The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-01-31
A STRANGE SECRET.
BY KARL DRURY.

BY KARL DRURY.
/ was an only child, and when my father
died found myself, at the age of twenty.
four, possessed Of a very generous fortune
My tastes were of rather scholarly turn
and differed from most of the young men
with whom society threw me in contact.
From earliest youth had decided taste
for art, and perhaps would have developed
my talents in that direction ifpoverty had
given me the necessary stimulus. As it was
became a collector, visitor Of picture-gal-
leries, buyer and connossieur of paintings.
One evening, at a reception which wa:
principally attended by artists wiyes, was
presented to little yellow, withered-look-
ing old lady, whose conversation especially
interested me. Her name was Mrs. Van
Boskirk, and she was rcputed to be immens-
ly rich.
She had a sarcastic, unsparing tongue
but she talked of painting in way which
showed that her intellect was well above the
common. She told Inc that she had small
collection OF pictures at home, but one which
she considered notceably choice, and asked
me to visit her and inspect it.
went on the following day, and passed Q
very enjoyable two hours. Mrs. Van Bos
kinks house was rather plainly and meager-
ly appointed. There was an air of prim
frugality everywhere. Her pictures were
the only redeeming feature of the establish
ment. While we were examining these, 9
young girl, of perhaps sixteen years old, en-.
tered the apartment. The old lady present
cd me to her, and learned that she wa:
Mrs. Van Boskirk's granddaughter, and thai
her name was Juliana Pryce.
Miss Juliana by no means pleased me
Her manners were pert and saucy, and hei
face wore an expression which was not at al
due to its unattractive features, giving one
an idea that she had a shrewish, domineer.
ing temper. But Mrs. Van Boskirk seemed
inordinately fond of her.
Here is a picture" presently said my
hostess, (Which consider the best that my
grandson, Ralph Van Boskirk, has yet paint
ed. 1t is only the study of woman's head
you see, and yet what grace and delicaoy i
exhibits. Ralph has not yet made his way
as painter. But think his ultimate sue
cess is certain"
THE picture shows great power" said
"and the young girls face strikes me as ex
quisite."
"Pshaw |" exclaimed Juliana Pryce, a
this point, "Eveleen isn't as pretty as that =
I'm not sure that you are right" said th,
girls grandmother. "The head" she wen
on, turning to me, ais a portrait Of Ralph
sister. They both live with me. hav,
three grandchildren under my roof at pres
ent."
Then she added, with a grim, character
istic laugh:
"They are waiting to step into my shoe
when am dead and gone"
"Oh, grandmother" cried Juliana, "yol
ought To be ashamed /"
Well, they won't have to wait mucl
longer" declared the old lady, with anothe
laugh. "My doctor told me only the othe
day that was doomed not 10 live anothc
year. have heart trouble that must carr,
me of soon. But To talk Of pleasanter things
Mr.. Averill, would you like to 60 up stair
into Ralph's studiog"
=" Yes" / answered at would give m,
much pleasure TO do So"
ave shall probably find him painting
with his sister, Eyeleen, seated beside him,
Mrs. Van Boskirk said, as we went up stairs
81 never saw such devotion between any
sister and brother as exists between thos,
two. II is a remarkable case Of attachment
My son James, who was Ralph's father, liyet
in San Francisco years before his death
Young Ralph came on here,an was partial
ly adopted by me. But about two year sine,
he went back TO California aud brought hi
only sister East with him. was very gla,
Of such an addition 10 my household, as sh,
is most meek, loyable creature"
"Well, / hardly agree with you there
proclaimed Juliana.
" Tut, tut, my dear I" observed her grand
parent. "You don't appreciate your cousin
wish you had her lovely manners. hav,
spoiled you, am afraid, since you came /,
me little motherless babe"
We presently entered the studio Of Ralpl
Van Boskirk. Brother and sister were seat
cd together. They both rose as we crossed
the threshold, and they both impressed m'
most agreeably.
Ralph was a dark, handsome, stalwar
fellow Of about my own age. Eyeleen wa
a slender, brown-haiTed creature, with ,
womanly fascination in her blue, starry eyes
and in the sensitive curves Of her soft fac,
that had by no means been idealized By he
artist-brother.
Our visit lasted quite a long time. and
left the sindio in bowitched frame Of mind
Eyeleen Van Boskirk had completely charm
ed me. That night the music OF her yoio
haunted my dreams, aud the light Of be
eyes brghtened them.
Ralph had asked me 10 drop into his siudi
whenever ehose, and during the next fe'
weeks most decidedly took the young arti,
al his word.
Eveleen vas always thers, ,scntlo .amiabl,
irFosisiibly winning. / pretended that