The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-02-20
Select Story.
MARK BILLIONS BOLD GAME.
atlantic

Il am getting into terribly bad habits,
Dora. Breakfast at halfpast nine Just
fancy my ndulging in such hours three
yeats ago, darling, before the world made
up its mind that | painted respectable pic
lures, and chose to pay me accordingly.
And young Melville Austin rose from the
dantily.spread table at which he and his
wife were sitting.
4 hope that you re going to remain at
home this morning, Dora said, in a soft,
ceaxing tone. that well became her petite
figure and blonde haired, grlish beauty.
DO you know, Austin, that you have not
painted an atom of canvas this week? There
your new picture of Anthony and Cleopa-
ira
Yes, my love- the young artist interrupt
ed, 4 plead guilty to having shamefully
neglected Anthony and Cleopatra but this
mornings engagement will not occupy much
time, and | shall be home in an hour, | trust
ready to begin work In the meantime,
Dora, if that model of whom | was speak
ing should make her appearance, just ask
her to wait in the studio
Il am anxious to see this divinity, Mel
vile. Is she so very beautiful :?
After certain type, yes the husband
answered, carelessly. Then, while his hand
some face lit up with sudden brightness,
he added, in lower tones You know there
is but one woman in the world, Dora, ,swhose
beauty can thoroughly satisfy me-
For some time after her husbands de-
parture that morning, Dora Austin remain
ed 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 50 blessed| she muir
INJURED presently, as if asking the question
of her own heart. Three years tomorrow
since we were married, and still the SAINT
devoted love from dear Melville. How
foolish was ever to dream that his worldly
successes would cool the ardor of tha
love Nothing can ever change him-noth
ing
The young woman has called maam, ant
is now waiting outside. Shall | show hel
into Mr. Austin's studio?
Dora's medtatiuns had been abruptly
broken by the voice of the stately butler ,whC
stood at her elbow
'Oh you mean Mr. Austin's model sh'
said little confusedly. Yes, James, / be
lieve your master wishes her to wait in tn,
studio til, his return. BY the way, jane
you may manage to let her pass through thi
room. | wish to see her.
The man bowed and departed to execut
Mrs. Austn's ORDER returning presently, fol
lowed by a poorly clad woman, of whose fac
Dora merely caught a momentary glimps
as she hurried towards the adjoining stu
dio.
How beautiful " the young wife murmur
ed and what face for Cleopatra. Sh
seemed anxious 10 escs pc my notice, poo
woman | wonder if she is ashamed of he
vocation? You told her, james. did yo
not-addressing the butler, who returned a
this moment-'that Mr.. Austin would re
turn very shortly?'
Yes, ma'am.'
James was not absent from the breakfas
room five minutes before he again made hi
appearance there. A rather shabby ma
desired to see Mrs, Austin. Should he at
nit him?
But the ceremonious huter had scarcel
finished speaking when gruf voice sounC
ed from the entrance of the room.
A rough-ooking heavily bearded ma
was standing on the thrdshhold, directly Of