Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-07

studio. He had resumed work, and met
her with petulent complaint: "Where
ON earth have you been, Beey 1 have writ
ten three times for you"
She did not answer Immediately; but
sitting down before the fire and putting
her feet on the fender in her old way, she
turned her head and looked rather sadly
down the long room. 'Lepcl, what
charm is there in this life, 1 wonder9
Who has ever lived in Bohemia that ever
left it without sigh?'
"Yeu don't mean to say that you are
leaving it?' 3t4
Eyes came to say farewell" I shall
never make money or make merry in this
dear old room again. am going to be
married."
ITO Clifforda''
"What an idea No, Sir, to Mr.. Belmar.
I shall order pictures of you now, Lepel,
and patronize you dreadfully."
''Don't pull my prices down, Bee.
That is all / ask" ,...
"But that is exactly what I shall do.
Mr.. Belmar will have a great many ex-
penses with me. 1 shall not let him buy
any more pictures.
She spoke in her old saucy way, bal
ancing her muff first in one hand and then
on the other: but in spite of her jesting
way, Lepel saw that she was in earnest
about her marriage. He said a few low
words of congratulatlon, and went busily
on with his work. Bee felt instantly So
bered. Was he angry with her2 Was he
Jealous of her good fortune, or selfshly
sorry to lose so good model? If Bee
had believed in any of these things, her
tongue would have avenged her, but
some look on the grave, sorrowful face
made her remember the moment when
she had seen Loves confession trembling
on his lips. She rose quietly, said few
words OF gratitude and farewell, and be-
fore Lepel could answer them. she was
gone.
Then Lepel, taking from shelf pair
of small bronze slippers, locked them
carefully away, aud with them locked
away the one love of his life. He worked
harder than usual, worked till the room
was cold and dark, then throwing down
his pencil, he made his only complaint
on the subj ect: II don't blame her; she
never knew; I hardly knew myself.
Well, well, life is full of might have
beens.'"
Again the January snow is in the brisk
cold air, and Lepel's cheerful studio has
its old look of earnest labor. He is be-
fore his easel, but he is not working with
his usual serious attention. The reason
lies on the table beside him in the
shape OF note of invitation to dinner at
Mr.. Belmar's. A year has passed since
he saw Bee, and he is not at all in love
now, but still she possesses greater in
terest for him than any other woman. He
wonders how she will look, and what she
will say, and whether he ought not to
buy new evening salt for the occasion.
Also there is d1mly present pleasant
expectation of orders, for Lepel is never
oblivious to such profitable contingent
cies.
Still, If he had one selfish thought, he
forgot it in the nobler feelings when he
saw Bee again that night. Standing in
his quiet recess, he watched the beautiful
woman, serene in temper, elegant in
manners, and exquisitelv clothed, guide
the whole entertainment charmingly to
its end. Her husband-stlll her lover
trusted absolutely in her, and his sister
watched her with pride that was almost
motherly; 1t was evident she was to be
woman of great domestic and social in
fluence.
Lepel sat long that night over his stu
do fire thinking about her. Chow often
l have scolded her in this very room how
often she has said Thank YOU for two
dollar bill right here on this hearth-rug!
and yet how cleverly she made me feeb
without shade of pride or unkindness,
that she was now Mrs. Belmar! Belmar
has got model wife, And Lepel smiled
grimly at the only pun he had ever made.
Now no man could slip into a position
like that and fit it SO txquisitely; but
women puzzle me more and more every
year-especially American women
H0rper'S WeekZu.