The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-10-21

aud slender, with regular features,
laughing black eyes, and black curling z
hair; mustacho of the same hnl
shaded his well formed mouth, and eV
en- white teeth. Lenore thought thai
he was the handsomest man she had
ever seen-almost.
All Lenore, when that last word oc-
Cured to you, were you not thinking
Of the young artist
When she had gone; Gilbert ST. Al.
ban said TO himself "How beautiful
Lenore has grown! and so graceful
In all my travels l have never seen any
one as pretty as little Lenore."
In few weeks from this time, How.
ard finished the portrait. Mr. Vardell
had not been allowed to see it until II
was completed. One day Lenore call
ed him into the parlor. The artist
lifted curtain and disclosed the pic.
ture. Mr.. Vardelli uttered an excla-
nation of delight 1t seemed almost
to breathe. 1t was a life size portrait.
She was standing near a window,
which had crimson damask hangings.
Her dress was one of white, which
fell around her in soft feecy folds; she
wore no ornaments save a crimson rose
with its dark green leaves, in the heavy
braids of her black hair. In short, it
was Lenore as he liked best 10 see her,
mot draped in velvet and sparkling
with Jewels, but dressed in her home
dress as he saw her every day.
While he was still admiring it, SER
want handed him Gilbert st. Alban's
card He told the servant to bling Mr..
st. Alban in there. After introducing
him to Howard, Mr.. Vardelh called ST.
Alban's attention to the portrait.
"Did you paint that Mr.. tHoward7"
said the latter.
81 did,"
"Then you are happy man sir, in
possessing such wonderful talent" He
gazed at the portrait long time, much
longer than would have been polite to
look at the original. Clarence watch
ed him narrowly, and seeing the love-
light that shone in St. Adams eyes, he
knew that he had dangerous rival.J
'Miss Lenore," said st Alban, "wilI
you sing that song for me that | adj
mireG so much when was here last!"
"V'ith pleasure, if you desire it."
Mr., Vardelli looked after them with
a pleased smile as they left the room to,
gether Clarence bit his lip and threw
cover over tie portrait. AS he pass
ed the glass door of The conservatory
he saw Lenore looking over book o
engravings which Gilbert St. Albar
had brought her, while he leaned owe,
her to explain some particular one, IN
I'll his dark hair almost brushed he
brow, ,fr,r.gI a,tts IDS
By the St. Abans Lenore was intro
duced to many agreeable acquaintances
The young people were glad of such al
acquisition to their numbers. .
Plcnics and moonlight excursions ol
the river were in vogue-eyerywher
Gilbert ST. Alban was IGNORES attend
ant. Mr.. Vardelli and Colonel st. AL
ban noticed this, and with many nod
aud winks, said nothing could pleas
them better. Clarence Howard wa
always invited, but seldom accompanie,
in the pleasure excursions. The younl
man was strangely gloomy of late, AM
seemed to care little for society, and tn
young ladies wondered why such
handsome young fellow could be so re
tired. The rumor was that an engage
ment existed between Miss Vardelli an
Mr.. ST. Alban, and although he scarcel
believed it, it caused Clarence man
hours OF misery.
He saw little of Lenore now. Al
though invited there by Mr.. Vardelli
he did not go to Pine Hall with tn
freedom he had formerly done.
Mr.. Vardelli had decided to have
large party on the night ofhis daught
er's eighteenth birthday. A grea
many of their friends from the city weT
invited. Clarence Howard also receiv
ed an invitation, and as he was 900
to return to the city, he concluded
accept, although it troubled him t
see another always at her side.
CHAPTER III.