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Beth Norvell

Page 60

She had expected the probability of such a happening, yet her face

perceptibly paled while perusing the brief note handed her by the stage

manager upon coming forth from her dressing-room. Her first impulse

was to refuse compliance, to trust fortune in an endeavor to keep

beyond reach, to turn and run from this new, threatening danger like a

frightened deer. But she recalled the financial necessity which held

her yet a prisoner at the Gayety. This writer was partner in the

gambling rooms, possibly in the theatre also; her chance for escaping

him would be very slender. Besides, it might be far better to face the

man boldly and have it over. Undoubtedly a meeting must occur some

time; as well now as later so that the haunting shadow would not remain

ever before her. The color stole slowly back into her cheeks as she

stood twisting the paper between her fingers, her eyes darkening with

returning courage.

"Where is the gentleman, Ben?" she asked, steadying herself slightly

against a fly.

"First box, Miss; right through that narrow door, yonder," and the man

smiled, supposing he understood. "Very convenient arrangement for the

stage ladies."

She paused, her hand resting upon the latch, in a final effort to quiet

her rapid breathing and gain firmer control over her nerves. This was

to be a struggle for which she must steel herself. She stepped quietly

within, and stood, silent and motionless, amid the shadows of the drawn

curtains, gazing directly at the sole occupant of the box, her dark

eyes filled with contemptuous defiance. Farnham lounged in the second

chair, leaning back in affected carelessness with one arm resting

negligently upon the railing, but there came into his pale face a

sudden glow of appreciation as he swept his cool eyes over the trim

figure, the flushed countenance there confronting him. A realization

of her fresh womanly fairness came over him with such suddenness as to

cause the man to draw his breath quickly, his eyes darkening with

passion.

"By thunder, Lizzie, but you are actually developing into quite a

beauty!" he exclaimed with almost brutal frankness. "Life on the stage

appears to agree with you; or was it joy at getting rid of me?"

She did not move from where she had taken her first stand against the

background of curtains, nor did the expression upon her face change.

"I presume you did not send for me merely for the purpose of

compliment," she remarked, quietly.

"Well, no; not exactly," and the man laughed with assumed recklessness

in an evident effort to appear perfectly at ease. "I was simply

carried away by the enthusiasm of the moment. I was always, as you

will remember, something of a connoisseur regarding the charms of the

sex, and you have certainly improved wonderfully. Why, I actually

believe I might fall in love with you again if I were to receive the

slightest encouragement."

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