Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-11-23

the beach formed curve resembling a
horseshoe, was IN old boat, turned bot
tom upward; some few feet off, the fig
ure of young man, apparently walking
hurrielly away. Although the face
was not visible, the ga2er felt that the
man suffered; that the glorious sunset
was this day as naught to. him. Per-
haps it was in the tightly-clasped hand,
the veins OF which stood ont like great
cords, or, maybe the mans apparent
diregard of his surroundings.
To the right of the picture the figure
of young girl, trailing parasol in
the sand. as she appeared to move slowly
in the opposite direction from her COM
panion. Only little bit OF delicateIy
shaped ear and a mass of glossy braids
showed from beneath the shade hat,
but one could readily bdlieve that the
pretty girlish figure belonged to an
equally attractive face.
About half way between them, traced
upon the sands, were the words, Fame
versus Love-"
"Is it not lovely. Elwin?" and Mrs.
Bennett laid her hand upon her hus-
bands arm as she added:
"Yet how sad it somehow seems. /
can't help feeling sorry for them. /
wish could see their faces. feel as
if wanted to turn them round"
Clasping the little hand that rested
so confdingly upon his arm, Edwin
Bennett inwardly thanked God for the
gilt of his fair young wife, as he said:
"Come, dear, they are commencing
to close up. Baby's tired, too"
"Ess. mes tired. Baby wants to
tiss mamma" lisped the child, holding
out her tiny arms.
Husband and wife faIled to notice
lady who stood near, gazing at paint
ing. AS the pretty young mother
stopped down to receive her baby's
kisses, which the little one lavished on
her cheeks. lips and brow, a deep,
yearning look gathered in the strange
lady's eyes and she turned hastily away.
"Oh, Edwin!" exclaimed his wife, as
they passed the silent figure in black.
"Wouldn't it be nice if baby should
grow up to be a great artist like this
Miss Armstrong"
''God forbid, Annie, came the earn
est reply, followed by, get her grow to
be true, loving woman, that is all 1
ask" The Iady's hand frightened its
hold upon the back of a settee as the
words reached her ears, but she did not
move until they We're out. Then lifting
her veil she went and stood before the
painting that had won such fame. Tears
gathered IN her eyes as she gazed, and
with the words, 'I will never look at it
again" she, too, passed out of the
building, and in her own handsome
carriage was driven home.
Scorn shone In her dark eyes as they
fell upon the costly works of art scat
tered in lavish profusion about her luxu-
riously furnished apartments. Hastily
throwing aside her wraps, she crossed
over TO a mirror. A very handsome
face it reflected. Not looking The thirty
years it had known.
helen Armstrong-for it was She
had heard of Edwin Benefits marriage:
heard that he had succeeded in business
beyond his most sanguine expectations;
heard that his wife was one of the love-
liest and gentlest of women, and that
Edwin Bennett idolized both wife aud
child. This day she had seen them.
Then came the thought that she might
have stood in that wife's place; she, too,
might have had those baby lips pressed
as lovingly to hers; but she had put it
from her. She had chosen Fame versus
Love. If she could only 60 back to
that day on the sands, how differently
she would now act.
Turning away from the mirror, she
exclaimed, bitterly;
'"roo late, Helen Armstrong. AS
you have sown SO must YOU reap"