River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-03-07
In Peril.

wears ago, darling, before the world made
up its mind that | painted respectable
pictures, and chose to pay me according
~"
And young Melville Austin rose from
the daintily-spread breakfast table at
which he and his wife were sitting.
81 hope you are going to remain at
home tins morning." Dora said, in a soft,
coaxing tone, that well became her petite
fl cure, and klonde-haired, girlish beauty
"Do you know, Austin, that you have
not painted an atom of canvass this week.
There's your new picture of Antony and
Cleopatra
Yes, my Iove,' the young artist inter
rupted, II plead guilty to having neglect
ed Antony and Cleopatra; but this morn
ings engagement will not occupy much
time, and l shall he home in an hour,
trust, ready to begin work. In the mean
time, Dora, if that model ofwhom | was
speaking should make her appearance
Just ask her to wait in the studio
II am anxious to see this divinity,
Melville. Is she very beautiful!"
after certain type, yes, the husband
answered, carelessly. Then, with his
handsome face lit up with sudden
brightness, he added, in lower tones
ssYou know there is but one woman in the
world, Dora, whose beauty can thorough
ly satisfy me-
For sometime after her husbands de
parture that morning, Dora Austin re-
manned buried in what, Judging from
the happy smile that played about heI
mouth. and danced in the blue depths OF
her tender eyes, must have been thor
oughly agreeable thoughts.
"Was ever woman so blessed2' 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 his worldly successes would
cool the ardor of that love! Nothing can
ever change him--nothlngp
1.-THE Young woman has called, ma'am
and is now waiting outside. Shall | show
her into Mr.. Austin's studio!"
Dora's meditations had been abruptly
broken by the voice of the stately butler
who stood at her elbow.
"Ohl you mean Mr.. Austin's modelT
she said, little confusedly. Yes
James, | believe your master wishes hel
to wait in the studio till his return. BY
the way, James, you may manage to lei
her pass through this room. | wish tC
see her."
The man bowed, and departed to exc
cute Mrs Austin's order, returning Prise
emily, followed by poorly woman
of whose face Dora merely caught mo.
mentary glimpse as she hurried toward
the adjoining studio.
"How beautiful |" the young wife muir
muIed 81 and what face for Cleopatra
She seemed anxious to escape my notice
poor wemanl | wonder if she is ashamed
of her vocation2 You told her, James
did YOU Embarrassing the butler, who
returned at this moment" that Mr.
Austin would return very shortly?"
"Yes, ma'am."
James was not absent FIR omthe break
fast-room five minutes before he again
made his appearance there. A rather
shabby man desired to see Mrs. Austin
Should he admit hims
But the ceremonious butler had scarce
ly finished speaking when gruff voice
sounded from the entrance of the room
A rough-looking, heavily bearded mar
was standing on the threshold, directly
opposite to Dora, who was seated neal
of the windows.
''You may go, my good fellow, the
man said. ''I've particular business WITH
Mrs. Austin
"Yes-James- you-may-go
The words were gasped forth somehow
from Doras white lips. If the servant
observed the agitation which had sudden
" overpowered his mistress, he was toe
well trained to manifest the least surprise
and quietly withdrew from the room
closing the door behind him.
ooh, heaven is it you, Mark Dillon
I thought you dead"
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 tel
,, heavily forward in dead swoon at thu
strangers feet.
The sound of her fall was quickly fol
lowed by that OF an opening door a
the further end Of the room, as Mr.
Austins model, wearing startled looi
on her beautiful face, hurried in from tn
adjoining studio. But the stranger
back was turned to her as he bent owe
the PROSTATE inquire Vi JoId-
Nor was he aware of the womans pres
ence in the apartment until she touched
him on the shoulder, and in rather timit
, voice said, rs the lady i'll, SIR | was j
. the next room, and heard Heavens
Mark you here!"
"Ellenr' The man had suddenl.
: turned his face toward the speaker, Will
! still stooping over Mrs Austin's senseles
body. sEOh, I recollect," he continues
sternly you told me that you went on
as model, and this woman's husband
an artist. That accounts, perhaps, TO
S your being here, and you may than
t your stars for having so good an eS
$ cuse. If / thought you had followe
me-
The angry flash of his dark eyes finish
ed the sentence more powerfully tina
words could have done.
Trembling in every limb, the womaa
answered, pleadingly: Il had no though
i of following you, Mark / never imag
: ined that YOU knew this lady. Il
a leave the house instantly, Ellen
Don't hesitate moment, but go at once.
t s.The woman shuddered, and turned te
wards the door leading into the studio
e 81 may explain this matter TO you som
$ other time, the man continued; but rt
T member, | warn you against Temalnin
in this house moment longer than 20
can help"
when the studio door had closed b
: hind the womans retreating steps, Mar