Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-04

Dut Sno was more bnan tnhb-Sno was
divine. She was q brunette, and had
the most delicate nose, the most spark
ling eyes, the most glorious hair and
the most admirable little hands and
feet that Eugene had ever seen. he
fattered himself that he was correctly
made up for his role. His velvet blouse
and jaunty cap were q little too clean,
perhaps, but that was good fault.
Nine. Leonie wanted her portrait
painted, and it was very difficult for her
to decide how it should be done. She
wavered long. One day she would be
Omphale; the next .she had decided
that to be represented as Salome was
necessary to her peace of mind. But
when Eugene had made his prepara.
tions his tickle goddess decided that
Delilah was the character that suited
her. And then she would wander
around the studio and drape herself
with the barbaric stuffs used by long
gone models and handle the curious
weapons and examine the porcelains.
And then she would say she was
weary and would come the next day.
And she would go, leaving Eugene de
Lassi deeper in love than ever.
AS for him, he was in dream. He
had retired from the world. At his own
quarters his door was daily stormed
by publishers, by managers, by printers
boys, by creditors and by friends. But
no one knew where he had gone. He
had told his servant he was going
away, but had not told him where. It
was wrong, decidedly wrong; but he
took certain ferocious Joy in it when
he thought how he himself had once
pursued these very same editors and
managers.
Eugene had at last discovered that
his inamorata was widow, wealthy
and of good family. Her full name was
Leonie de Morse. 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
transfer her to convass, particularly
atrocious tree which he had introduced
in the background attracted his atten-
tion.
"Jacques," said she, "don't you think
that you are-well, that you're losing
little of your skill ?"
"What p shouted Eugene.
"I mean-that is-I'm afraid that l
keey you so much from your work that
'T only hope that you may keep me
fIom it forever" returned the amorous
Eugene And SO the dangerous mo.
ment passed.
But this state 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 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 answer to high-spirited woman fo1
the deception he had practiced upon
her? As to persuading jacques to con-
sent to any arrangement for keeping up
the deception, that was out of the ques-
ton; where his art was concerned the
painter would prove as deaf as post,
and as unmanageable as balky horse.
So Eugene was puzzled. Finally a
bright idea occurred to him.
"Why not" thought he, "give q
comic turn to the affair. If properly
done, Leonie will be disarmed. She is
easily moved to laughter, and then ]
will explain and beg her forgiveness y
Alasl Poor Eugens's idea was not 0
happy one.
The next day when Leonie came il
was Jacques who met her at the door
He was in a blue blouse, cap, and car.
ried palette and brushes.
"Can I see M. Bruhiere?" she asked
with some little surprise.
"That is my name, madame" replied
the painter.
a!"You Jacques Bruhiere" said sh'
with an amushed laugh, and she pushed
by him and entered the studio. "Yo,
the great painter? No, no |" and sh,
seated herself and looked at him def
antly.
But if she was at ease in the studio
he was more SO. Her quick woman'l
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