The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-10-06

and another face which
seems not unlike that of Miss Blagden.
At last, my task is completed. The pic
ture is mere "study," but it is care
full study withal. The old church you
recognize alta glance the figures-well.
we shall see.
The vicar has been busily spreading
report that have been painting pictures
OF the church. and there is curiosity to
see them. 1 now propose that one fine
day a very few of my Northampton
friends shall comes to see my work. The
circle is very select; Ihave invited only
Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding, the great Josiah,
Miss Blagden and Jim. I contrive, with
q diplomatic cunning for which 1 have
not before given myself credit, that
Nelly Spalding shall be admitted to
private view. She herself has been al
anxiety to see the picture, and pretend
that by great favor she shall see it before
any one else. Mine host of Red Lion
has prepared nice little luncheon, even
to some dry Pommery, which ''the great
Josiah "-as have been accustomed to
call him, possibly from the magnitude Of
his waistcoats-says he dotes upon. I
make malicious and unkind but per-
fectly just mental suggestion that in
early life "the great Josiah was better
acquainted with the merit of "'alf-and-
'alf" than dry champagne. Mine host
has done his best; and now / wait my
guests l feel nervous and excited
why, can hardly tell: but confess to
myself that shall be glad when my lit
tie symposium Is over.
Here at last. They troop upstairs
into the large room where my luncheon
is spread. Mr.. Josiah is looking very
large to-day. There is an air of iubilant
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
as usual and Mr.. Spaidlng seems to re-
gard the near prospect of lunch with
more evident satisfaction than he does
the prospect of an artistic treat Mr.
Bladgen suggests we had better step In
to see the picture-lunch has evidently
its attraction for " the great Josiah.
But tell him wait DR.. Brooke, at
which announcement he subsidies. Then
I sugguested to Miss Nelly that, with
her mothers's permission, she may now
have the picture all to herself for mo-
mentary peep. Mrs. Spalding, who is
deep with Miss Bladgen in the mysteries
of the manufacture of rhubarb- jam,
readily consents.
Nelly follows me into the room where
my picture stands covered with GRIM
son cloth on my easel. I close the door
and unveil it. Nelly glances at it for
moment; then growing deadly pale sinks
half -fainting- 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 were
going to repeat Nelly's procedure as he
glances at the picture. {" For heavens
sake, Regy," says Jim in hoarse voice,
"cover that picture upp'
Nelly opened her eyes in q moment or
two, which seemed to me like an age.
ion not unfamiliar to lovers, believe.
to clasp Jim around the neck, and her
words were few but decided "Jim.
dearl can never, never marry that
man will do whatever you wish me to.
But oh they have tried me SO p
What is it in my picture that has so
perturbed the lovers, and brought Nelly
Spalding to her senses Simply the IN
terror of the old church once again. A
ray of sunlight streaming through .
chink in the stained window falls on the
sad, pale, fearful face of q 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 coet me no
end of pains. Behind bride and BRIDE
groom comes the figures of Mr.. and Mrs.
Spalding and in the dim distance the
vicar Is seen still standing within the al.
tar rails. But the centra figure aftel
/ the bride herself is the young man,
| pale, motionless as o statue, who stands
in pew and whose ashy gaze is fixed OF
| the bride. The face of the man in the
pew is that of James Brooke. The pic.
| ture tells its own story to Nelly Spald.
ing. 1t places the possibility of the flu.
| ture before her eyes as she has never
dared to picture it to herself. II
reflects in all its naked truth the fate to
which through her indecision she may
commit herself and Jim. And it tells
its story SO we'll that art conquers diplo-
macy 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 DIR.
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 and
me.
As soon as Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding,
who closely follow Josiah, have entered
the room, Nelly to my surprise walks
quickly up to her father and takes his
hand. Father" said she, with trem.
ulous yet decisive tone, "you know the
message you brought me from MIR. Blag.
den this morning.? Give him my answe,
now. Tell him that am going to marry
DR.. Brooke"
Now, it is my opinion that, had the
discarded Josiah at this moment held
his tongue, he might have got both Mr.,
and Mrs. Spalding to speak word fol
him with Nelly. But as it was he de-
stroyed his own case at blow.
| Message from me ?-and this is my
answer !" he said in an angry voice
"Why, L care nowt-'ao,0t," he repeated
bitterly, "about the matter. guess il
was the lass's father and mother thai
wanted to marry Josiah Blagden's money
perhaps they wanted some of it fol
themselves"
The rudeness and vulgarity which
marked the man came out unmistakably
as he said these words and taking hi
sisters arm in his and casting a look. O
yindictive scorn at the doctor and my
self, he walked out at the door with al
ungainly strut which was meant for dig
nifty; and we saw the great Josiah nc
more.
Mrs. Spalding was especially cut ur
by the parting fling of Josiah, as it was
she who had manoeuvred the matter thut
far. Mr.. Spalding, on the other hand
burst into a jovial laugh, and taking his
daughters hand, placed it in that O.
DIR. Brooke.
After all had left the studio but Mr..
L