The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-15

suddenly, and then paled in an instant.
Just then her former companion enter
ed the room.
81 am Leila Auvernay," she said,
hastily, "and this is Cecil Wyndham,
my-bctrothcd husband"
Not an 1ther word was said. AS the
young man approached, Carradine fell
back step and looked at the two. Ills
was fair handsome face, so little mark
ed as yet by time, that il would be hard
for an Impractical eye TO conjecture
with what lines the shaping character
would yet stamp it. Nevertheless, with
one keen gaze Carradine estimated
both present and future.
She said few low-spoken words to
her companion, who presently moved
toward Carradine, and addressed him.
81 have the honor of speaking TO Mr..
Carradine, the painter of this picture?'
Carradine bowed without speaking.
"Will you pardon me for asking If it
is fancy sketchY continued Mr..
Wyndham.
"Partly SO, but suggested by the face
of little girl" answered the artist.
"But the likeness is 30 very strik-
ingw muttered the young gentleman
81 must have it at any rate. OF
course you will part with il at your
own pricer
"The picture is not for sale," said
Carradine, quietly, still regarding the
young man with that cool, steady gaze
which had already caused him to be
tray hesitation, almost confusion
very unlike his usual easy confidence
lie seemed TO have an instructive
knowledge that the artist was measur
ing him, and to shrink from tha
measurement with unconscious dread
Carradine saw Leila Anvernay once
more before she returned to her home
In distant town. Then he took hi
picture from the academy walls, ant
hung ii in his studio, where his eyel
could find it whenever he looked ava,
from his wnrE- For he did not Civ,
up work; yet, among themselves, hi
friends pronounced him an altered man
and marvelcd what had caused so sub
tie difference. Always quiet, he nov
seemed to live in an ideal world of hi
own; and, whatever he might occup,
himself with, there was that in hi
manner which appeared TO imply tina
it was only temporary diversion un
til the coming of some event for which
he was waiting.
SO passed half year, at The end O
which there came letter to Carradine
1t was brief, but 1t was enough 10 as
sured him of that which he had beer
almost unconsciously expecting.
! The letter was from Leila Auvernay
He went TO her at once. She met hin
with laughing light in her eyes sucl
as he had not seen there when she stool
i'll the gallery beside her betrothed hus
band; light which recalled the merry
child who had smiled down OH him &c
long ago. "Mr. Carradine," she said
81 told you that my fortune was gone
but did not tell you how utterly il
had been swept away. l am nothing
better than a beggar. Will you TAKE
me for one of your students for chari
, ty's sake?"
i, He looked searehingly into her smil
ing face.
"And Mr.. Wyndham?" he asked il
a low voice.
f She laughed without so much as
flush of emotion.
"Mr. Wyndham has gone with tn,
, rest of my worldly possessions. Did
not say that l had lost everything
, You see, Mr.. Carradine, that am no
of as much worth now as my picture. ,
The words, as she said them, did no
seem bitter. lie took her hands.
"Lelia," he said, "docs your los
} make you unhappy"
"Do | look sor' sho asked gailv
GAS Tor the marriage, it WAS my father
wish, and to crafty his dying reques
| consented-before l knew my owl
heart" Here n quick vivid color sho
into her cheek, bit she went on
"There never was love on my side; ant
oil his well, money is more thar
. love-with some natures. l do no
wish to blame him."
i Carradine's grasp tightened on hel
hands.
II "Lelia" he said, "once your answer
put bar between us, when l spok,
, words that were surprised out of my
heart. Would It be so now, IL L shoult
say them once more? My love, m,
| life, will you come 10 meY'
"Will l come~ she repeated, looking
up in his eyes and drawing nearer
until his arms silently folded about her
And so Carradine found his love a
, last.