Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-10-02
Gin Gnteresting gtury.
MAUDE ASHTON.
BY W. F. GILCHREST.

Il will come again, tomorrow, Mr..
Winner; have no time to spare now"
The lips of the artist, Harry Winner.
wreathed into scornfui smile as the proud
and -haughty woman retired from bis stu
dio. Long after the green baize door had
hidden the naughty face of Maude Ash
ton from the artists view, be stood gaz-
inginto the direction she had taken, SEEM
ing SPELL bound. Suddenly he started,
and, with a look Of despair, gazed around
hisfstudio.
No one, to have beheld him then would
have known the smiling artist of an hour
previous. The enchantress had vanished,
and the stern reality Of his position forced
itself upon his mind. ...rg,
Maude Ashton was the daughter of a
millionaire, an heiress in her own right,
and Harry Winner was young aspirant
for fame, striving, with brush and can
yass, to win the goddess. Fortune.
h Spite of the vast difference in their po-
sition, the heart Of the young artist had
allowed itself TO become entangled in wild
hopes. at times glowing and beautiful, a.
non sorrowful and respondent. No won
der Harry was entranced by the heiress !;
it was impossible to gaze on the face of
Maude Ashton and not bow before its
strange, thrilling beauty. Beautiful it
was; eyes, whose dazzling brightness
caused the heart to leap even at single
glance; complexion, rich in beauty as the
first tints of Aurora as she gilds the cas-
tern sky; but upon that face of beauty
was seated look of bitter coldness. freez-
ing at the same period it awoke the heart
to glow. ~ ~
s.Dnes she love me 2',,mnsad he A.
las! I fear not. At times I fancy the
glances of those lustrious eyes havs ten
derness, as they are bent on me; butwhen
I address her those proud lips utter words
that chill my heart. Does she love me ?
I am but poor artist, and she -. 1
cannot bear to gaze upon the vast gulf
between US. And yet love will creep in
to the heart Of the poor artist. But that
chilling, freezing voice. Mo-" he cried,
casting aside palate and brush, and start
ing to his feet, "she reads my very heart,
and scorns me, the humble artist. am
fool to allow myself to be carried away
by these feelings
The form of the heiress trembled, and
she endeavored to give utterance to words
wildly at variance with her feeling.
Maude came again for another sitting,
and the artist determined, if possible. to
end his suspense. adroitly shaped the con-
versation until it turned upon affairs Of
the heart. A blush overspread the cheeks
of his visitor, and he fancied he could per-
ceive a glance of tenderness in her beau
tiful eyes that seemed to encourage him.
| Il will know at once" he unused, and
suddenly seizing her hand be exclaimed
passionately !: dearest Maude, love
you fondly. wildly! May I hope to win
your hand ?. i.-.
''Speak-tell me-is my love returned ?
You tremble. CAN'T be possible that M
dreams are realized p --.-
The artists arm encircled the form of
the trembling beauty, and the naughty
head slowly sank upon his shoulder It
was moment Of bliss to Harry. and be
drew her form still nearer, and impressed
one kiss Of fervent love upon her brow.
That kiss recalled Maude Ashton back
to life. She sprang from his arms, and
the next moment the wild torrent of her
heart was stilied. and once more she be-
eame, the heiress again. ..
s"'Mr. Winner, you are beside yourself
to thus address me. t a-i.-s ~ lz.
but my love-"
''No more. Remember our position. u
Chilled to the heart by this sudden
check. Harry Winner arose; and, stand
Ing before the heiress. said:
7a''True, I had quite forgotten that =
You are rich, an heiress, and look witt
scorn upon the humble, unpretending ar
ltist. You scorn lover SO humble
Came I with gold and jewels. fair lady,
you. would not seorn my suit.
Maude's eyes flashed as she answered
"And. sir. as you have not gold ane
Jewels, you must, forsooth, resign you
tsu;t -
SoA0' y <LEstf
Then you admit that you love me ?"