Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 3, Number 3, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 20 July 1872 — Page 6

LEND A HAND.

JAte is made of ups and downsLend a hand. iiiiLife is made of thorns and crowns ff^If you would the latter wear,

Lilt some crushed heart from despairLend a hand!

Crowns are not alone of goldLend a hand ..Diamonds are bought and sold j.. i-fBut the crowns that good men hold

Come from noble deeds alone— xLend a hand! "Many crowns that many wear—

Lend a band

Never in the sunlight glare :v rs Diamonds never in them sliine^ Yet they bold alight divine— t. \r,

Lend a liana

Hold alight that ne'er shall fadeLend a hand. Beauty art hath never made, vifKor these orowns Unit-good men wear, ^Everlasting are. as rare—

Lend a handi .iaasj*« .him \Voal«l you own TO

bright a crown? Wil

Lend a hand. .s "WTien yon see a brother down, Lead him from the deep, dark nlglit,

And place him In the morning light— Lend a hand. tip

[From Lakeside Monthly—July.]

Queen of Hearts.

BY J. T. M'KAY.

She was not christened "Queen but very lew knew her by any other name. They gave it to her as a child, from a feeling they bad, half fear and half admiration, of her pride and high spirit. She ruled the house and all who came to it, from the time she could walk alone. .She was Queen by divine right.

Picture her—tall, distinguished, passionately fond of dress and pleasure and all beautiful thing?, and abundantly supplied with money. In dancing, especially, she showed a grace ana ower quite exceptional, ancla suprisig enjoyment of it for its own sake.

S

He

[enry Sterne called at Mr. Jewel's early ono evening and Queen came down to him in splendor, dressed to go out. ilis eyes spoke his opinion of her: and she shook her head at him ana laughed. "Am I not splendid?" She said.

Don't you think these pearls set me off?" No, I don't,'' he answered "I think just tho reverse."

Oh, come, Henry," she depreciated. Don't you begin.

4

My head would

have been turned long ago if you had n't kept mo straight." Thunk you," he said "I'm not going to Hatter you. I said the necklace did not set you off. Is that flattery You choso tho pearls and put them on for that, I suppose. You did not inako or chooso your face

Well you might bo civil!" she flashed out, then broke out laughing at her own inconsistency and ho joined in, and answered her, us he had often Welore:

Logic is logic that's all I say.'" "Now, I want you to stop laughing at 1110 sho stamped at him, finishing her own laugh and coining back to liim. She loolced at her watch. "Why, it's half past. I declare, I won't wait for him! Be a good boy, for once, Henry, and take mo. Do, now "I'm not dressed for that, Queen," ho made excuse. "I don't enjoy those things, you know. Who's the man I don't want to moddlc."

If 7'm satisfied with your dress I'd liko to know who should find fault," she said, "Will you take me or not? You ought to enjoy it when Piti there, anyway." "You haven't answered my quostion. Who's the dilatory man he persisted. "A lriend of yours," sho answered him Hushing just visibly at his steady gazo. "Baring?" ho queried. "That not liko hnn. Wait for 1110 ten minutes."

Botween ton and eleven, Georgo Baring, burly, handsome, honest and boldlooking, richly dressed, but rather crumpled and Hushed, pushed his way through tho brilliant rooms, and found Quoon with Sterne. Ho explained that ho had been arrestod on his way to fetch her, and had much ado to prove himsoll not a well-known jail-bird of whom the police wero in seaeh. lie was much excited and concerned and Queen, though inclined to bo haughty at lirst, could not but accept his excuses. llo turned to Sterne, then. "I havo to thank Mr. Sterne," ho said, "lor representing me, and well, I'm certain."

His manner was not so pleasant as his words, and they did not greatly ploaso Sterne "That's unnecessary," ho answered, coldly "you owe 1110 nothing whatever." iring asked Queon to dkinee, which she did tnoro than once, llo danced well, and was a well-bred and goodhumored follow. Queen entered with groat spirit into tho festivity, and torgot all about Sterne in tho thronging .and oaeltettlont. H», lor Ida part loitered apart from tho general gayety,' watching Quoeu, and it'll i-uto an uncommonly grave htfinor amid tlio din and merriment. He had seen her with

Baring before, aud with ft hundred. others, and had never cAred—had liked to watch her royal way with them.

Late at night "Quoon caught sight of Jiis glum lace, and canto to him directly.

Why, Henry," she began, "I really forgot you wero here wliero have you been hitting? Como and walk with me."

They passed out of tl»o Babel, and through to where it vn%* cooler ftnd quletor, she chatting to him gnyly, and not seeming to notico that he did not answor. lie stopped and loaned against a doorway, ftspfflfif *nd he said: "Queen, how long are you goh.gto keep this up?" "Why, it's not very late," sho answered. "I guess thev'|l break up in an hour or so. T'tH'&oiTyyou don enoy it. But don't wait on my account. if Air. Baring will see me home, if you don't care.'

Henry looked at her enrionsly. "That wasn't just what I meant," he said. "But never mind. I guess I'd better go, as you say."

They went* back "to the ball-room, and ho bade her good-night, and slipped out uninissed.

Ho sent away the carriage, and walked home alone. He thought over some thingscarefully, which looked differently from what they over had before, lie was a self-reliRat fellow, and not dependent on others. Tho only thing he had greatly cared for was Queen's friendship and he had been so secure Of that, that ho had held it rather lightly, and very likelv all the more surely for that. He had not cared whom she took or made Jfriouds. She was bead or head and shoulders above thetu all and

80

long as she looked down, ho did

not care how she smiled, *r on whom. He was the only one sho met equally, on her own level and it was partly hlaowitstralght standing vith her that had made her so regard him.

He had thought of all that before. He did not know just why he was looklog to his footing now. liiring vrsa his,

friend, and a good fellow, though by no means Queen's equal. He was engaged in a mining scheme "with old jewel, and be could certainly not be blamed for admiring Queen and if she liked him, she had not the worst taste and what right bad he to find fault? She was able to take care of herself, and he had never yet thought her in need of dictation. Sterne went to bed convinced that there was no reason for anv perplexity, yet perplexed.

Time did not straighten, but increased and complicated the tangle. He dropped in at the Jewel's one evening, a month or two later, and found Queen in her home dress, and rather qnlet. "What, not going out?" he asked, surprised.

No: I'm not always out," she answered. But to-night," he continued. I thought this would be a great night for you."

Henry/' she returned, sharply, "you asked me how long I was going to keep this up and now you wonder if I stay home one night."

So she had understood and remembered his words! He was suddenly moved toward her, and spoko with quickened breathing. "Queen, I'm tired of this! I.care more for vou than for all tbe world. I don't care much for anything else."

Sho rose up and stamped her foot. Oh, stop it!" she cried out. "I'm perplexed enough now. I'm not tired of it. I never shall be. I shall dance till I havo to paint my face nnd dye my hair. Let me alone!" She turned away and sobbed passionately part of a minute then was calm again, almost instantly. "Don't make love to me, Henry I shall despise you if you do, and I can't afford to lose yon. You're tho only friend I've got, and I can't do without you. I can be any more. I'm only a child. I can't do without my toys and my play. I should mope us both to death in a month. I have nothing to give you, and I won't hear of it. Don't allude to this again. Let us be friends, as we have been. Go away, now. Good night." She went abruptly away, and left him to make his way out alone.

Some one was coming up the steps as he closed the door and he came close Mid looked in Sterne's lace. It was Baring. .... "Halloo. Sterne! Is that you?" he called. "Have you got the start of me

Started, and ruled out," H^nry answered, and laughed unpleasantly. "The track's clear I guess."

He heard some things that he did not greatly like, shortly after that, .and went to Queen.

You mustanswer me one question," ho said. "Are you going to marry Baring

She answered, "lam. Do you know anything against him?" Sterne was walking about in agitation. '"No," he replied. '"He's honest, and no coward, rich, handsome, and average clever and he thinks the world of you. But do you think so of him?" He stood eyeing her. She flushed angrily, and retorted: "That's my affair, I suppose you forget yourself. Do you know any reason why I should not marry him if I choose

There is no reason why you should not marry him," he answered, "except that there is no reason why you should and ho camo away and went to Baring. 1 lo began rather roughly but Baring put In.

Look here, Sterne, wo aren't children. Don't let's call names, and that. We\*e always been friendly, and we're in the same box this time. We played fair, and I had the luck, and won, that's all. It's rough perhaps on you. I'm sorrv, Sterne, hanged if I ain't. I know how it would be myself. Sho can't have us both, you know. But I'm glad it ain't mo—I am, Sterne."

Sterne would not be turned from his point. "There's only one reason for two persons being married, I suppose?" ho pursued.

Yes, yes. Tender nnd true," Baring answered. "I'm safe enough on that. I wish she hadn't a penny—I do, Sterne."

But there's two in it," Sterne went on "and it can't bo all on one side. And you sin the same if you persuade or permit ber to. take ydu for any other reason."

Oh, now, Sterne," Baring broke out, "let up on that! If it was anybody else, 1 wouldn't stand that. I inako allowance for you. I know it's rough on youl But you must n't hit mo liko that—you'd better not. I'd look pretty going and telling her she's got to spoon on me, or I won't marry her. I guess she knows her own mind. It ain't to bo expected that sho should havo that kind of what-you-call-it to me that I do to her. I ain't fit for't. Td be scared if she did. I ain't as cloveras you but I'm as straight and clean as the rest of you, I guess and there ain't anybody fft for lier, if you come to that. You want her yourself, you know you doj and you're no more tit for her tbat I aui and I don't want you to trv that on again." To which injured and agitatod speech of the honand good-natured fellow's, there est was little or too much to be said. So Stcrrfe said no more. He,was chafed aud in no patient or kindly humor, but he knew Baring meant right, and he was not going to be a fool. He shook hands and parted friendly, alter rim fashion. le did not seo much of Queen alter that. Talk was all well enough, but they couldn't bo tho sarao as they had. Ho buried himself in his abstracts and affidavits but whenever he put them aside, and often in their midst, his mind turned back to a case that conc?rned him more than all of those and neither code* reports, nor revised statutes would help him here. But tho winter passed all the same.

Mr. Jewel received a message from the West, ono morning, that took the color out of his red, full face. He was iu bis private room at the Office of tho "Montezuma SilVbr Mining Company." Mqntezuuia was no sham stock and scrip swindle. The leads were very rich, and had been worked in a thorough manner for a yoar, now, with good results. Jewel aud young Baring had bought out the first owners, and spent large amounts in an outfit of buildings and the best apparatus. The news was that the Indians had become very hostile, had already attacked the camp and destroyed half of the ma-1 chinery, and it was feared the mine* might have to be temporarily aban-j doned.

The president did not hesitate lone. Ho called in his confidential clerk, made a list of names hastily, and gave it to him. "Go to these brokers, Clerk," he commanded "tell each of them to sell two hundred shares to-day sav I must have the money by night, and no more see it doesn get on the street."

A gentleman came in just then, and Jewel ordered the clerk to go out and wait. The new-comer showed symptoms of agitation, very like the president's, only he was past the first excitement, and more calm. He was a life-long friend of JewelV-Frederick

Brevis, the professor. Jewel noticed his troubled manner. Have you heard of it, then, Fred he asked, eagerly. "It isn't on the Btreet, already It can't be." "Heard what? I don't know what you mean," was the answer. Fve just come from the doctors.' /Jewel, they give me a year, at the outside."

Oh, the deyce they do, Fred the president cried, jumping up. '^That's worse than minu. What is it Fred? Not heart?"

Yes, Jewel, heart. They say I may drop any minute. It's a littlo tough, at first. I ain't used to it yet, you know and it kind of takes the wind out of me. I don't want Julia to find it out. She'll know it soon enough. You won't mention it? I came in about her. I want to make sure of providing for her fend I don't know of anything safe that pays a better per* oentage than your stock. The pnly trouble's the premium. It's quoted at fifteen, and that pulls down the interest. Can you lot me have some at oneten

No, no, Fred he cried out "you can't have it at any price?. I'm derned sorry about that! Go away, now. I'll come down. I can't think now. Fate's got me down.

He took down his hat with both hands, and crushed it on his head. He hnrried out without his coat, though it was cold, and went home. Up to Queen's sitting room bestrode heavily, shut himself in witli her, and stood in the middle of the room thinking and scowling fiercely. Then he noticed her staring at nim, growled out something unintelligible, and thrust the paper at her sat and Watched her rpad it twice through.

Tell me what it means, father," she said. "It means that the Company is ruined,'' he answered "and everything we've got goes with it." "What? Everything?" She buried her face in her hands* calmly dismayed, trying to comprehend what the word meant. "Can nothing be saved "We and Baring hold a quarter of the stock. I can sell a good deal of it to-day at par, or higher. To-morroW nobody will touch it at any price. What shall I do I leave it to you."

You may think that was easy to answer but wait till you have tried. Kalf an hour later, Jewel was iu the office again. He ordered th^t no stock should be sold that day. Thb, next, Montezuma went down forty percent., with few buyers. Mr. Jewel went West directly. He bad been there before, and would let no one else go. A month later ho walked oht in the evening from an Arizonia mining station to meet a party who were following with the silver and most valuable articles from the abandoned Montezuma mines. An Apache attack was feared, and he was to put them on their guard. He missed tho wagons, and returned late alone, to find ashes and dead men only. Weeks after, be wandered into the settlements, white-haired, nearly starved to death, and quite crazed. And so, in June, he was brought home to Queen.

Baring came into Sterne's office, one morning, in a fury. By she's sacked ine, Sterne!" he swore. "Did you ever hear the like? I was glad the money was gone, I swear I was I was going to show her what I was made of. I had it all arranged for her and the old gentleman, and went to tell her. I'm shot if she didn't take away my breath She says we're two different nersons, and neither is anything to the o'ther, now the money's gone. I'm awake, ain't I, Sterne? Blamed if I know!"

And he went staving away. Sterne got a note from her that day: I'm at 61 Creamer street. Come and see me."

Ho hunted up the place the same evening. It was now a month or more since the catastrophe, and he had hardly seen her. Baring was always at hand, as was indeed natural on moro than one account, he losing equally with them by the company's colapse. Sterne could not find fault with him but he was as proud as Queen, in his silent way, and it galled him to be second even in her service and he scorned to play the part of the lugubrious lover. Ho found father and daughter lodged in two rooms on a third floor. Queen received him quietly, and with dignity. "Come in, Henry. Speak low. Father's asleep in the other room, llo doesn't know of the change at all, and we have to humor him. Why haven't you been to soe me? It was unkind not to come, in my trouble." "Was it?" he said. "I did come. I'd have come more, if I'd thought you wanted me. I didn't think you needed me. You had Baring, I didn't .want to seem officious, or be in the way."

She looked at liim questioningly, and asked, "Havo you seen him

la"Yes.

I wanted some

wanted no charity. He knew her pride and self-confidence. Now, she was going to show what she was. He admired her, and believed 111 her more than he ever bad. "A true queen needs no trappings," he said to himself. He looked up toner and asked, "What are you going to do?" don't know'" she answered. "I. have a hundred dollars left that won't last long."

No. Indeed," he agreed "not long. I have a little to spare, and you know that's youre when you want.it. But you don't want charity, of course. Have you made no plan yet

Plan she answered. "Don't vou' know that wo lost everything I have nothing, and I expect nothing." "Nothing?" he repeated, incredulously. "What do you mean? Why you have everything left but your father Do you call that littlo bit of earth and air that your father walled and roofed in—carpets and furniture and the jewels and dresses you gave lustre to—everything? Haven't vou health and friends and a splendid body and mind, and all the world open before you? Why, you're set free, that's all: and I know you have the spirit in you that puts the world under its feet and rules over it."

IIo turned about the room excitedly. The idea that such a creature as she shpuld be in the world with no part in its plan and working, \Vas so incredible that it set him raging the more that he rather felt what must and should be, than saw any definite way. "What am I to do?" she demanded with passion. "I can't sew or teach. I broke the strings of my piano when I left school, and they were broken when it was sold at the auction. I can't read or sing or act. I can't cook or wash, and I'm too old to learn. Whose fault is that? I'm what I was made, and I didn't make myself. You 're my friend. You know I can't do anything. You know me better than anyone, and you can't nanie the first thing."

He wheeled round and round, and then faced hert You can dance," he said.

It sounded like a taunt but it hurt him more than her. He believed in her so thoroughly, he could not bear to think of her as cowed by adverse fortune. He would not take even her own evidence against her. He would hot think meanlv of her for any proof he knew better. "His answer was more to the spirit of her question than the letter, and more lor himself than for her.

She drew herself up quite stately, and grew suddenly cold and distant from him. "Thank you for Reminding me," she said. "I had forgotten that."

And then he was alone in the dingy little parlor, grown suddenly a very dismal place. There was nothing left, then, but to come away. He was no one for her to look for help, though he cared more for her than for every thing else. Was it strange? The Queen he hall known so well and long was so strong and straight, he had never thought of her as needing any man's direction or approval, even much less his own. That was the Queen he knew, and he wanted no other, He believed, in a general way, that sho could do everything, and take thorough care of herself under all circumstances. It was this creature of his thought that he set in his high

Ey

I saw him to-day."8*^

I'm very sorry, Henry." She spoke low and quickly and with some emotion. "He's been very good to us, and I like him very much but I couldn't help it. Everything was so different, then. Icould'nt see or think for the glitter and din and I'm twice as old as I was, and I see things plainer. I'm no child, now: I seo that there's no reason why I should marry him that there never was more than half a reason at the most."

A querulous voice was calling Queen and she went to the owner's door ana spoko. "Who's that with you?" the voice asked. "I heard a man's voice. Didn't hear a man's voice, Queen "It's Henry," she answered—"Henry Sterne. You remember Henry, father? Wouldn't you like to see him?" "Sterne? Sterne?" rambled the poor gentleman. "Of course I know Sterne What makes you say remember, Queen I know Sterne as well as you. Come in, Sterne glad to seo you! Howd' do? But what's he doing up hero? What are you doing np here, Sterne?"

in^

ed quickly, "and I called him, father.' "Help he pursued. "What help Whv don't you have John

^, v.-- you have John up, if there's anything to lift, or that sort of thing? Well, well, never mind, now. Good nlglit, Sterne! Go down, now. Take him down, Queen."

She took him down to the landlady's parlor, She stood by the mantel, waiting for him to speak, poorly dressed, but not the less queenly. And he sat by the window, and tried to comprehend himself and her. What did she mean by quoting their former words? And what help was it she wanted? Now that she haJ broken with Baring, were they to tal^e up their relations Or what new ones A flattering interpretation crossed his mind but he put it sternly away. Jt was not pleasing. He would not think other as stooping, even to him. He scorned to take advantage of her troubl©, to pfesr himsell upon her. Had she not repelled Urn in her strength and -was he not bound to respect her weakness Then Baring Did he want to step into shoes still warm from his friends leet? No, no! That was awkward. He hoped be wanted nobody's shoes. And she

laco, ana honored, not by servile, but the proudest homage. Change of fortune he counted no more than change of dress. She was freed, that was all, he said. That this was not tho real Queen, or the whole of her rather, but only one phase of her, he never thought, and could not be made to believe. That she could be weak or beset was impossible. A Queen who needed support and protection, was not the Queen he knew, and could be nothing to him. He did not see all this clearly, or at all, perhaps but I think it explains his actions.

She would not soe him, after that. She sent back his letters unopened. He could find out nothing about her for a longtime. He called one evening, and found the landlady alone, and questioned her. The old. gentleman was quite broken in mind and body. He called her Mrs. Cushing, she said, though her name was Jones. Miss said it was duo of his old servants he took her for. John, their old coachman, had bought the carriage and horses at the sale, and set up for himself. He came, sometimes, and took them out and the crazed gentleman ordered him as if he owned all. John was quite dovoted to them both, and had taken Miss out sometimes in tho evening. Miss went out regular now, abouteiglit. Tommy Boyne, the coachman's son, came and took her, and brought her home. Sterne remembered Tommy, a stout stump of a boy, maybe fourteen now. No, they were not in need that sho knew of. Miss paid her regular from the second month, and she thought they were pretty comfortable. She doubted if the sick gentleman was long for this world.

Ho called, then, once again but she would not see him, and he called no more- He was proud, too, and at least would have her respect.

It was fall when Baripg came to him in a new and not.better humor. "Sterne," ,he began, "I'm dead broke! I'tn'deuoed if I care what conies next. Look here, Sterne. I bought in the cursed Montezuma, at the sale,—rather, I got Gaines & Co. to buy it. We've got a now company, and the mine's being worked. The Indians are peaceable, and the leads are turning out double. I've been out and managed it all, and I own a big share. I've just been and offered it all to her. I could give her, her old position, and in time, all she ever had. I'll sell out dirt-chenp, Sterne, stock, fixtnres, and good-wiil. The owner has no further use for the properly."

He smiled rather dismally, atad werit out and Stern?' heard him walking aimlessly about the passage, before he went slowly down the stairs to the street.

An acquaintance of Sterne's, young Gent, dropped in ono afternoon, about tbat time, aqd asked him,, casually— "SternC, what has become of the Jewels

They're living down here in Creamer street," he replied, I was at the opera, last night," the fellow continued, irrelevantly and Sterne asked himself what the deuoe he was stai ing at. "Well, how did it go? What was it?" "Oh, splendid thing," ho replied.

What's-her-name sang like a nightingale. But there's a girl there now that's magnificent. She's anew thing, but she's wonderful—brings down the house every time. Genevra, they call her. And do you know, Sterne, she looks for all the world like Queen Jcw^l

Sterne was tilted back in his chair, his arms raised, and twirling a pen ir^ hie fingers beside his ear. "The devil she does!" he said and came down with a thump, and drove the pen into the table.

Young Gent looked rather frightened at the battered bit of gold. Oh, no oftence, Sterne," he said.

It's hard to tell a person made up,and that and if you khow what they're doing, of course it isn't ber." "01 course not," answered Sterne and the young man went away.

He had some notary business that evening that he could i^ot avoid. When he caine to the theatre, it was late. The curtain rosd upon the last act of the piece, as he took his seat. There were many persons in the scene, but he noticed only one. The scene passed by in a dream of multitude and music, glare and color ana passion unintelligible and then the picture changed, and the heart of the dream was gone. But presently she drifted back again and he bent his mind and strength upon her, and vowed that she should look up. And by and by in a pause of the action of the piece, as she turned and faced the house, she raised her eyes swittly, and, out of those thousands of centering faces, saw his, and but his.one It was only a flash, but he knew that she saw and knew him. Queen had finished her part in a minute more, and passed behind the scenes. She met the stage manager and with the roar of applause in her ears, she said to him "I'll Hot go put again."

The applause did not cease—only sank and swelled again, demanding the seen once more. The manager sent for Queen, but she paid no heed. Then he camo himself, hurriedly, reasoned, threatened, raved, and swore, at her. And after her first refusal, she gsve him no answer at all. They put the scene on without her. A good natured but resistless storih drove the actors back in dismay and ories were heard from all sides: "Genevra! Genevra!"

They waited to let the gust spend itselt and then the next scene w.as boldjy pushed on aud begun. But thq storm rose fiercer than ever, and increased till the curtain shut swiftly down agaiu upon the deafened uud Beared singers. The manager appoared before the curtain and tried to make them hear him but they laughed and hissed and stormed back again. The orchestra tried vainly to be heard. A burst of derision and disfavor greeted the first blare and scrapc, and drowned out any that followed. The musicians waited for a lull, and began over and over, getting redder ana shorter of breath each time, as the storm continued to grow fierce. Some light missiles began to be tossed toward the orchestra and then something heavier struck the conductor's baton from his hand, as he signalled a last attempt and such a burst of derision aud mock applause as broke close upon it, that tho musicians were stricken with sudden panic, and lied precipitately out of the house, pelted and hooted, as they went. The house was thoroughly excited now, and bent on having its way. The whole great throng was on its feet, calling bantering, expostulatiug, gesticulating, the tumult ot clapping and stamping fast growing furious. Its blood was up ancl the mob-spirit ruled, merciless, insatiable, not to bo denied or appeased, shook tho building to its foundations, and seemed to raise the roof with its din. And ceaselessly, through all the tempests of cat-calls, whistling, laughter, and all manner of mad uproar, the ciy ran persistently from all sides, and in all keys and humors:

Genevra Genevra! Genevra!" Again the manager appeared before the curtains, and tried to make them hear him. His arms, face, and body worked yiolentlv. and he was plainly speaking with all his strength but it was all dumb show in that fierce Babel, and he dodged bacK, a minute afterward, scared and in haste. He met Queen there,cloaked and hooded for the street. His look of dismay, and some terrifying sounds that came to them through tho roar, made her pause aud ho ran up to her gesticulating frantically, and biwlod in her face:

Do you hear that They will pull the house down This i%vour work." Sho turned quickly lrom him, went round by the wing, and out before the curtain, just as she was. The awful storm hushed suddenly as she walked to the front of the stage, faced them a moment, scanning the circling billows of flushed faces and staring eyes that rose tier upon tier to the roof, bowed slightly and turned to pass out by tho other wing. The whole movement was so statety and proud, so empty of fear or deprecation or any trucklingto their own will or power, as to almost seem but scorn. The momentary calm broke up in a sudden burst of passion, fierce and startling as a white squall, like the lury of somo boast that sees its "prey turn as it escapes. Sterne was on his feet, wildly excited, restraining, shouting, almost fighting with a yelling, rough lot of young men about him. Ho saw a tall fellow in the third row below him stoop down, then straighten up and raise his arm with something hoavy in his hand ready to throw. Sterne shouted, and iu the same breath leaped down between the howling pack, and came crashing into the tall fellow's seat close behind where he stood, seized him and hurled him fairly over the gallery, into the tier below. Such a scene as then followed for a fearful minute, is not to be told. It seemed then as if nothing could prevent a general catastrophe, and the certain maiming and crushing of many persons. But a strange and more tragical incident broke the thread of the furious business, and scattered the elements of the fierce combinations.

A single cry pierced through the mad din, not louder than others but different—penetrating, organized out of a deeper passion than wrath and bodily fear. A thousand eyes turned to the sound, and saw, In a prominent place, a tall old gentlemftn standing,perfectly still and straight, looking out with a fixed stare above them an, and beside him was a gifl white as ashes,and looking iu bis face.

It was eld Jewel's friend, Frederick Brevis, and his only cnfld, Julia. While they looked, tho white head dropped suddenly and both went out of Sterne's sight. "Make way!" shouted Sterne and climbing through and over the throng, to where the stricken girl crouched with the old han in her arms. She knew what it was: he had tried to keep it from hor, but she bad found him out. ,' Let me take him Miss Brevis," said 8terne. "I am stronger than you. He's only fainted. Don't ue alarmed."

He torned and shoutod to the pressing people: Stand back there, will you? Let the man have air!"

The lady looked up at him, quite awfully oalm, and keeping tight her hold.

Let him alone, Mr. Sterne," she said, "lie doesn't want air. He is dead."

They took him lrom her and carried him out presently: and then the blood crowded back to the daughter's heart, and Sterne came and fcnnd her lying deathlike in a strange lady's arms,took her np also and carried her oat. Many friends bad gathered anfund her now and Sterne turned away, and went about another concern. He ran round to the stage entrance, hunted, inquired^

found no one, and went quickly away toward Creamer street. When Queen had passed from before the curtain she looked vainly for her little Cornettee, and oaine across her, nearly frightened to death, and seeking vainly for her father, the old musi,-. cian. "Oh, I'm so glad you have come!" she cried, coining close. "Isn't it dreadful I can't find father anywhere. I don't know what I shall do." E "I'm alone too," replied Queexm "Come, and we'll go home together." 1

They slipped out and away. Young Boyne had not come yot: it was not his time. Queen went home with her timid companion. It was off her track and she found the street unexpectedly lonely and dismal when she had bidden tne child good-night and heard tho door shut upon her. She drew her cloak together and hurried along, wondering at her new found timidity, startled by every sound, crossing over to avoid a policeman on a corner, scurrying fearfally past a casual passer-by. She had not thought of it before, but she could not remember of having been out late alone, and she did not find that she liked it.

She came to Straight street, and felt more at home. They walked along a block or two, looking out for the boy. It was about his time, and that was his way. She heard rapid walking behind ker then it came closer, and some one came up apd walked by her side. She looked round,and drew back. It was a large, over-dressed man. "So, Guinevere's alone in the wilderness," ho said. "She must let mo be her Launcelot, ai^d see, her to her castle." j".

Wbat do you want, sir?" sho demanded haugbtilv. "You mistake. I don't know you. "Go your own way. I want no .company."

You do know ine he said. "Mr. Heaviman introduced me. You can't have forgotten."

I told him I did not want your acquaintance. You heard me. You have pursued uie long enough. If you area gentleman, jrou will go about your DPsiness and leave me alone."

His manner changed to a rougher one. He grasped her arm and doubled it under uis own.

Come now," he said. Don't bo so high flown. It don't become a dancing girl, like vou. That'll do on the stage. You've bothered me long enough. You've had your turn, and now it's mine. You'd better come quiotly. You'll only make a row and hnrt yoursolf."

Let me go!" she cried out passionately. "How dare you sir Let me go I tell you! I'll scream! I'll -call the police!"

Do," he answered. "Sep, hero comes one, now. Have mo arrested." Then, as she made towards the officer eagerly,he added, "Don't bo a l'ool,now. He won't believe you. Lidies don't usually choose this hour to walk the streets alone."

She pushed toward the approaching watchman, and appealed to him excitedly. The man stared offensively, and the ruffian waited till sho had done. Then he said:

Look here, my friend, don't meddle in this now. They can't keep her home. Friend of the family, you know. Trying to make her go homo, that's all."

He appeared to shake hands with the officer. The policeman nodded and stared knowingly, growled something about a "dead set, and a "bad lot and moved away on his beat. She was dumb with shame and fear. She trembled with horror at the intolerable insult of the two men's words, and sought vainly for refuge. If she fought and cried out,no ohe would believe her. He was very strong, and held hor relentlessly.

You see it's no use." he said. 'Come on, now. You wouldn't let mo como with you, now I'm il you don't come with ine."

He dragged her so several blocks. On a corner slie caught hold of a post and held on with all her might. 'I Now what's the use?" ho half expostulated, half threatened. "You'll onl3* expose yourself again. 1 can get the police to help me, it I want thom."

He tried to pull her awfty, but she clung fiercely and silently. Her head turned from him, a^d tho light of tho lamp fell on her shrinking, horrified fhce.

5

Baring had como home that evening about dusk, still, slow, and unpleasant te look at. He was absent at dinner, and ate little or nothing. He lounged about restlessly awhile, and then wont out ag-tin. Queen had forgotten her night-key, and bidden Tommy get it from Mrs. Jones and fetch it yvhen ho oauie to see her homo. He had.been on this errand, aqd was commlijg away from Queen's lodgings, wheti Baring accosted him. Baring knew the boy well enough, and that he went out with the Qu*en. He wanted to know more but the boy was discreet. Baring made him come with him, and they had somo fefreshmeat. They then went into the minstrels awhile. When tliey came opt, they had somo moro ^freshfnont. Baring gave tho boy wine, and at last found all that he kne#» Ho saw the unsteady boy home, after that, engaging to go and fetch Queen himself, and tell her that Tommy was sick.. It was nearly time for the picco to bo done, and he hurried alttng to bo in time. He saw two peopk standing on a corner ahead. Coming nearer, he saw that one, a womanFwas holding silently by the post, ni|rthe rr.an trying to draw her awaf. Something drew him to the plac« and ho camo straight up and looked aer in the luce.

Oh, Queen he salft ig it you She broke away wjtti a cry, and sprang to him. [i

Oh, George she dried. "Oh, the villian, the villlan I»lp me, George! jn_ is hurt and Oh, I'm so glad He sqlted mo horribly."

Baring took her in 1 her close an instant.^ from her quickly, curse at the rulfian'fl fellow answered struck him in tho heavy and hard, an*. the stones. "You go to hinifast en'/U^h," he sneered at Queen.f" You ciui go to him, now, and to ate devil! I guess I've spoiled his beafety for you."

She caught her and bound np crying and De disfigurement, then.

arms and hold Then he turned •sprang with fThreat and the an oath, Rnd with somcthihg felled him unon

Baring heard tbejtrords, and groped blindly to his kne«. But the villian bad turned back fa the shadow, and!

was gone. Oh, never min sobbed. Oh, he What shall I do?

mo, George she nearly killed you

mdkerchief, tore it, face as she could, ing his pain and hid not mind either,

Don t. Quee

he pleaded through ?'I'd suffer ten times I don't care for it..

Ms bruised lips, that to neip you

I'd do anything] for you. Can't you care for me, Qunn Can't yon take me, now "Oh, don't ask me, George 1 I'm so sorry but I caflft. It would be a sin.",, [Continueipa Seventh Page.]