e some effects that were entirely novel to the audience. As
the light was turned successively upon one and another of the clusters
of glass, sometimes it would flash along the whole line so rapidly that
all the various combinations of color and motion seemed to be combined
in one, and then for a time each particular set of fireworks would
blaze, sparkle, and coruscate by itself, scattering particles of
colored light as if they had been real sparks of fire.

This curious and beautiful exhibition of miniature pyrotechnics was
extremely interesting to the audience, who gazed upward with rapt and
eager attention at the line of wheels, stars, and revolving spheres.
So far as interest gave evidence of satisfaction, there was never a
better satisfied audience. At first there had been some hushed murmurs
of pleasure, but very soon the attention of every one seemed so
completely engrossed by the dazzling display that they simply gazed in
silence.

For twenty minutes or longer the glittering show went on, and not a
sign of weariness or inattention was made by any one of the assembled
company. Then gradually the colors of the little fireworks faded, the
stars and wheels revolved more slowly, the lights in the body of the
theatre were gradually raised, and the stage curtain went softly down.

Anxiously, and a little pale, Herbert Loring peered through the
loophole in the curtain. It was not easy to judge of the effects of
his exhibition, and he did not know whether or not it had been a
success. There was no applause, but, on the other hand, there was no
signs that any one resented the exhibition as a childish display of
colored lights. It was impossible to look upon that audience without
believing that they had been thoroughly interested in what they had
seen, and that they expected to see more.

For two or three minutes Loring gazed through his loophole, and then,
still with some doubt in his heart, but with a little more color in his
checks, he prepared for the second part of his performance.

At this moment there entered the theatre, at the very back of the
house, a young lady. She was handsome and well dressed, and as she
opened the door--Loring had employed no ushers or other assistants in
this little social performance--she paused for a moment and looked into
the theatre, and then noiselessly stepped to a chair in the back row
and sat down.

This was Edith Starr, who, a month before, had been betrothed to
Herber