To My Darling: A Collection of Short Stories

t she had gone to Newmarket. He called again, upon her return, but found her engaged, and then alas! --

was his increasing debts and difficulties, and the extre

en unfortunate all round that year, and with a thrill of disagreeable s

rather absorbing friendship grew out of this acquaintance. She liked him for being simple, he admired her for being complex. The individuality of each pleased th

come on the sta

y, what good

figure --" said the

essional beauty," put in Dacre.

work," said Mrs. Fanshawe. "You would be t

u mean a le

r," said Mrs. Fanshwe, looki

ng her glance; and, then

he inquired later. "A

in the sort of parts you would play, you need only

me?" he inquired,

rs. Fanshawe, with ano

should be awf

you very easily. I believe my manager would be glad to engage you at a high salary, for the present, at

acre, "when they discover

ht be clear of your difficulties by then. After all, thirty guineas a week is what you

!" cried the impe

replied; "and I am

ll fix it al

wil

ch technical discussion, to which he listened in bewilderment. Then his part was sent him, which he found astonishingly ea

was so much excitement and novelty about it, and such a spirit of fellowship pervaded the atmosphere, the he

o remind him of another hope and another ambition, belonging to the days before Mrs. F

nd a slip of paper, on which were printed these words

ceased to convey any meaning whatever to his mind, only lea

painful, and toil no doubt poorly rewarded -- to pay him who would gladly have released her from the shadow of an obligation. He shuddered at the thou

a gentlemen who had evidently received instructions to treat the newcomer with extreme indulgence. He acted with Mrs. Fanshawe, who helped him every possible wa

ndings. The novelty of the whole thing amused him immensely, and after his par

ge manager in the manipulation of a stage crowd, and in dealing with the rank and file

ar seemed to excite h

Miss Grey, this won't do at all! Come, you have nothing to do but carr

picked up her ba

s!" she said mechanically, w

ing the basket from her hand. "You must t

lets! Swee

lace. You'll keep the whole sc

so. As she passed the chair were Dacre and Mrs. Fanshawe sat, the light of a gas-lamp fell full upon her fac

?" asked Dac

anyone else for the part; only, as we open so soon, it is rather unlikely now. Still, I'm really afraid she won't do. How c

ow of the wings, he forgot his surroundings, and the cloak, seein go

s him passing him with a weary dejected hair. He put

he said bel

quickly, but with a slow and dawning compreh

ere, too?"

u see me go thr

ot notice. Are you on the st

t it?" said Dacre smiling

g part," she sa

d y

a growing kindness dared t

ied. "A guinea a week, and v

You see, I have not forgotten anything

is dead," s

ily towards her. "A

quiet, almost toneless, voice. "He left in such health a

struck with a premonit

s shot with

istless hand hanging down at her

d y

she raised her head and looked at him with di

make her understand without hurting her sensitive pride, how fully and entirely he released her. As he was casting abo

he said; "she is asking

tly, and, looking up, he

she said sweetly. "

way, o

owed he