ^-'^ p„. K '°™"l"'shouIdcometothisi " For by some means or other Tom h^H Jil to believe that he had not bel true to ^he'^^r^.'" accep.,^ he (Generva) to the"Llf eftTn'h ^ -ave induced Kt'^aidVrtXr "ers\r:iedt.rL^'tH '^-^ °-- All this at first mysTified Eric to rt"' T"'^'""- he could form no lucid idea ^5. 1, • ' ^^'" "■'' his suspicions were Bv and L ^ """" °' *•■" revealed itself, or whaf Ltr^;eX7;'t'h''; .'r^b' for o course he knew nothing of a uretv "c" ' mahcous slanderer has poisoned him a^t me "r EuiUypassior^NTcltfrXM^t^-jP^'''^^ h-ackguard. whose ^M pu^el air;^: ^^ 'win III! 246 STAX-ClfOSSED. her out. And he puts faith in it owing to his acci- whomTH"^""".!" with those two mischief-makers, whom I distinctly remember were present when I tried to piay the part of a friend, by taking his love affair upon myself, and leading them to believe it was fas hey had heard) my own. And the result is I have lost Tom forever!" He really felt this to be so be his"mi„r" '{/"P"?"-"™^ ^hou'd avail to disakse his mind, could explanations restore the old-time con- fidence and esteem ? He felt, and his impression was reasonable, that nothing could bring them entirely together again, for a link from the chain was gone Who, and the question is a natural one, wrote Tom that mfamous letter? Cou|d it have been Mrs. Win- u2' T ^^""-""f, r'''' '-dy, wh,se posifon, birth, education and lofty religious sentiments .ere so well known ? Could she who stood so high have allowed herself to stoop so low-she whose prate were so lauded whose virtue was so unapproachable The devoted wife, the -model mother, the envied, the fZ'f ■ '''^■■,'P'-«=M"i™ of society, o charity, of good deeds without number ! Could this paragon Le conceived the dea, much less put it into exfcuiion ? Was not her mind above falsehood and calumny-her slender white fingers incapable of bringing themselves m contact with ink so indelible ? Could such a wo- man perpetrate such a crime? Perish the thought - There are no dark spots visible upon her soft, shapely white palms; they are still pale and smooth and beau- tiful Perhaps though, the costly rings lend a cover- mg to many defects which would not be surprising at kndl7o"fficr "'" '"""""^' '° =" ^^'""' P'^y '"is STAXCXOSSED. "47 Who hen wrote the letter ? Could it have been M.SS Be! , consumed with jealousy and passion ? She was playing for high stakes, and she was daring f make .t ? She had a better right to him than a poor obscure actress, who boasted .either name nor family T..ere was sufficient motive for Beatrice to have been the wnter, but was she? Is one quite justified In :r:^a„tir^^^""''^''''''-'-''"-'-^p-'x Did Dorothy do it ? No; for she loved and trusted Enc, and stood firm in her opinion regarding hm never wavenng for one single moment, fo the^n^?; and despair of her mother. "t'he^ml''"' r.' T f '^"'■"'' •■'■"'" ^^^ »ffi™ed, ^^17.^.?°"^^ '■'*"'•" ^°'"^- " f" no other pur- pose than that of proving my faith in his innocence " Remonstratives, threats, recriminations, persuasions provmg unavailing, Mrs. Wfnthrop gave up the con test and contented herself with adopting a haughty and scornful attitude towards her rebellious daughter rarely addressing her, and treating her as a person f"; r *f ''" ""^ ""'^' ="P'=™- indifference Who else than Mrs. Winthrop. or Miss Bell, would Pr-M K* """"^ ■■" ~"<^o«ing the plot? .Silas? Possibly, but not likely. He was as yet undecided as term fr„m h.m) the backer. He rather inclined to the behef that they were both financially interested. Be! lievmg this, he could have derived no possible benefit by scartmg a rumor more than suflScient to cause a dissolution of the partnership, which he secretly I I .It lilfi 248 STAR-CROSSED. approved. " Was it Mrs. Slick ? No a^;.;n f t, could do .0 invent fab/So 'w^h ^hlch t d", t epistle. ■zc^::'^^t^z:::^%'::r^''^ worMoieti„;°atrrvrV postmarks of New York, London Parfs La°'^ other cities, mixed together in the 'm„=7 ■' "'°'" sible fashion. It waf t" ^.ed rv^rirtimr'"; looked very much as if it had been bur^d and ' ' rected (from the dead-I.tter grIveyardT s! ' mousitcamcand anonymous'it Sed L IZ" Enc was obi eed to 3<-n,.=,„i. r- "• unfortunate circumstance h' "'"' '''"' "'^ that she should pTepareherSfr ""' °"'^ '^^''^""^ that might arise,Sellt he need „Tf .^""""g-^X with her upon tie s, Meet ^tlf" When heTir;'"' she started violently, colored vividly aLt,. ' and asked for some water to drink ^ "' "Are you faint ?" inquired Ericac h- to her lips. " •V «cxu a jg^lass STAH-CHOSSED. "Tom has been deceived," she replied, and her voice was quite weak. " He is not to blame." """"""^ pianlZf;-' '*'" ""^ *'■"''■= ^°-"«^ ''^ <-- e- ' reZn^oliV''^''^^ '--'='"«<' to listen to " But consider the bad influence of his adviser, ^„A put together the anonymous letter which conTec^ Z' names and warns him against us, and the confirmatZ ac;ttr uT"™ "^ '"^ ^-^'-- -'" "- "- "All of which we can tell him," she maintained "All and more. Might I trouble you for the wa er a„af„ you have put it out of my reach, and I-" ^ ' hv ^""Tlf "^'^ ^""' "'■° ^^^ not to be deceived aj; fl^f!:;^"" '- ^'"■"' ^"^ '-■^'-^ -- •>' th:'l"d:Ji!:;i^.-'^=''"°*'^''^='''"P"''apstoopen "You want some air," hastily, throwing it ud and regardmg her ashy face. 8 " "P and "Yes, air," she murmured and fainted dead away " We a,^7 "r ■"'" "^"8''' " ''tter from DoroThy We are to sail next week," she wrote, " on the steal; Nevada, and are now paying a visi to a reladve o father's residing in Liverpool. At least Teetrl and myself are. The others have ^mlil^d^if !!' Farther on, and after considerable matter in which lii M n »5o SrAS-CKOSSFD. we have no mterest, she told him of the disagreement between herself and her mother, of her rclfe irth. thought of getting home, which was the dea c t pllce on earth and assured him that she was now coL\^A that 'Absence made the heart grow fonder.'' J her^ had arisen unpleasant things," she said " h„t ^urpnsed to find Tom greatly changed, owine to an occurrence which he would know in due t^L a which she only wished to prepare ^inl for" " '"' reZTj. '°J""'^ '"'P''"""^ ^' ^° b^ -l-^ost un. recognizable. He can walk by the aid nf k;= . far'lrlm r*^ '""g'"' particularly well-written letter far from bemg ,n her best style, but one which some how brought great relief to its recipient. For he saw g'^ird^edrt-ibe"'''-^-^ -"'''-'-'- CHAPTER XXI. THE LAST ACT IN riER DRAMA. h,iV^' ""! "■■'' °' •'^"""y °f "■« y«»r I8-. There had been a heavy fall of snow during the n ght fT uTtil C' T^^ '""'"'"^ temperature, and „;! t ovlr tL r"!.' '" " '""""^ g'''* f™™ the north across the hrrK'' "'"• "" ""^ f^°«" «^«ts, and across the bleak, bare commons, whose unsightlvtree, eaunt and grim, and ugly, shivered in t^ nC ^ ST/IJl-C/IOSSED. >5> sk^ thro " ' 'r ''"'"' ''"^•"'y '" ^ ^1^- winter's rvMal he!;.? : """"T' ''■"-^""S "Bhts upon the wa?ks Thf '?"" P'''' '"«'' "'""g '"e frosty side- walks. The great metropolis was rife with activity Its busy streets, its huge public buildings, its sto es' markets, wharfs, ferries, churches, hotds theatre ' all teemed w.th an overflowing mass of human tv of bells throbbmg out doleful and despondent sounds a rolhng of wheels, a clatter of horses' hoofs, a rumWe of cars, a tr.mp of feet-all seemingly eng^d ?„ a maddening race for life. ™gagea m a The fashionable season was at its height, and New attire, and weanng a fSted air, suggestive of ,hin,-„„ bunches of holly with bnght.coi;redTe il , and ol7 some anfcs under green mistletoe boughs. The shops glowed with rich and gorgeous trappines • sle.ghs echoed the merriment of happy fresh Tun <^ voices and tinkling bells, and hosts of car^.f eTpleasure -^^.r^rn^Lit^fhe^-^^^ t—h'th^trgLi:." --'■'-■^ --- °' R 's theatre was a blaze of light. A placard reading, GENERVA ROMAINE IN "the princess," was conspicuously displayed. A whit. ...... .„.^. _ had been erected from the pavement^; ihe^urbstone"" where were stretched a continuous line of carriages.' l^l 2S2 STAR.C/IOSSED. whisked, and shoved ^Ju P"^"^"^/"^ edged, and a quarter before eight o'clock th. J^' ^^^''^ermg. At and the sign, ^°"'^ "^^^ j^^^^ned " Standing room only,'' whibited. All the first-nighters we^e there Nnt = newspaper or .aga.„e that did not hav^^^^p^el^ The boxes glowed with a bevv of nr^ff,, re^ ir s:r :;:dt:' %"«:- :::: space was taCadvantltXf ' "itf '^">;r '"""^ standing in groups rou^fthe drts rje" unabl'r secure chairs; men towered over them in th. K u° ground. A few distinguished and privileged personr: ' Th tret^i::.-^ --'-'-' -^ ^^^^^ seemedTo"bi" '"'"T'" "'■* P'°P'«' ""'' ='s there tTcto, ,K "° ''"'' '° ">= ''^"■^"d for admission ^ ' ■"'" '""^^ '" ""o"' n>ore money to be taken. ' STA/f-C/iOSSED. •$i As Mr. Slick stepped from a hansom at a little after seven, he found a messenger-boy awaiting him with a letter, upon the envelope of which was printed " Fifth Avenue Hotel." " Who the deuce," he muttered as he opened it, "can be writing to me from there?" Ye gods! " as his eyes lighted upu. the signature and he read; ., ^ New Yoj>fL Tr.auary i, ig— . Mr. Slick: / . . Dear Sir,— We arrived from Liverpool on the Ne- vada to-day, and are desirous of witnessing Miss Ro- mame's d^but to-night. Kindly reserve one of the stage-boxes, for my wife, mother, sister and self, and Oblige, yours very tru! -, Dr. Thomas Winthrop. "His'.vife!" exclaimed Silas, holding up the letter to the gas-jet and regarding it closely ; " his wife ? why he hasn t any-he— but he must have, for here it is and underlined, too! So he's gone and got married,' and I was thinking that Gen-Gen-I wonder if she knows ? By gad, I'll find out-I'll put her to the test, If I never do anything in all my life again ! She'd a been mme if it hadn't been for him, with his big swell airs and smooth-tongued flattery. You go back to the hotel," he said to the boy, " and tell Dr. Winthrop that Mr Slick sent him these (giving him the box- checks which he took from the treasurer), and they'll TX7u^"°°' ^^^ ^^^* ^°" ^^^'^ ^°''&^* *h« amount ' " When the boy had gone he hastened round to the stage to acquaint Generva with the surprising xntZ Iigence. She was dressed for the first act and was 254 STAA'.CHOSSED. hX aid' nt^d^Ld" UhTt'^-'-^'^" "^ -^^' the paper asked UsCo^VuerwTa if """"'"^ °' " No," she declared," she co„uL? ""'^'ned ? not even thinr,- .1, ""'"'"" g"«s— she could her thoughts." ""'""' '^"="^'' to concentrate wariThelr^tf he"-A "" '^■■"'°"* " --'"" knew the trufh but her , """""" '^'" ^"^ =•■« had Been ^^^ ::':ztft^rt"i and cowed bv the loot r.( a u ^- Scared eradualj, Jotrt^riS -^^^^^^^^ he slunk away, and was about to enter tL.^ . ' when he was suddenly confronted brEre who seiH ^i::s^. " -• -" ="- H'-ntat ruM^ claimed f '''"*""' '•^^tardly scoundrel!" he ex cla med; you have told her." Silas began to crv d,dn t suppose you'd care," he whimpered "^^ to'thSete:;^^'^^^^^"™- "^"'' subjected to thist s^u^h atltt. ^ t: thiXfl"; my eflforts to keep it from her „n< 1 / "^ ^^'"'^ **^at all. a^ frustrated, and^ by Z!^::PlX^r;;^ ":w^:f:toTrr-rs^^^^ bilas obeyed. "Now, answer my questions. What bov ,V,a send to him?' ''''nac dox did you H T I swear that I~' STAR-CHOSSED. ^55 " You needn't deny it, for I know from the treasurer that you did ! " " But I charged him with it-I did, upon my honor' I charged him $25.00." " Which, I asked, did you send him ? " " The stage box to the right, and the only one there was left." " Now you can go." Silas went, with alacrity and Eric glanced hurriedly over the note he had that morning received from Dorothy. " They were married in London," she wrote, " and we knew nothing about it. Mamma is delighted, but Tom— oh, Eric ! I know you will forgive him when you see how fearfully changed he is." "I must see her somehow," he said, as he folded up the letter and put it in his pocket, "but how? that's the point. Perhaps she will be here; in which case my best plan is to watch for her." Deciding upon this course, he posted himself in a position where he could get a good view of her if she came in, which he secretly prayed she might. The first strains of the orchestra floated sweetly through the house, the chandeliers blazed up, the hum of conversation abated, and then there appeared in the doorway the whole Winthrop party. Eric's heart beat as he hastened forward, to be greeted by a supercilious stare from Mrs. Winthrop, a cool nod from Beatrice a haughty bow from Tom, and a little sly hand-clasp from Dorothy. They all moved on, following the usher, but she lingered behind desoite the ancrrt, v,»u*. in her mother's eyes. ' ** ' ^'" " Do you love me, Dorothy ? " he whispered as they walked along. ' -<\\ 256 SrAH-CUdSSED. " Ves " It was very softly spoken, but he heaM ,> And you will be my wife in spite of all ?" "' ''' xes, again. " When, Dorothy ?" " Whenever you like ' " ■and clofed the ^ooZZ^ur' ""'" '^^ '^""'"^ Eric hastened away, a dull pain at his heart W!,u out heme ob=»". With- pillar, he's^ota lol at M^ wth' '"^ '"'''" "" " large audience with I'^ToMT^tZ'^tt '"' in a costume of marvelous textnrJ T' .^^atrice fresh from MonsieurWorth ,s L.I ""'""»''°". programme; at Dorothv flu^hlH ^ ^""''"^ ^" lastly at Tom sitdnp .i£ ■- ' '*«^"' *^™*«''. and lngJmplacabVhl:ir t LllS^r''' ""''^'''^- features hard reoell^nf I , ?^ compressed, his the sight notnX hrwrbact T™ '^ '"'"'^ "^^ placed in reces«;^« h • ? **"^"^^^ design were a polar bear the head o"ftj!> ?'"'' "P™ "■' *''■■" »' r ut her wasted for. an'd f^J^^J:^ stricken expression upon her mournful fac^ I have come to make amends, Orloffr she said fixing her great liquid eyes upon h,-;,. ^' "'^ Amends !" he echoed scornfully; "what amenH. can you make for «npK o « ^' .^^ amends " HK u . ..' " " 'V, -^ you Have done r Oh, heavens !" came . ideringly from he^ ,, STAR-CROSSED. 261 nerving herself with an effort she burst out disjointedly I have not come to talk of my treachery, I have not come to sue for your forgiveness, or court your favor I have come to atone. You cannot, you will not deny me reparation." Here she fell upon her knees and burst mto ungovernable weeping. But Orloff's only reply was to wave her aside. Moving away from her he started forward to meet his betrothed, who entered at th&t moment in company with the priest. In a few words Jie made known his desire to be married to the young girl who had thrown herself' into his arms Nathmg of this escaped the wretched woman, who arose with difficulty from her knees, where she had fallen m the abandonment of her reckless woe. Turn- ing with a quick movement she fastened her gaze not upon the General, but upon the private box where sat the man she had loved and trusted. Straight into his cruel, merciless face she looked, until she forced a responsive glance, and in spite of himself he met her eye. Fixedly they stared, each trying to sound the other As the last words of the monotonous service passed the priest's lips, and his sing-song voice died away in a whisper, there fell a deadly hush broken only by the long gasping sigh which burst from Generva as she involuntarily moved nearer and nearer the private box. A strange apathy seemed to have fallen upon her. Her hands, which had heretofore clutched her skirts, fell nervelessly to her sides. ^Her forni so erect, became limp, and a vacant, far- off expression settlor) imnn ln«.. f^-.*. ot- .. ers appear as she did at that fatal moment. '^Princess Delmar I " 269 STAJi-UiOSiiEn. General Orloff recalled the actress to the character But again her eyes wandered. They flew from h; bnde on the stage to the bride in the box th! iooks and actions appropriate to the scene. How the broken reed. ^ ^ **" ^""^ ^""^ ^'^^^ a Nervously, spasmodically clutching at the folds of a moment s hesitation, raised it steadily Then wifh The illusion was perfect. SDrun^nS''*'''.^"''' ^"^"^ "^^"^ ^'"throp as he sprung like a madman to his feet "Oh, love!" ■ . Her voice rang out with startling emphasis Th. words resounded like the spectral echo nf . • - a tomb. apcttrai ecno of a voice in Pale as death, her wonderful orbs fixed her h;.,V and she fell. ' " """"^ """ "'""^ socKets; STAX'CJiOSSED. a63 The drop was hurriedly lowerjed, and the mighty assemblage rose as one man and sent up a deafening cry, " Bravo ! " shouted a thousand voices. " Bravo ! " Flowers were torn from bouquets and corsages and thrown across the footlights. There was a thunder of stamping feet. Wave after wave of cheers passed over the vast auditorium. As she did not respond, the frantic plaudits were increased. " Romaine ! " was the name shouted from every throat. Still no response. Why ? There was a moment's pause, as if the crowd exhausted was gathering energy for another and more prolonged recall. Now there is a movement at the wings. Is she coming at last ? No, it is the figure, the voice of another. " Ladies and gentlemen : " Eric Hazelton's grave face and deprecatory manner won for him an instant hearing. " There has been an accident," hie said brokenly, " a heart-rending accident, that I—" Here, something seemed to choke him and he paused, but as soon as he could command his voice he continued, " Miss Romain" •" A sickening fear spread irom one to another and a stillness of death closed around. " — In enacting the closing scene, overcome with emotion and excitement, has wounded herself seri- ously—fatally! She is dead!" ♦ » # » « « Had a thunder-bolt fallen, the panic could not have been more 'Viiversal. Sorrow-stricken women and ghastly m';n looked helplessly at eact other, and turning, fled through the aisles into the street. The »64 STAR- ru- ment8 mto the.r cases, vanished like fleeting shadows Every hght fluttcd and went out in a fune°ral gloom; a bell in the distance rang fe.pUv '"rthe sombre green curtain fell noiselessly upon he last let of Generva's star-crossed life F"" "« last act THE END.