Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-23
WHOLE NUMBER, 500.

family. '.s'. 3'-.f-'
"Yes." he answered. with formal
politeness; "it seems to be one OF the
painters finest works"
Romayne looked at him In uncon.
sealed wonder. To what fiat common.
place Winterield's lively enthusiasm had
sunk in Stella's presence She perceived
that some unfavorable impression had
been produced on her husband, and
interposed with timely suggestion.
Her motive was not only to divert
Romayne's attention from Winterield,
but to give him reason for leaving the
room.
The little water-color drawing in my
bedroom is by the same artist" she said.
"Mr. Winterfeld might like to see it.
If you will ring the belb Lewis, I will
send my maid for it." ,.}
Romayne had never allowed the SER
wants to touch his works OF art since
the day when Jealous hopsemaid had
tried to wash one Of HIS plaster casts.
He made the reply which his wife had
anticipated. re r- #a't
mo, mol" he said, 81 will fetch the
drawing myself He turned gayly to
Winterfeli. Prepare yourself for an.
other worl7 that you would like to kiss"
He smiled and lot the room. ''''
The instant til door was closed Stella
approached Winterfeld Her beautiful
face became distorted by mingled eI.
preston of rage and contempt. She
spoke to Lin in fierce, peremptory
whisper.
Have you any consideration for me
left p" IL t'''4'
His look at Ler, as she put that ques.
tion, revealed the most complete con.
trast between his face and hers. Com
passionate sorrow was in his eyes. tender
forbearance and respect spoke in his
tones, rs he answered her.
81 have more than consideration for
you, Stella" 8 -- 9io'9.
She angrily interrupted him.
"How dare you call me by my Chris.
tian name?" "C f-
He demonstrated with q gentleness
that might have touched the heart Of
any woman.
"Do you still refuse to believe that
never deceived you ?" Has time not
softened your heart to me yet?"
She was more contemptuous toward
him than ever.
"Spare me your protestations," she
said 81 heard enough Of them two
years since. Will you do what ask Of
your
"You know that I will"
"put an end to your acquaintance with
my husband. Put an end to IT," she re-
peated, vehemently "from this day, at
once and foreverl Can trust you to do
itY
"Do you think I would have entered
this house il 1 had known he was your
husband?" He made that reply with
sudden change in him-with q rising
color and in firm tones Of indignation.
In moment more his voice softened
again, old his kind blue eyes rested on
her sadly and devotedly. "You can
trust me to do more than you ask" he
resumed. "You have made o mistake
What mistaken"
"When Mr.. Romayne introduced us
.ou met me like stranger-and you
left me no choice but to do as you did,
~ wish you to be stranger"
Her sharpest replies made no change
in his manner. He spoke as kindly and
as patiently as ever.
"You forget that you and your mother
were my guests at Beaupark two years
ago"
Stella understood what lie meant, and
more. In an instant she remembered
that Father Denweli had been ut Beau
park house. Had he heard OF the visit?
She clasped her hands in speechless
terror.
Winterfeld gcntly reassured her.
"You must not be frightened" he
said. at is in the last degree unlikely
that Mr.. Ramayne will ever find out
that you were at my house. If he does.
and ii you deny it, I will do for you
what 1 would do for no other human
creature-I will deny it, too. You are
safe from discovery. Be happy-and
forget me-"
For the first time she showed signs OF
relenting turned her head away
and sighed. Although her mind was
full of the serious necessity Of warning
him against Father Benwell, she had
not even command enough over her own
voice to ask how he had become &C.
quainted with the priest. His manly
devotion, the perfect and pathetic sim
cerity of his respect, pleaded with her,
In spite of herself. For moment she
paused to recover her composure. In
that moment Romayne returned to them
with the drawing in his hand.
"There!" he said. "It's nothing this
time but some children gathering flowers
on the outskirts of q wood. What do