The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-11-05

work. Inc circle is very seiecI, nave
invited only Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding, the
great Josiah, Miss Blagden and Jim. /
contrive, with a diplomatic cunning for
which have not before given myself
credit, that Nelly Spalding shall be ed
mitted to private view. She herself
has been all anxiety to see the picture,
aud pretend that by a great favor she
shall see it before any one else.
Here at last. They troop upstairs
into the large room where luncheon
is spread. Mr.. Josiah is looking very
large to-day. There is an air of jubi-
liant triumph about him as he bustles
about Nelly, assisting her in taking off
her wraps and saying "nothings" which
are anything but "soft," as the great
man expresses them. To me, his air is
simply patronizing. Mrs. Spalding is
gracious US usual, and Mr.. Spalding
seems to regard the near prospect of
lunch with more evident satisfaction
than he does the prospect of an artistic
treat. Mr.. Blagden suggests we had
better step in to see the picture-lunch
has evidently it's attractions for {" the
great Josiah I tell him I wait DR..
Brooke, at which announcement he
subsidies. Then I suggest to Miss Nelly
that, with her mothers permission, she
may have the picture all to herself for a
momentary peep. Mrs. Spalding, who
is deep with Miss Blagden in the mys-
teries of the manufacture OF rhubarb
jam, readily consents.
Nelly follows me into the room
where my picture stands covered with a
crimson cloth on my easel. I close
the door and unveil it. Nelly glances
at it for moment; then growing deadly
pale sinks half-fainting-not into my
arms, but into those Of DR.. James
Brooke, who has most opportunely
come upon the scene. In speechless
astonishment he gazes at me, but he,
too, seems as if he was going to repeat
Nelly's procedure as he glances at the
picture. "For heayen's sake, Regy,"
says Jim in hoarse voice, "cover that
picture up"
Nelly opened her eyes in moment
or two, which seemed to me like an age.
Jim had employed the interval in o
fashion not unfamiliar to lovers, I be-
lieve. And when she did open her
eyes it was to clasp Jim round the neck,
and her words were few but decided !:
"Jim, dear! can never, never marry
that man! Twill do what you wish me
to. But oh they have tried me so!
What is it in my picture that has so
perturbed the lovers and brought Nelly
Spalding to hersenses? Simply the in
terror of the old church again. A ray
of sunlight streaming through chink
in the stained window falls on the sad,
pale, fearful face of newly made bride.
The brides face is Nelly's own; and the
pompous bridegroom is Josiah Blagden,
the artistic treatment of whose white
waistcoat and chain has cost me no end
of pains. Behind bride and bridegroom
come the figures of Mr.. and Mrs.
Spslding and in the dim distance the
vicar is seen still standing within the
altar rails. But the central Ggure after
the bride herself is the young man,
pale, motjonless as statue, who stands
in pew, and whose ashy gaze is fixed
on the bride. The face OF the man in
the pew is that of James Brooke. The
picture tells its own story to Nelly
Spalding. It places the possibility OF
the future before her eyes as she has
never dared to picture it to herself. It
reflects in all its naked truth the fate
to which through hel indecision she may
commit herself and Jim. And it tells
it's story so we'll that art conquers di-
plomacy in decision, and aids love in its
triumph over the great Josiah himself.
Footsteps on the stairs. I cover the
picture again. Nelly stands beside Dr..
Brooke; her cheek is pale, and there
are tears like dewdrops glistening IN
her eyes. The iron master looms in
the doorway. He takes in the matter
at a glance, and froWns darkly at Jim
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