The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-05-19

VIVID Weaiy anu Noulu CUile The neX1
day. And she wonld 60, leaving
Eugene de Lassi deeper in love than
ever.
As for him, he was in dream
He had retired from the world. Al
his own quarters his door was daily
siormed by publishers, by man.
ayers, by printers boys, by
creditors and by friends. But nc
ore knew where he had gone. He
had told his servants he was going
away, but had not told them where
1t was wrong, decidedly wrong; but
he took certain ferocious joy in il
when he thought how he himself
had once pursued these same officers
and managers.
Eugene had at lastdiscovered tha
his inamorata was a widow, wealthy
and of good family. Her full name
was Leonie de Nores. He had
never told his love, but that she was
blind to it was impossible. Yet she
was certainly blind to his painting,
for she expressed her admiration of
it with an enthusiasm that made
Eugene vince. But one day, when
he was as usual, attempting to trans
fer her to CANVASS, particularly
atrocious tree which he had intro
duced in the background attracted
her attention.
"Jacques." said she, adon't you
think that you are-that you are
well, that you're losing a little of
your skill?"
"What!" shouted Eugene.
II mean--that is-Pm afraid that
I keep you SO much from your work
that" !. Es
"I only hope that you may. keep
me from it forever returned the
amorous Eugene. And SO the dan
gerous moment passed. %
y
But this state of affairs could not
last forever. One fine day, as Eu-
gene was seated upon divant think
ing of his lady-love, who had just
departed, who should enter but
Jacques Bruhiere. Yes, there he
was, with his attendant carving
his umbrella, his sketch books,
his camp-stools, his baggage-a
true artist just from the country.
The false one trembled as he
thought that his dream was over.
Had he been Borgia he would have
slain his friend. AS he was not he
pressed his hand warmly, and bade
him welcome.
But how could he extricate him
self from his dilemma? How could
he answer to high-spirited woman
for the deception heyhad 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 deaf as post, and as un-
manageable as balky horse. So
Eugene was puzzled. s
Finally bright idea occurred to
him. "Why not, thought he, "givs
a comic turn to the affair? Ifprop-
erly done, Leonie will be disarmed.
She is easily moved to laughter, and
then win explain and beg her for
giveness,"
Poor Eegene's idea was
not happy one.
The next day when Leonie ap-
peared, it was Jacques who met her
at the door. He was in blouse. cap,
and carried palette and brushes.
"Can I see Mons. BruhiereY she
asked, with some little surprise.
THAT is my my name, madame" "
replied the painter. ~
"You Jacques Bruheire" said she,
with an amused laugh, and she
pushed by him and entered the
studio. "You the great painter.
No, nor and she seated herself and
looked at him defiantly. @
But if she was at ease in the
studio, he was more so. Her quick
wnman's eye noted this, and on the
easle there was already begun a
canvass in which she recognized the
masters touch. Leonie was becom-
ing ill at ease. She picked up a
little Hindoo god which stood on
on the table beside her, and finger
ed it Lervously. Her hands tren-
bled, the little monster slipped from
them and dashed to pieces on the
floor.
The artist stepped to the wall and
rang the bell. The door opened
and servant entered, clad in livery
and wearing apron, rendered neces-
sary by the fact of his cleaning
brushes.
"Did monster ring?" he asked.
Leonie stared at him and grew
white.
"Yes, Jean," replled the artist.
"Gather up the fragments of this
trife, which madame has unfortu-
nately 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 Missed; "a base
lackey. And 1 haye loved this
heartless, cruel, lying wretch"
With sudden impulse of fury
she snatched up pretty toy a
silver poinard, 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 he did SO Leone
uttered shrek and tainted away.
Eugene's comedy had become a
tradegy.
"Truly a pretty sight for the
studio of an honest, hard working
painter" groaned Jacques Bruhiere
as he gazed upon the two prostratt
forms. "This comes of obligine
your friends, Catch me doing i,
again"
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