The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-04-30
To A VERY OLD WOMAN.
MARK DILLOS's BOLD GAME.

Dora. Breakfast at half past nine Jus
fancy my 1ndulging in sHch hours thre.
years ago, darling, before the world
made mp its mind that painted respect
able pictures, and chose to pay me ac
eordingly."
And young Melville Austin rose from
the -daintily-spread breakfast table al
WHICH he and his wife were sitting.
hope you are going to remain at
home this morning, Dora said, in soft,
coaxing tone, thatwsH become her petite
figure and blonde-haired, eirlish beauty.
Do yOu know, Austin, that you have
not painted ga atom of canvas this
week? There's your new picture of An
thony and CLEOPATRA"
eyes, my love, the young artist in
terrupted, 81 plead guilty to have
shamefully neglected Anthony and Cleo
patra but this mornings engagement
will not occupy much time, and I shall
be home in an hour, 1 trust. ready to be-
gin work. In the meanwhile, Dora. if
that model of whom was speaking
should make her appearance, Just ask
her to wait in the studio"
am anxious to see this divinity.
Melville. Is che so very beautiful ?"
After certain type, yes" the hus-
= band answered, carelessly. Then, while
his handsome face lit up with sudden
brightness, he added, in lower zones,
You know there ia but one woman in
the world, Dora, whose beauty can
thoroughly satisfy me-"
For some time after her husbands de-
parture that morning, Dora Austin re-
manned buried in what, judging from
the happy smile that played about her
mouth, and danced in the blue depths
of her tender eyes, must have been
thoroughly agreeable thoughts.
% Was ever woman so blessed p" she
murmured presently, as if asking the
question of her own heart. "'Three
years tomorrow since we were married.
and still the same devoted love from
dear Melville. How foolish was ever
TO dream that this worldly success
would cool the ardor of that love
Nothing can ever change him-noth-
ing!"
"The young woman has called
maiam, and is now waiting outside.
Shall ] show her into MIR. Austin's
studio ?"
Dora's meditation had been abruptly
broken by the voice Of the stately but
Oh you mean Mr.. Austin's model?"
she said a little confusedly. "Ies.
James, / believe Your master wishes her
to wait in the studio till his return. By
the way, James, you may manage to let
her pass through this room. wish to
see her."
The man bowed, and departed to exc.
cute Mr.. Austin's order, returning pres.
emily, followed by poorIy-clad woman,
OF whose face Dora merely caught a
momentary glimpse as she hurried to- |
ward the adjoining studio.
"How beautiful I" the young wife |
murmured "and what face for Cleo
patra She seemed anxious to escape
my notice, poor womanl I wonder If |
she is ashamed of her vocation? You
told her, James. did you not "-ad-
dressing the butler, who returned at
this moment" that Mr.. Austin would
return very shortly ?"
Yes, ma'am."
James was not absent from the break |
last room five minutes before ne again |
made his appearance there. A rather |
shabby man desired to see Mrs. Austin. |
he admit him?
But the ceremonious butler had |
scarcely finished speaking when a gruff |
voice sounded from the entrance of the |
room.
A rough-loOking, heavily-bearded
man was standing on the threshold,
directly opposite to Dora, who was
seated near one of the windows.
"You may go, my good fellow, the
man said. " I've particular business
with Mrs. Austin.
mes-you-may-go.
The words were gasped forth some
how from DOra's white lips. If the
servant observed the agitation which
had suddenly overpowered his mistress.
he was too well trained to manifest the
least surprise, and quietly withdrew
from the room, closing the door after
him.
Oh heaven is it you, Mark Dillon d?
1 thought You dead-I-"
She had risen while speaking the
above words, but the hoarse whisper in
which she uttered them died to silence
before she had finished, and Dora
Austin fell heavily forward in a dead
swOOn at the strangers feet.
The sound of her fall was quickly
followed by that of an opening door at
the further end of the room, as Mr.,
Austln model, wearing startled look
ON her beautiful face, hurried in from
the adjoining studio. But the strang-
er's back was turned to her as he bent
over the prostrate figure of Dora.
Nor was he aware of the woman's
presence in the apartment until she
touched him lightly on the sboulder
and in a rather timid voice, said. "Is
he lady i'll, sir? 1 was in the next
room, and heard. Heavens. Mark
you here ?"
ELLEN - The man had suddenly
turned his face toward the speaker.
while still stopping over Mrs. Austin's
body. "Oh, recollect," he
continued, sternly; "you told me that
you went out as a model, and this
husband is an artist. That
accounts, perhaps, for you being here.
md you may thank your stars for hav-
ng so good an excuse. If / Thought
7ou had followed me-"
The angry flash of his dark ewes fin
shed the sentence more powerfully
Than words could have done.
trembling in every limb, the woman
answered, pleadingly: 81 had DO
ihought of following you, Mark. I
never imagined that you knew this lady.
-"
Leave thus house instantly, Ellen
Don't hesitate a moment, but go at
nee"
The womsn shuddered, and turned
toward the door leading into the
studio.
may explain this matter to you
'ome other time" the man continued,
- hut remember, l warn you against
,emaining in this house q moment
onger than you can help"
I When the studio door had closed be- II
lind the woman's retreating steps, Mark
Dillon once more bent over the white
ace OF Dora Austin. A faint shiver
her frame st this moment,
md while his gaze was eagerly fastened
Ipon her countenance, the silken lashes ]