The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-02-26
vAUTREAU THE VAMPIRE.

Great heavens Monsieur NautTCau, you
can not be in earnest! "
al never joke-in business" was the
dry reply.
"But You know that could as well pay
the national debt as pay what owe you at
such short notice. Besides you are break.
ing faith with me- The understanding
was that you would take pictures instead
of money, and"
The usurer interposcd with uplifted fin
ger. "Pardon. The understanding was
that so long as you painted for me, and for
me alone, would forgive you the interest,
and not press you for the principal" He
darted his finger at the picture. You
meant to steal march upon me, hey?
Pshaw, don't talk Of breaking faith after
that"
81 wanted to have it exhibited; had
particular reason But | have worked
for you like galley-slave for the last three
years, and you know well that my pictures
have more than paid the debt Come now,
be frank; if | were to die tomorrow,
couldn't you sell them for triple what
you"
"If you were to die to-morow-perhaps;
but you are not going to do me that good
turn" the money-lender answered pleas
antly Frankly" he added, as he took
up his hat, 81 have enough of your pic
lures. They have fallen of, Of late, and
am beginning to fear, do you know, that
you have mistaken your vocation"
Leon bit his lip,
"And yet it is not long since you-"
"Prophesed great things of you; | re-
member But did not know then how
weak you were, how impatient, how easily
discouraged. And | did not know" he
added with a sour smile, "that you had
other prescriptions. Art is an eXacting
mistress, Monsieur Leclerc; she brooks no
divided allegiance. She has no smiles for
a suitor who sits idly dreaming of other
loves while daylight fades, and his colors
dry"
The artist flushed, and frowncd,
81 can not alter my circumstances or my
character" he answered shortly.
"Then ! should advise you to change
your profession" was the usurer's reply, as
he moved toward the door.
Leon threw down his palette and brushes
with an angry laugh.
"Indeed and what occupation should
you suggest, Monsieur Vautreau? Shall |
turn oil and color man, or add painting
and glazing to my present prolessiony"
"You might do worse. In any case you
will be kind enough not TO forget that little
matter of business. In weeks time |
shall expect to hear from you; if do not
You will hear from me. Good-day"
"Stay, lstenl" the artist pleaded, very
pale and grave now, following him to the
door; " be reasonable, 1t is your own in
terest not to press me too hard; l."
"Good-day,' repeated the other
"Give me time, at any rate; let me have
a chance Of"
"Good.day," reiterated the money-lcnder
for the third time, as he passed out
He paused on the threshold TO launch
one Parthan shaft
"You might as well have let me have
your picture, you see. 1t will probably be
in my possession this time next week"
The young man uttered a passionate in
articulale exclamation, and snatching up q
brush loaded with color dashed it across
the canvas
"There--take it now, If you like" ht
said recklessly.
But the sudden gust of passion subsdeC
in a moments the brush fell from his hand
he gazed in sort of horror at the delaceC
picture. What had he doneg 1t seemed
as if he had killed living creature, The
companion of his solitude the conhdant OF
all his hopes.
"That is finishing touch with a ven
geance," was his companions sarcastic
comment.
"Ay-in more senses than one" he an
swered quietly his face had grown sud
denly CAIN aud white; fms TO my wor
and my hopes. Adteu-dreams, delusion
and vanities.'"
And without another glance at the d,
faced canvas, he took ii from the easel, an
turned II face to the wall
The money.lender shrugged his SHOULD
ers, and left the room.
"A hasty young fool The best pctui
he has painted yet. He had no right
cheat me of IT," he muttered, as he d
scended the stairs.
Still, he felt uncomfortable. Looms viii
despairing face haunted him like r.
proach. He wished he had not been qui
so hard with The lad, who, after all, la
done him good work, though he had lallc
into dreamy, dilatory ways Of late.
word Of encouragement might have s.
him right again He tried 10 dismiss Il
thought, but il chung to him all the rest
the day, disturbing him with vague +
morse
That evening he left business Garlic
Than usual, reaching home before 81
o'clock
The lamp was not lighted in the sittin
room, and EdmGe sat at the open windo,
looking out drcamily into the soft sprip
dusk.
She turned toward him with WELDON
ing smile as he entered but did not spca
and soon resumed her dreamy gaze into Il
twilight.
There was something forlorn in the lon
" little figure, dimly outlined against Il
waning light
9f He had felt eexed and disappointed u
night before, but his resentment all die
out at the sight Of her
He came 10 her side and laid his hal
lightly on her shoulder.
N q Dreaming, Edncey"
She took the hand, and pressed II TO h
check with her iayorite little cares.
~No, 1 have been thinking. Thinkii
many thoughts, and some OF them s