The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-11

practiced upon her? As to persuading
Jacques to consent TO any arrangement
for keeping up the deception, that was
out of the question; where his art was
concerned the painter would prove as
as a balky horse. So Eugene was puz-
zled.
Finally bright idea occurred to him.
"Why not" thought he, "give comic
turn to the affair. If properly done
Leonie will be disarmed. She is easily
moved to laughter, and then I will ex-
plain and beg her forgiveness.
Alas! Poor Eugene's idea was not
happy one.
The next day when Leonie appeared it
was Jacques who met her at the door.
He was in blouse, cap, and carried pal
cite and brushes.
"Can see M. Bruhiere ?" she asked,
with some little surprise.
'"That is my name, madame" replied
the painter.
"You jacques Bruhierer' said she with
an amused laugh, and she pushed by
him and entered the studio. "You the
great painter? No, mol" and she seated
herself and looked a. him defiantly.
But if she was at ease in the studio, he
was more so. Her quick, woman's eye
noted this, and on the easel there was al
ready begun q canvas in which she
recognized the masters touch. Ueonie
was becoming ill at ease. She picked up
a little Hindoo god which stood on the
table beside her, and fingered 1t nervous
ly. Her hands trembled, the little mon
ster slipped from them and dashed to
pieces on the floor. The artist stepped
to the wall and rang the bell. The door
opened and a servant entered, clad in
livery and wearing an apron, rendered
necessary by the fact of his cleaning
brushes.
'Did monsieur ring?" he asked.
"Yes, JEAN" replied the artist.
"Gather up the fragments of this trihe,
which madame has unfortunately
broken. Now" said. he, turning to
Leonie, ''if madame will kindly inform
me to what owe the honor of this
Wis"
He stopped. Her white, set face, her
starry eyes frightened him.
"a lackey!" she Kissed; "a base lackey
And 1 have loved this heartless, cruel,
lying wretch!'
With sudden impulse of fury she
snatched up pretty toy, a silver pom
lard. which lay upon the table and
sprang at Eugene. Quick as flash the
artist dashed between them. But quick
as he was he was too late. The poniard
struck Eugene in the side. inflicting a
deep wound. AS she did so, Leonie ut
tered shrek and tainted away.
Eugenes comedy had become a
tragedy.
Truly, pretty sight for the studio Of
an honest, Woodworking painter" groan-
ed Jacques Bruhiere, as he gazed upon
the two PROSTATE forms. This comes of
obliging your friends. Catch me doing
it again"
Three years had passed. Leonie was
in the brilliant salon Of the Countess de
Sagone, whose house was always filled
with the literary men of the day, and she
invariably secured the literary lion. She
was making her way through the bril-
liant throng towards Leonie.
"My DEAR" said she when she reached
her, "you have read that novel of which
all Paris is talking-'Les Deux Prin
cesses?"
EYES," said Leonie, sit is charming
work"
"Do you know its author?"
Eugene de Lassi? No. Is he here
this evening?
Eyes; and I want to present him to
you. All, there he is. Monsieur de
Lassi! and in another moment there
stood before Leonie-the false painter.
For moment she hesitated, but the
old spell reasserted itself, and she found
herself listening, almost against her
will, to his pleas for pardon. And he
pleaded his cause most eloquently.
II am half inclined not to forgive
you," she said at length. "You acted
abominably, you know you did"
81 acted like fool and a knave," said
Eugene, land you ought never to par
don me, but You will, won't you?"
"Well," said the beauty, semi-reluc-
family, elf you'll be very good boy"
Eyes"
Sand never deceive me again"
"Never."
"And never paint any moro such
wretched trees"
"Never."
"'Then forgive you for having played
the servant"
"But I want to play it again.
She looked at him inquiringly.
II want to be your servant forever"
In three weeks they were married.
- - <.ks v~0x khnxx