The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-06-02

Leonie de Nores. He had never told
his love, but that she was blind to il
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 transfer her to canvas, a particularly
atrocious tree which he had introduced
in the background attracted her atten.
ton.
Jacques" said she, "don't you think
that you are-that you are-well, that
you're losing little Of your skill"
"What!" shouted Eugene.
III mean-that is-I'm afraid that
keep you so much from your work
that" .......
| II only hope that you may keep me
from it forever" returned the amorous
Eugene. And so the dangerous mo.
ment passed.
But this state of of affairs could not
last forever. One fine day, as Eugene
was seated upon divan thinking of his
lady-love, who had just departed, who
should enter but Jacques Bruhiere.
Yes, there he was, with his attendant
carrying his umbrella, his sketch-books,
his camp-stools, his baggage-a true
artist ju.t from the country. The
false one trembled as he thought that
his dream was over. Had he been a
Borgia he would have slain his friend.
AS he was not, he pressed his hand
warmly, and babe him welcome.
But how could he extricate himself
from his dilemma? How could he
answer to q high-spirited woman for
the deception he had prauticed upon
her? AS to persuading Jacques to con-
sent 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 a
post and as unmanageable as balky
horse. So Eugene was puzzled.
Finally bright idea occurred to
him. "Why, not" thought he, give
a comic turn to the affair If properly
done, Leonie will be disarmed. She is
easily moved to laughter, and then I'll
explain and beg her forgiveness"
Alas Poor Eugene's idea was not
a happy one. -.
The next day when Leonie appeared.
it was Jacques who met her at the door.
He was in blouse, cap, and carried
palette and brushes.
"Can | see Mons. Bruhiere ?" she
asked, with some little surprise.
"That is my name, madame" replied
the painter.
"You Jacques Bruhiere!" said she,
with III amused laugh, and she pushed
by him and entered the studio. you
the great paidter? No, nor and she
seated herself and looked at him def
antly.
But if she was at ease in her studio,
he was more so. Her quick woman's
eye noted this, and on the easel
there was already begun a canvas in
which she recognized the masters
touch.
Leonie was becoming i'll at ease. She
picked up little Hindoo god which |
stood on the table beside her, and fin
gered it nervously. Her hands trem-
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 a
servant entered, clad in livery and
wearing an apron, rendered necessary
by the fact of his cleaning brushes.
did monsieur ring?' he asked.
Leonie stared at him and grew white.
Yes, Jean, replied the artist. Cath
er up the fragments ofthis triae, which
madame has unfortunately broken.
Now" said he, tuaning to Leonie, "If
madame will kindly inform me to what
l 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 l have loved this heart
less, cruel, lying wretch!"
With sudden impulse of fury she
snatched up a pretty toy, a silver POM.
ard, which lay upon the table, and
sprang at Eugene. Quick as flash
the artist dashed between them. But
quick as he was he was to late. The
poniard struck Eugene in the side, in
flicting a deep wound. As he did so
Leonie uttered shrek and tainted
away.
Eugene's comedy had become a
tradgedy.
".frulya pretty sight for studio Of
an honest, Woodworking painter, y
groaned Jacquis 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
brilliant throng toward Leonie.
"My DEAR" said she when she reach
ed her, "you have read that novel Of
which all Paris is talking-'Les Deua
Princesses?'
0Yes., said Ieonie. at ia a charming