Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 221 CHAPTER XXVI. FACE TO FACE, All London was ringing with praises of ‘‘Stella” Gordon, the new star which had arisen. Dot and Lola had recovered from the effects of the brutal blows which had been dealt them by the ‘‘nobleman,” and were working hard in their chosen profession—working with a hope in their loyal hearts of some day rescuing Geraldine from the awful fate before her. But Lola could not rest. She came to Dot’s side one night, before the hourto prepare for the theater. Dot had lately been rising steadily in her profession—the result of that application and dogged perseverance which sometimes bring about finer results than the zg¢mzs fafuus flash of genius, which soon burns out, and leaves but a blackened mark to show where genius had once been. She sat studying her part for the night in characteristic fashion; her head bent over the table where a dog-eared book lay, its leaves propped open by a heavy paper- weight, her hands over her ears, lest the slightest sound might penetrate, and the red, saucy lips pursed up, as she conned her lines with eager interest: Lola drew near the table ; but, as Dot did not evince any knowledge of her presence, at last she ventured to lay a hand upon the arm of the actress. ‘‘ Dot, what are you thinking of? Your eyes are as bright as diamonds, and have a far-away look.” Dot was blushing now.. ‘‘T believe I wr// tell you,” she returned, sibnteee ; ‘falthough I suppose you w7/ think me silly. It’s a dream that I had a week ago; and, Lola, will you believe me? I have dreamed the same thing every night since! I dreamed that I was in utter darkness; all about me the most frightful clouds and (e(@) Gomiie 900 iS 3