The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-09
MARK DILLON,S BOLD GAME.

I'm getting into terribly bad habits,
Dora. Breakfast at half-past nine Just
fancy my indulging in such hours three
years ago, darling, before the world made
up its mind that l painted respectable
pictures, and chose to pay me accord
ingly."
And young Melville Austin rose from
the daintly-spread breakfast table at
which he and his wife were sitting.
Sc hope you are going to remain at
home this morning" Dora said, in soft,
coaxing tone, that well become her petite
figure and blonde-haired, girlish beauty
do you know, Austin, that you have
not painted an atom of canvas this week (!
There's your new picture of Anthony and
cleopatra"
"Yes, my love-" the young artist in
terrupted, q plead guilty to have
shamefully neglected Anthony and Cleo
patra but this mornings engagement
will not occupy much time, and shall
be home in an hour, / trust, ready to be-
gin work. Ia 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 she so Ue7Y beautiful p
g. After certain, type, yes, the hus-
band answered, carelessly. Then, while
his handsome face lit up with a sudden
brightness, he added, in lower tones,
You know there is but one woman in
the world, Dora, whose beauty can
thoroughly satisfy me-"
For some time after her husbands de-
hot A
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 thor
oughly agreeable thoughts.
"Was ever woman SO blessed ?" 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 l was ever to
dredm that his worldly success would
cool the ardor of that love Nothing can
ever change him-nothing %
"The young woman has called ma am,
and is now waiting outside Shall show
her into Mr.. Austin's studio ?"
Dora's meditation had been abruptly
broken by the voice of the stately butler
who stood at her elbow.
ooh you mean Mr.. Austin model 2"
she said a little confusedly. eyes,
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 poorly-clad woman,
of whose face Dora merely caught a
momentary glimpse as she hurried toward
the adjoining studio.
/" How beautiful !" the young wife
murmured; land what a face for Cleo
patra She seemed anxious to escape
my notice, poor woman / wonder if
she is ashamed of her vocation! You
told her, James, did You not address,
ing the butler, who returned at this
moment" that Mr. Austin would return
very shortly p
Yes, ma am.
James was not absent from the break
fast room five minutes before he again
made his appearance there. A rather
shabby man desired to see Mrs. Austin
Should he admit him
But the ceremonious butler had
scarcely finished speaking when 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 somehow
from Doras white lips. If the servant
observed the agitation which had sud
denly overpowered his mistress, he was
too well trained to manifest the least sur
prise, and quietly Withdrew from the
room, closing the door after him.
Oh heaven is it you, Mark Dillon
L 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 dead swoon at the
strangers feet.
The sound of her fall was quickly fol-