The Shasta courier., 1868-07-04

trace.
And why not for you?" Talbot inquir
ed.
:" Ask him !" she answered, laughing, and
pointing at Guertier.
Guertier shrugged his shoulders in true
French fashion, but remained silent.
The conversation went on in this kind of
strain until he return of Mr.. Haley, when
the two young men rose, and bidding good
night, took their departure.
Six months passed away. during which it
happened that GOODNESS sprang up between
Guerter and Talbot. The sarcasms of the
Englishman were sometimes quite intolerable
to the somewhat plebeian pride of the French
man. Nevertheless, they remained on speak
ing terms, and in the presence of others even
ventured upon the interchange of apparently
friendly familiarities.
Grace, who was sharp at detecting the
secret dislike of her lover for Talbot, could
not, however, sympathize with it. There
was an attractiveness about Talbot that was
not to be resisted. He was just one of that
kind of men whom man has most to fear
as rival, and whom woman has most to
delight as lover.
As for Elizabeth. her love for him was pro-
found. absorbing. She kept it secret for a
long time; bu. his quick perception, on his
declaring his. love for her, soon OWNED the
passionate feelings that animated her heart
for him.
One evening brilliant party was given
by Jephson. the dramatist, in his rooms in
Change alley. Amongst those present were
Mr.. Haley, Grace, Elizabeth, and Guertier.
Gard tables were scattered about the room,
around which might be seen assembled
groups attred in the picturesque costumes
with which the paintings of that period have
made us all familiar. Elizabeth was seated
near one of these card tables, watching q
game OF basset that was being dexterously
played, when her attention was called away
1y some persons laughing heartily in the
corner OF the room and on rising to remaI K
the cause of this sudden hilari,y, she per-
ceved abbot standing in the centre of the
group. laughing as heartily as the rest.
1t appeared that Talbot had been amusing
himself with sketching portrait of Cha les
Lucas, the butt and foe of the wits of the
Mercury. The likeness Was caricature,
and presented an absurd resemblance to Mr..
Haley. Guertier had drawn nigh, and on
catching sight of the drawing had burst out
into laugh. This had attracted other by.
ISLANDERS. who, seeing what they fancied to
be the joke, fell to violently laughing them
selves.
8 Give me that likeness Talbot, will you ?'
asked Guertier.
Bah ! it's not worth having" rejoined
Talbot. I" However, you may take it if you
will, and turning upon his heel he strolled
away.
Guerrier took the drawing. and beneath it
wrote the words g Old Hdley" Approach
ing Elizabeth, who, on catching sight Of
Talbot, had blushed and resumed her seat,
he placed the sketch in her hands without
comment. She gazed at it for a moment,
then Indignantly exclaimed -
Did Mr.. Talbot do this p
Yes," was the laconic reply then, after
a moments pause, he added, - it's very like,
isn't it? But what makes you so angry?"
She answered.
'' do not feel very well. am not an
gry."
But her white, contracted brows distinct
ly denied her words. Scarcely had Guertier
left her side when Talbot approached her.
81 have come to take you to the next
room." he said gaily. "It is cooler there,
and the tables are spread with the choicest
repast ever saw. Come
''Did you draw this picture. Mr.. Talbot ?'
lie inspected it for moment and then
said
Yes"
Your father wants you in the next room,
Miss Haley" said Guertier from the door.
:" Have you dared, Mr.. Talbot, to carica-
ture a man whom so love p she said, eager
ly and tearfuly.
6 Your father wants you in the next room,
Miss Haley" repeated Guertier.
will not entertain this company with
scene, Mr.. Talbot" she went on but"
"Why are you talking SO wildly, Miss
Haley?" exclaimed Talbot, clasping his
hands. Surelv-you-you-
He stopped abruptly, fixing his big eyes
upon her with an expression half Of rage,
half of alteration.
- 1t would be advisable for US not to meet
again." she said, rising and bowling haugh.
tily to him.
He turned deadly pale.
And all through caricature of stupid
fool ~ he said.
She drew herself up and gave him one
look then, turning sharply round, she fol
lowed Guerter into the adjoining room =
In quarter of an hour after this the party
left.
Who shall tell the bitterness of the days
and nights to Elizabeth that followed this
quarrel with her lover? Her sister had
married. her father was dead-she was all
alone now.
There had come a revelation from her sis
ter that had almost killed her. Talbot had
not been guilty of the insult which had been
the cause of their quarrel. Grace had been
told the secret by her husband, and COM
passionating her sisters sadness, had COM
municated it to her.
Her grief seemed to broaden around her
1t was miserable to remember that she had
lost lover whom she SO adored. 1t was al
most death to know how he had been lost
She accepted an invitation to spend few
weeks with some friends in London, think
ing that new scenes would help to subdue
the detection to which her mind was now
constantly prey. But the very hum and
shock of the huge metropolis seemed only to
add a W bitterness to her sense of solitude.
One evening she encountered Charles Tai
bot in the streets. She had not seen him
now for long, long time. She was, with
some friends. passing by an exhibition of en-
cravings in Fleet street. He did not recog.
nize her. but she knew him at once. He did
nor look SO well as she remembered seeing
MIN when last they met: She would have
given her whole heart to speak to him but
even while she hesitated, the crowd surged a
little TO and fro, and when she looked around