The Red Cloud chief., 1878-03-07
A YOUNG LADY'S PORTRAIT.
SHIRLEY BROWNE.

fashionable style, over her forehead, sat
on the hearth-rug, tapping her foot i'm
patiently over its purple pile, and twist
ing "A rosebud around her forefinger.
Mrs. Fenwick was embroidering at the
window-afair-visaged and complacent
matron, with the square chin and reso-
lutte eye that denote what people call
"a will of ones own"
Mamma" said Lila, Indignantly,
81 would never have had that picture
painted if | had thought it was for
him, lOu have treated me unfairly,
The idea of giving ones portrait to a
a who is no relative at ALI"
MY love-" said Mrs. Fenwick per-
suasively, Colonel Nyam has always
taken the kindest interest in YOU"
Il don't thank him for it's
''Hc is very rich, and he hasn't a bad
habit in the world,' went on Mrs. Fen
wick.
Lila tossed her head.
His habits are nothing to me-" she
retortcd.
.'Lillar'
Mamma" said the girl. coloring up,
1--WE may as well have a fair under
standing. don't like cropping i'm the
dark; or talking i'm riddles. You want
me TO marry Colonel Nyam-but | shall
not"
land why not; may | ask?r
Mrs. Fenwick was evidently strug-
CLING to preserve her equanimity.
First and foremost, because don't
father
Lila" said Mrs. Fenwick, lido YOU
know how many other girls there are.
in New York, who would be delighted
Ia have such an opportunity as you are
flinging away"
mo, mamma" the girl answered, in
differently. ''And | don't think | care;
but of II thing you may be certain Il
will ley marry Howard Nyam!'
Mrs. Fenwick looked after her lovely
daughter as the young girl walked out
of the room.
'.You will marry Howard Nyam," she
said to herself, ''Or | win know the rea-
son why"
And she set herself to work, ponder
ing what could possibly have inspired
Lila with such aversion to the rich Cal
ifornian whose addresses were SO ac-
ceptable i'm a worldly point of view.
While Lila fastened on her dark blue
velvet hat with its snowy ostrich plume,
dressed after the orthodox promenade
costume, and went straight to the stu
do of Mr.. Valentine Clyde, in Mildew
Square.
Il was a quaint. picturesque sort of
place, with walls draped in ruby velvet,
very ancieEt cabinets of shining carved
woods, portfolios of expensive prints
and engravings, and lay-figures twisted
into all sorts of prepOsterOus positions,
while, from a frosted glass window high
up on the north side. a tide of chill
white radiance poured down like vivid
moonlight.
In the middle of the room was an
easel, and before the easel a slender,
dark-mustached young man was stand
ing with folded arms. His face bright
ened into welcoming smiles as the at
tendant flung open the door, announcing
"A lady to see Mr.. Clyde"
Mr.. Clyde drew forward an easy
chair.
Miss Fenwickr' cried he, this is
indeed, an agreeable surprise! l was
Just taking a last look at your picture
before il is sent home"
Lila sat down with the royal grace of
young queen, and put up a jewelled
eye-glass to her pretty, near-sighted
eyes.
as it finished?"
Quite"
"And-eXcuse me-paid fOr?"
Mr.. Clyde redeemed a little,
Your father has just now sent me a
check, Miss Fenwick."
OH said Lila, CHANGING around.
Would you kindly lend nj a penknife,
or a pair of scissors?"
MIR. Clyde, much wondering, pro-
duced a little pearl-handled knife from
the recesses of his vest pocket. Lila
began to play with it in an absent sort
of way.
do you like the picture?" said Mr..
Clyde.
ut is a beautiful painting" said Lii
la, land a correct likeness"
And then she opened the keen blade
of the knife, and calmly cut the canvas
from one side to the other!
Miss Fenwickr' cried the young
artist, aghast.
ID you think | am crazy?' said Lii
la, smiling. but l am not The picture
is excellent-yOu have made it perfect.
But / do not wish that it should 90 out
of this studio"
Valentine Clyde bit his lips. Miss Fen
wick should learn that she was not the
only person in the world that could do
insane things. Drawing her fathers
check from his desk drawer he deliber-
ately tore it into slips.
''Therer' he said. IF the work of
art is destroyed it merits no compen-
Sation."
Lila burst into tears.
'.Mr. Clyde" she said, '.you are un-
kind. YOu-you do not know all"
Il know one thing" said Valentine.
falling IN his knees in front of the big
chair and its beautiful occupant. Il
love you, Miss Fenwick. DO you sup
pose l could study your face all these
weeks and yet keep myself heart-whole?
For Gods sake, Miss Fenwick, do not
keep me in SUSPENSE
Il will not" said Lila. smiling thro'
her tears. II have spoiled your picture, |
Mr.. Clyde; will you accept the original
in its place."
And the dim old studio, with its wine
red draperies and white rain of light |
became the radiant temple of Love, it.
self, as Valentine and Lila sat there,
talking the sweet nonsense that so ma
ny lovers have talked in the years that
are past.
Engaged to an artist"' said Mrs.
Fenwick. scarcely able to credit the ev-
I@n~ L. 100000 /