The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-11-13

seemed to find none among the group to
suit her, and she started to 60. As she
turned, their glances met. Arthur and
Alma were face to face. Her eyes we're
sadder than ever, and her garb was
weeds of mourning.
"Arthur l' she exclaimed, in sur
prise, holding out her white, slender
hand.
The blood receded from his face and
left it white as marble. The old life and
the old pain surged back. He took the
the hand she extended, and said in a
cold, cruel voice
e" Mrs. Russell, am glad to meet you
here. In search of model, too ?"
EYES," she said in q voice which had
n perceptible quiver "but have found
none to suit my purpose. am going
now to the Piazzi diSpagna. Won't
you join me, and tell mo how you are
and how you have been ?"
He walked beside her as she started
off, saying
"Thanks. AS to how am now-well
how have been--I have forgotten"
She felt the little thrust but it was
easy for her woman's wit to parry it by
saying with her old pajUete OF manner
"Well, you see the influence of your
taste has had its influence on me. i
have turned artist myself"
You did not have to turn artist; you
were always one by nature"
She saw clearly enough that the steel
was still in this mans soul. She had
placed it there, and she resolved to
pluck it out at once.
"But you never told me / was an
artist"
"I never knew till"-
"Nor did l know it myself" said she,
interrupting him, "till Mr.. Russell's
death two years ago, when 1 was left
almost without means or resources of
any kind"
She paused; but the announcement OF
the death of the man who had robbed
Arthur Leroy of his bride drew no COM
ment from his set lips. She had long
ago taught him to endure surprises in
silence.
"Then 1 came here to study; to learn,
il can, the dream-toil of an artists
life."
"In which calling you have my best
wishes for your success, and my services
always at your command" he said, with
unfeigned sincerity.
"Your good wishes, Arthur, are CRATE
full to me, and shall be only too g to
avail myself of your valuable sugges-
tions, Tiff l may only know that am
forgiven"
"You are forgiven. But I do not
forget. Everything which 1 put into
your room is there yet untouched. From
that day to this hour the doors have
been locked; the long curtains at the
windows are drawn down, the blinds are
closed, and a deep shadow rests upon
all within. So the doors, and windows,
and curtains are closed about the memo
ry in my heart The shadow rested
there also long time. But tomorrow
it will be lifted. The Beatrice brought
with me. 1 put it above my door here
in Rome as an emblem of the guard
which you had taught me to set upon
, my heart. At last have found one
pair of eyes more luminous among the
shadows than are those of Beatrice OF
| Psyche. On tomorrow the picture
above my door and the guard above my
heart will be taken down and the light
of the new eyes will enter in"
{ She was in doubt as to his meaning
Was he purposely obscure? Was he
talking of the old loveP She took il
? for granteu.
4 "God bless you, Arthur" she said
81 do not deserve as much as you ac
/ cord ?"
r "For the old loves sake, for th,
{ grand and beautiful Alma -
8 She started as he called her name. H,
r had not done so before. She laid he
| hand upon his arm, and said in a low
| ouh hnI 1Nyitb oyau
s "Arthdr |"
= "Wait moment, please, he presumed
}. for the sake of Alma which 1OaS, he
shall never be opened while live. Sh
s cast The shadow upon it; shall neve
lift it, Tomorrow / shall be marie,
Y to Miss Bruce. She is an artist too.
!. The hand upon his arm trembled, an,
the queenly woman at his side greV
q deadly pale, and swayed slightly for
d ward as they walked. He drew the han
more securely through his arm and add
Y ed: "Will you pause at the di Spagna
It or shall see you to your hotel ?"
"We will go on, if you please. Thank
+. for your kindness"
h Then, after a pause, she said: "Yo
have been frank and just, Arthur. Th
d tenderest are the cruelest. don't kno'
Is how it is, but we have both proved il
% May God forgive us both, and bless 20
1 always" "
Five years have rolled the dusty wheel
W over that sad day when Arthur and Aim
ID met and parted in Rome.
10 He is with his wife in Scotland. Sh
ID has become famous and rich, and is bac
at her old home. Often when the day
OF are fair, tall, queenly woman is drive
IL slowly through a certain street, an
or from her open phaeton looks up curious
IN ly, reverently, tenderly to the window
of Of house which have not been opene
le for ten years. TIE blinds are covere
with dust. The curtains, and all I'll