Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 205 in response to the old man’s request, Lola was sent for to come to the Coronet Theater, that the manager might judge for him- self. The result was an immediate engagement at a liberal salary ; her debut to take place within a fortnight—her role being that of a Scotch lassie, the song, ‘‘ Auld Robin Grey.” The night arrived, and palpitating with terror, Lola came on the stage. The effect of her beauty upon the audience was wonderful. Her acting was very good, and her singing was divine. ‘They sat like people entranced; no one seemed to move or scarcely breathe ; but when she had finished, a storm of applause shook the house, and an avalanche of flowers de- _scended about the fair debutante, Lola Gordon was a success, | She had assumed her mother’s name, S%e//a, for her own pur- poses. She did not dream that that very name would prove her own betrayal—and worse. ‘The night after her first appearance on the boards of the Coronet, a telegram went flying over the wires from Lady Venetia to Sir John Sydney. He came to London immediately on receipt of it, and almost the first object upon which his gaze rested was a play-bill which announced the appearance at the Coronet of S/e//a Gordun. There was a crowd gathered before the posters as the baronet paused to pe- ruse the words. All the color faded from his ruddy face; he threw up his arms with a gesture of horror, like one groping in the dark and afraid, then, with a strange, gasping cry, he reeled unsteadily, and fell to the pavement like one dead. A carriage which had been bowling slowly along, drew up at the curbing, and a beautiful face peered out. Tt is Sir John Sydney !” cried a clear, sweet voice. ‘‘ Lift him into my carriage, and I will see that he is taken home.” A dozen strong arms were outstretched, and the baronet placed within the carriage. Lady Venetia gave an order to the coachman, and it rolled away. ' That night, when Lola came on the stage to sing, she saw in a proscenium box, gazing upon her with eyes full of malicious triumph,*Lady Venetia Chandos and Sir John Sydney, She — Eomichooks (eo)