Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 114: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BONNY JEAN. 107 motioned him to be seated, and a long’ conference followed. When Harry left the room an hout later, his face was set and white, and he trembled, and walked with unsteady steps, like a drunkard ; but in his eyes there shone the light of a noble re- solve. He called Lillian, and as soon as Lady was ready he ac- companied them home. The next morning Manager Horton received a line from the new ‘‘star,” declining all further connection with the theater ; she had decided to relinquish the theatrical profession. There was a twinkle in the keen gray eye of the worthy manager, which strove with disappointment for the mastery. ‘‘Going to retire from the stage!” he soliloquized. ‘‘ They never retire but for one object... Of course, she and Lester will make a match of it, and there’s an end to all my hopes!” But Lady was not thinking of Harry Lester, at least not in connection with a matrimonial dedus, She had sent a line to John Averill, begging him to call upon her that morning before he should leave the city for his home, White and worn witha night’s weary vigil, John came, wondering greatly what her er- rand could be. She laid her hand in his, and looked into his honest eyes, ‘‘John,” she said, softly, ‘‘you used to care for me, didn't you ?” ‘«Stop!” he cried, harshly. ‘‘I cannot endure to see you exult in my misery. Oh, Lady! you used to have a kinder heart !” ‘‘ John,” she went on, quietly, ignoring his interruption, ‘‘1 see that you have mo/ changed ; you love me, do you not?” The look which he gave her spoke volumes, and with a blush- ing face she went on: ‘‘ And—so—John—lI have sent for you to tell you—that—if you still want me, I will be your wife! Will you take me, John, ‘for better, for worse ?’” He sprang to his feet, and grasped her slender wrist. ‘“Tady! Lady!” he groaned, ‘‘are you playing an unwo- GEomichooks (ee) S